The governorate’s cultural programme consists of educational seminars, lectures, poetry evenings and discussion panels that will see the participation of an elite group of intellectuals, authors and literati. The display also includes antiques, sculptures, manuscripts and distinctive documents related to the history of the governorate, as well as visual presentations on tourism landmarks. A corner at the pavilion is dedicated to signatures of the governorate’s writers and literati, to celebrate their contributions.
The chief guest also inaugurated the Oman Youth Encyclopaedia (OYE), whose entries are derived from the original Oman Encyclopaedia in an orderly manner that pertains to the target age group.
Key features of the OYE highlight the themes of citizenship, cognitive values and rich data that appeal to the youth segment, notably scientific innovations and related matters.
In his speech, the chief guest said, “Today we celebrate the opening of the 28thedition of Muscat International Book Fair, the illustrious event that gathered momentum year after year, since its first inception in 1992, writing new chapters of dazzling development in the book industry, publishing, and culture.”
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“The book fair has experienced continuous growth and updates that keep pace with the latest global developments, affirming its international status as a lighthouse that illuminates the arenas of culture and scholarly development of our society,” Al Maamari added.
The cultural program of the governorate includes educational seminars, lectures, poetry evenings, and discussion panels with the participation of distinguished intellectuals, authors, and literati. The exhibition also showcases antiques, sculptures, manuscripts, and historical documents related to the governorate's history, along with visual presentations on tourist attractions. A special section at the pavilion is dedicated to the signatures of the governorate's writers and literati, honoring their contributions.
The chief guest inaugurated the Oman Youth Encyclopaedia (OYE), which features entries derived from the original Oman Encyclopaedia in an organized manner tailored to the target age group.
Key aspects of the OYE focus on citizenship, cognitive values, and valuable information that resonates with the youth, particularly scientific innovations and related topics.
During his address, the chief guest remarked, "Today, we mark the opening of the 28th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair, a prestigious event that has grown year by year since its inception in 1992, shaping new chapters of progress in the book industry, publishing, and culture."
"The book fair has evolved and adapted to keep up with global advancements, solidifying its international reputation as a beacon guiding the realms of culture and intellectual growth in our society," Al Maamari concluded.
He said that the elaborate preparations for the cultural extravaganza showcased the remarkable progress made by Omani publishing houses and their valuable contribution to enhancing the readers' experience.
Al Maamari highlighted the increasing number of participating countries and the diverse cultural programs as a reflection of the sincere efforts of individuals, supporting institutions, and the Ministry of Information in organizing the event.
He described these initiatives as a firm commitment to continuously improving the Muscat International Book Fair, emphasizing its noble goal of inspiring knowledge, expanding the book market, and enriching the Omani library with the latest publications from international publishing houses and scholarly domains.
Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture and Deputy Chairman of the book fair's main committee, stated that the Muscat International Book Fair is one of the most important cultural events in the Sultanate of Oman.
He noted that the book fair provides a significant opportunity for knowledge exchange and cultural dialogue, particularly through interactions among intellectuals, media professionals, and authors. He observed that the Muscat International Book Fair is an exceptional cultural platform.
In a statement to ONA, Al Busaidi mentioned that the 28th edition of the book fair will feature various activities organized by the Cultural Committee, government institutions, and private establishments. These activities include poetry evenings, symposiums, lectures, training seminars, and theatrical performances.
Moreover, there will be an exclusive cultural program focusing on Al Dhahirah Governorate. Two dialogue sessions are scheduled, one dedicated to the late actor Saud Al Darmaki and the other to the late director and playwright Mohammed Al Muhandis Al Yaf’ee.
Al Busaidi emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) will be the main theme of this year's book fair, recognizing its significance across all sectors. He also mentioned that AI will be a focal point in children and family-oriented events.
Najeeb Ali Al Rowas, Governor of Al Dhahirah, expressed his pride in selecting Al Dhahirah Governorate as the guest of honor for the 28th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair. He highlighted that this event offers a great opportunity to showcase the cultural, artistic, and literary aspects of the governorate, deeply rooted in Oman's rich culture and heritage.
Al Rowas further stated, “This hosting shines a light on the cultural, literary, and scholarly dimensions of the governorate, along with its ancient history that has significantly contributed to enriching Omani heritage over the years. It underscores the governorate's illustrious heritage and supports initiatives aimed at highlighting the sources of civilization across the country.”
Al Rowas informed ONA that the Al Dhahirah Governorate has organized a diverse range of activities as part of their program. This year, they will be showcasing prominent development projects that are specific to the governorate. Additionally, there is an innovation corner dedicated to the achievements of students from Al Dhahirah Governorate. Furthermore, there will be a special edition featuring 32 publications by authors from the governorate.
The book fair has attracted the participation of 847 publishing houses from 34 countries. Out of these, 676 publishers are directly participating, while 171 others are participating through agents.
The book fair's website lists a total of 622,000 titles, including approximately 269,000 Arabic books and 200,000 foreign books. The Omani collection consists of 19,000 books. Moreover, there have been around 35,989 newly issued publications between 2023 and 2024.
Various events have been organized for children and families, such as workshops, an Arabic language corner, a children's museum, a green corner for environment-friendly activities, and cultural cafés.
Throughout the book fair, there will be book signing ceremonies featuring the participation of several authors. Additionally, there will be signing ceremonies for agreements, where institutions will sign contracts with authors and carry out related procedures.
The Data Centre at the book fair provides a range of services, such as electronic application, mobile indexing, and a 3-D map of the Muscat International Book Fair 2024. In order to support local SMEs, the book fair has expanded its service facilities to include restaurants located in the front garden of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Additionally, electronic payment methods are now available in collaboration with Bank Dhofar, the official banking partner for this edition of the book fair.
