Rare manuscripts on show at international book fair
RIYADH: Visitors to the King Fahd National Library pavilion at the 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair have been captivated by a collection of six rare historical manuscripts.
Among the treasures on display is an Arabic Qur’an manuscript dating back to 1009 AH featuring Persian interpretations in the margins, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Other highlights include a Hebrew scroll and a manuscript of Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziya’s “Al-Kafiyah Ash-Shafiyah” from 1274 AH.
Since its establishment in 1983, the library has been dedicated to acquiring, organizing, preserving and disseminating intellectual works. Today it is a national institution housing over 6,000 rare original manuscripts.
The library’s book fair pavilion features several sections that highlight its various roles and contributions.
The manuscripts and rare books section features a collection of cultural and intellectual treasures, while the registration section demonstrates the library’s commitment to documenting and preserving Saudi intellectual and cultural heritage. An interactive screen section provides visitors with informative videos about the library’s services and activities.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts pavilion offers experiences that combine exploration, entertainment and education by presenting the traditional art of Al-Sadu. The art form is a national heritage and a craft passed down through generations.
The pavilion gives visitors the chance to discover Al-Sadu tools and techniques and features a visual display of the weaving stages, as well as a coloring activity that features Al-Sadu patterns. It aims to enhance the Saudi national identity for both local and international visitors, highlighting the craft’s cultural value.
The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which organizes the book fair, has introduced advanced technological services to elevate this year’s visitor experience. Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role with robots equipped to communicate in multiple languages stationed throughout the fair.
They assist visitors in navigating the event, helping them locate publishing houses and specific books, and offer audio summaries that highlight key themes and content.
Participating pavilions have fully embraced digital technology, with many publishers integrating interactive digital devices, AI-operated robots and informative screens into their exhibitions. Some booths even feature printing devices that allow visitors to obtain stories and publications on demand.
The fair, under the theme “Riyadh Reads,” runs until Oct. 5 at King Saud University. More than 2,000 publishing houses from over 30 countries are participating, spread across over 800 pavilions.
The fair also features Saudi, Arab and international cultural organizations and institutions, making it a key platform for publishers, intellectual and cultural exchange, and a meeting point for writers, thinkers, and culture and book enthusiasts from both within and outside the Kingdom.
This year’s guest of honor is Qatar, offering visitors a rich cultural experience that emphasizes the country’s literary and intellectual achievements, cultural heritage, history and diverse arts.
