Deputy Prime Minister His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on Thursday inaugurated the 21st Al Ayam Cultural Festival at the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by government ministers and senior officials in the Kingdom, several members of the Shura Council and diplomatic corps, intellectuals and invitees.
His Highness toured the gallery pavilions and viewed cultural, media and literary books on display from various participating publishers.
His Highness stated Al Ayam Book Festival contributes into increased knowledge and creative abilities through the participation of Bahrain's, Arab and international publishing houses, commending Al Ayam Corporation's provision of this rare opportunity each and every year to intellectuals in the Kingdom to follow latest local, Arab and international publications.
His Highness praised the rich diversity and participation of more than 150 Arab and overseas publishing houses, writers, novelists, etc. as well as the good organizing and showcasing of various intellectual, cultural and literary activities, wishing the Festival's organisers at Al Ayam Publishing Corporation and all participants success.
Al Ayam Book Fair brings more than 400,000 book titles in various aspects of knowledge and intellect.