Muscat: His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, will preside over the opening of the 26th edition of Muscat International Book Fair, which will run from 24 February to 5 March at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
After a one-year break (in 2021) due to COVID-19 pandemic, the extravaganza will boast a strong comeback and host an elite selection of literati, media personnel, publishers and exhibitors.
This was stated by Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, Chairman of the Main Committee of Muscat International Book Fair, as he addressed the media during a press conference held at the Information Ministry on Wednesday.
The minister said that the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah will be the Guest of Honour this year. It will showcase a wide range of programmes and cultural activities carrying the insignia of its heritage and cultural legacy throughout the days of the book fair.
The decision to hold the book fair this year was the outcome of extensive study bearing in mind all concerns and interests. Strict precautionary measures were devised by a specialised technical and health team to ensure the safety of all visitors of the book fair, Dr. Abdullah explained.
The Minister said that the guests this year will include an elite selection of literati, media personnel and the Chairman of Arab Publishers’ Association.
Meanwhile, Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, gave an overview of activities to be held as part of Muscat International Book Fair.
As many as 114 cultural activities, among them 29 unique to the South A’Sharqiyah Governorate, will be staged, but children’s activities will be limited to 85 in line with COVID-19 precautionary measures, added Sayyid Said .
On his turn, Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, Director of Muscat International Book Fair, said that 570 publishers from 27 countries will exhibit their publications directly at the book fair, while 145 will participate through agents, taking the total to 715 publishers and 361,230 titles.
Al Rawahi explained that lounge will comprise the Guest of Honour wing, open halls named after Arab and Omani celebrities and wings dedicated to official departments, leading initiatives, sponsors and radio channels.
He pointed out that a special team will be tasked with following up the implementation of precautionary measures. It will ensure that no gatherings take place in the corridors or in the wings of the book fair or activities halls.
The authorities concerned will coordinate with the Ministry of Education to arrange school visits to the venue, said Al Rawahi, adding that logistic incentives will be extended to tour operators and firms engaged in transporting individuals to and from the book fair.
