The fair is scheduled to be held from Oct. 1 to Oct. 10 RIYADH: Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced Iraq as the guest of honor at the Riyadh International Book Fair in October, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event is being organized and supervised by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. Prince Badr said: “Selecting Iraq comes in the context of relations between the Saudi and Iraqi peoples, and in the framework of the two countries’ joint efforts to enhance cooperation in all areas of development, including the cultural one.” He praised the depth and diversity of Iraqi culture which, he said, would enrich the fair. Iraq’s selection as the guest of honor would also contribute to creating interactions between the Saudi public and Iraqi intellectuals. The fair is scheduled to be held from Oct. 1 to Oct. 10. It is being described as the largest book fair in the region, in terms of visitor numbers, sales volume and diversity of cultural programs.