KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1:  The 47th Kuwait International Book Fair concluded on Saturday, attracting approximately 393,000 visitors. The event showcased over 244,000 titles presented by 587 publishing houses from 19 Arab and 12 foreign countries.

The 10-day event, held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, featured 400 direct participants, 187 via authorizations, and 38 publishers making their debut appearance.

Fair Director Khalifa Al-Rabah, speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), highlighted the listing of over 244,000 titles, including around 165,000 newly published works.

Al-Rabah noted that this year’s edition featured approximately 90 cultural events, including workshops, symposiums, lectures, and dialogue sessions. These activities were hosted across venues such as the Cultural Corridor, Cultural Café, and Writer and Book Corner. The events were organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters in collaboration with state institutions, public benefit associations, and participating organizations.

The fair also placed a special emphasis on children, offering dedicated publishing houses and cultural and entertainment programs tailored to young visitors. Al-Rabah praised the efforts of state institutions in facilitating the attendance of around 197,000 students from 685 schools, institutes, and colleges through organized trips.

This year’s session was held under the slogan “The World in a Book,” underscoring the significance of books in promoting cultural awareness.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghunaim was honored as the personality of the exhibition for his substantial contributions to Kuwaiti culture and history. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was celebrated as the guest of honor for this year’s edition.