Iraq will be this year’s guest-of-honor country at the Riyadh International Book Fair, Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan announced on Thursday. The most-awaited literary carnival in the capital, which aims to facilitate quality exchanges between authors, publishers and readers, will start its 10-day run on October 1. Prince Badr said: "Choosing Iraq comes in the context of the brotherly relations that unite the two brotherly peoples of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and in the framework of the joint efforts of the two countries to enhance cooperation in all fields, including the cultural field." "Iraqi culture, depth and diversity will enrich the Riyadh book fair activities," he added. This year"s book fair will be held under the auspices of the Literature Publishing and Translation Commission, for the first time, after the previous year"s book fair was canceled due to preventive measures taken by the Kingdom against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Literature Publishing and Translation Commission, one of 11 new commissions set up by the Ministry of Culture last year, has announced it will double the size of the Riyadh book fair to attract the best publishing houses around the world. The commission intends to attract the best local, Arab and international publishing houses and provide distinguished content for the public according to high-level criteria that satisfy readers and visitors" needs and places Riyadh International Book Fair among the big international book events. The Riyadh International Book Fair will include for the first time an international conference for publishers to strengthen communication between local, Arab and international publishing houses, activate partnerships between related institutions and companies, and sustainably enrich the regional scene through discussion sessions, interactive activities, workshops and seminars.