Jeddah, Rabi'I 25, 1439, December 13, 2017, SPA -- Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad highlighted the opening of Jeddah International Book Fair in its third session of 2017 as an extension of the cultural reality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He made the remarks in a press statement on the occasion, explaining that the fair is held this year with the participation of more than 500 publishing houses, representing about 42 countries. He pointed out that the exhibition witnessed this year an important addition to the activation of aspects of culture, most notably the establishment of cultural events by five friendly countries, China, Japan, Turkmenistan, the European Union and the United States of America. --SPA 23:47 LOCAL TIME 20:47 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w562654