Ahwal Al-Ma'rifa – Special

In a notable cultural initiative that brings together heritage and modernity, the 31st Rabat International Book Fair brings together French writer Annie Ernaux, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, and the renowned Arab traveler and chronicler Ibn Battuta, as part of the cultural activities organized by the fair, with France selected as the Guest of Honor.

The fair will open on April 30, 2026, in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, with the participation of 60 countries and 890 publishers, and will continue until May 10, 2026.

The fair is organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Department of Culture) at the OLM Souissi venue. It features 200 cultural events and takes place as Rabat celebrates its designation as the World Book Capital 2026. More than 130,000 titles will be showcased, with 720 guests expected to attend.

The King Abdulaziz Public Library is participating in the fair under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture, represented by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. The library is presenting a selection of its richly illustrated publications on Saudi, Arab, and Islamic heritage. It is also showcasing a collection of books by Western travelers who visited the Arabian Peninsula and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which the library translated and published, in addition to the comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The library is also participating with a selection of its children’s publications for different age groups, including stories, reading activities, and interactive activities.

Through its participation, the library is also introducing some of its most prominent cultural programs, including the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China, the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation, the Unified Arabic Index, the Renewing the Connection with the Book Initiative, and Children’s Libraries.

The library is also highlighting its specialized exhibitions showcasing Saudi creativity and the Kingdom’s heritage, as well as exhibitions dedicated to Arab and Islamic culture