The 39th Kuwait International Book Fair, sponsored by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, will start on Wednesday, said Assistant Secretary General of National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Dr. Bader Al-Duwaish.
Al-Duwaish said at a press conference here on Monday that the fair represents Kuwait's cultural role, adding it is an important gathering for many writers, publishers and officials to come together.
"The fair provides real opportunities to publishers to communicate directly with readers," he said, adding that the publishing houses are keen on participating in Kuwait's book fairs due to their importance.
Al-Duwaish stressed that the management of the book fair is keen on targeting a large number of publishing houses that provide diversified publications to the readers.
The event will be opened by Minister of Information, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and the President of NCCAL Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.
For his part, Saad Al-Mutairi, the director of the book fair, said that about 28 countries, including 519 publishing houses, have announced their participations in the event.
He added a large number of books written in Arabic and other foreign languages will be in the book fair, noting that there are workshops designed for reading in English language and programs for children.
He pointed out that the NCCAL will get a pavilion to exhibit different books on the world of knowledge, thought and culture and world editions which are highly attracted by the public.
Writers, thinkers and poets will participate with literary works at a culture meeting that coincides with the book fair.