Kuwait Book Fair shows state support to culture: Minister
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Book Fair is a cultural event that reflects the state’s high interest in culture, said Information Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Chairman of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. The 40th Kuwait Book Fair is sponsored by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, implying the Premier’s staunch belief in the role of culture in Kuwait, Sheikh Salman added in a press statement after opening the event.
The Fair includes many pavilions where more than 500 publishers are offering about 10,000 book titles, the minister said. Sheikh Salman lauded youth effective participation in the fair with their writings, as well as their organizing efforts, expressing pleasure to see many students at the fair.
The minister hoped that the fair would fulfill its role for backing culture in Kuwait, also through a multitude of lectures on youth, toleration and moderation. Sheikh Salman thanked event officials for their hard efforts, and welcomed exhibitors from Arab and other friendly countries for their participation.
Major event
In a similar statement, NCCAL Secretary General Ali Al-Yoha underlined the importance of the event as one of the major Arab book fairs. He added that they are marking the 40th anniversary of the fair. Yoha noted that a huge section of the Kuwaiti society is interested in reading, with a strong individual purchasing power.
The fair includes various cultural activities, covering plastic art and photography in addition to discussions on major issues, and poetical and literary events. According to the NCCAL official, the council’s strategy focuses on encouraging children and the young to read. “We are looking forward to launching a national program for reading by next year in coordination with the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Arabic language
Sheikh Salman had stated at the event’s inauguration that the Kuwaiti Book Fair is a significant cultural mark “on the Arab cultural map,” and affirmed that holding of the annual exhibition “bolsters our efforts to promote the Arabic language and the reading culture in the society.” “We are in bad need for boosting the culture role for enlightening peoples vis-a-vis the aggression of dark thoughts that utterly contradict tolerance and the values of religions and humanity,” he said.