Muscat: The 29th Muscat International Book Fair saw a 64. 81% increase in visitors, drawing 649,589 visitors as opposed to 394,172 in the previous edition. The fair's preeminent cultural standing and prominent position on the world events map are evidenced by this large attendance.
The Director of the Muscat International Book Fair, Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that "with each edition, we strive to offer programs that align with the aspirations and interests of all groups across various fields of knowledge. ". The 29th edition of this year's event, which took place in the North A'Sharqiyah Governorate and included Saudi cultural days as well as attendees from Asia, Europe, and South America, was noticeably more varied and energetic at all levels—local, Arab, and international. .
He said that the fair's diversity was reflected in the dialogue sessions, lectures, workshops, and an increased children's program, all of which supported the 29th edition's overarching theme of "Cultural Diversity: Enriching Global Civilizations. ". These initiatives aided in drawing a larger audience.
By meticulously planning and constantly improving, the organizing committee hopes to capitalize on this momentum by providing human knowledge in all its forms and to people of all ages, according to Al Rawahi. In addition to aligning with the cultural and intellectual advancement of mankind and benefiting Omani society, this method benefits books, readers, and publishers.
He said that the increase in attendance was the result of improved organizational initiatives and a more varied program that took into account audience interests and lessons learned from prior editions. Visitors liked the fair's better layout and diverse activities.
The fair's importance was further emphasized by the participation of well-known cultural personalities and considerable media coverage, which drew in more attendees despite its unusual early summer timing.
This year's fair featured a number of changes and enhancements, such as greater diversity in the program and global engagement in events and displays.
The guest of honor pavilion, which was devoted to the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, combined tradition and modernity in a novel and aesthetically appealing design that highlighted the region's history and natural splendor.
Furthermore, the arts corner included displays that paid tribute to deceased Omani poets and artists, showcasing their contributions to the fields of art and poetry, which added to the appeal for tourists.
Al Rawahi emphasized that the fair's accompanying program included 366 varied events, with specialized workshops and workshops for children seeing especially high attendance, when discussing the most intriguing cultural activities.
The Muscat International Book Fair, which highlighted its significance in fostering culture and knowledge, received widespread media attention both domestically and internationally, with 70 reporters from 37 foreign media outlets.
The fair featured a total of 681,041 titles from 674 publishing companies from 35 countries this year—640 of them participating directly and 34 through agents. These titles included about 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign titles, and 27,464 Omani publications. Additionally, it showcased about 52,205 recently printed books (2024–2025).
