PVLF 2026

Madinah Book Fair 2025 Ends with Literary & Cultural Buzz

Madinah Book Fair 2025 wrapped up with 300+ publishers, VR tours, seminars, and cultural showcases, boosting Saudi Arabia’s literary spirit.
on Aug 06, 2025

The fourth Madinah Book Fair, hosted at the King Salman International Convention Centre, concluded on August 4 after a week-long extravaganza of the rich literary and creative heartbeat of Saudi Arabia and the broader region.

Hosted by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the fair included more than 300 local, regional and international publishers under the auspices of over 200 pavilions, which provided visitors with a multifaceted and immersive cultural experience.

Prince Salman bin Sultan, Madinah Region governor, was one of the first to attend, underscored by the event's importance in the Kingdom's cultural calendar.

Bassam al-Bassam, Publishing General Manager at the Commission, underlined the organisers' dedication to innovation.

"Taking on board feedback from the previous year's fair, we brought in improvements this year," he explained.

There is a new Saudi publishing corner that assists self-publishing authors, giving them a platform to promote and sell their work, said Bassam.

The commission's cultural programmes also comprise events meant to instill reading love in younger generations, as well as interesting entertainment for children, he added.

The CEO of the commission, Abdul Latif al-Wasel, referred to this year's fair as a reflection of the kingdom's unwavering commitment to cultural growth, highlighting Madinah's critical position in the Saudi cultural scene.

Aside from book sales, the fair provided a rich intellectual space. Attendees had access to seminars, panel discussions and workshops that addressed a broad range of issues, ranging from the force of language and the position of artificial intelligence in knowledge development to the intricacies of translation and the cultural relevance of Hajj and Umrah. Historically related stories about Madinah itself provided depth to literary content.

Creativity had no boundaries. UK publisher Harper's Books and Creativity Products drew visitors with their art therapy packs, such as paint-by-numbers sets.

Another highlight was Ana Al-Madinah, which offered virtual reality experiences that took visitors 1,400 years back in time to the time of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

"Our participation provides a unique opportunity to experience Madinah and Makkah as they were," company representative Ammar Mohammed explained.

The seven-minute virtual tour of Madinah and eleven-minute tour of Makkah permitted them to travel to landmarks in history and see everyday life from centuries ago.

The pavilion of the ministry of culture, dedicated to the "Year of Handicrafts," commemorated Saudi Arabia's rich traditional crafts with a special emphasis on women's achievements. The stands clearly demonstrate the craftsmanship and cultural richness of Saudi arts, noted Ghalya Kanaani, highlighting the need to preserve and uphold these traditions. Foreign participation gave the event an international flair.

Marvin Pepito, of UAE-based English-language publisher Little Puffin, complimented the active and respectful crowd, noting an increasing interest in English literature among the crowds.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission works towards establishing a sustainable national publishing industry that supports creators, distributes Saudi content across the world and strengthens strong rights exchanges.

In this context, the Madinah Book Fair is not just an annual cultural event; it is a landmark in the kingdom's continuous endeavor to tap into the energy of words and invest in knowledge for the future.

The fair this year also featured a special section that sold discounted books, demonstrating the organisers' zeal to make knowledge available to everyone.

Spanning a wide array of topics, including literature and history, science and children's books in both English and Arabic, the section is now the most visited attraction.

The fact that the section was not over-embellished merely added to the appeal. The opportunity for people to find literary gems without breaking the bank struck a chord with readers. This project is aligned with the overall vision of inspiring reading and book ownership across generations, adding richness to the kingdom's cultural texture.

During the fair, guests participated in a diverse programme of intellectual seminars, workshops and literary nights, with leading local and international authors.

The book-signing corner offered a warm environment for readers to meet with writers and explore their works of imagination.

The vibrant setting, combining tradition and creativity, served to raise the reputation of books and promote a prosperous culture of reading, discussion and knowledge sharing within the very core of Madinah.