RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah announced the selection of Syria as the guest of honor for the 2026 Riyadh International Book Fair, scheduled to take place in October.The announcement was made by Prince Badr on Monday in his capacity as chairman of the board of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which organizes and oversees the annual book fair.Prince Badr said the choice reflects the depth of Saudi-Syrian cultural relations, founded on partnership and mutual respect, and aligns with the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cultural exchange as part of the national strategy.He noted that the ministry places particular emphasis on sustaining constructive dialogue between peoples, promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s active role in the Arab and international cultural landscape.Prince Badr highlighted Syria’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, saying its participation will add depth to the 2026 edition of the fair and create a wide interactive space between Saudi and Syrian audiences, writers, intellectuals, and creative works.He added that selecting Syria as guest of honor will enhance cultural engagement between the two countries and enrich the fair’s intellectual and artistic offerings.The 2026 Riyadh International Book Fair will be held in October and will be organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission under a vision aimed at reinforcing the event’s status as the region’s largest book fair in terms of visitor numbers, sales volume, and diversity of cultural programming.