Publishers, bookstores and those who deal in e-learning packages have shown far better interest in the 27th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair (MIBF) than in previous editions.
Nearly three weeks are left for the 10-day MBIF 2023, which is scheduled to open on February 22.
The MBIF has emerged as one of the largest book fairs in the region since its launch in 1992. In 2022 there were over 360,000 titles on display, with the participation of 715 publishing houses from 27 countries. The guest of honour of MBIF 2022 was Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
MIBF has recorded an upward trend on various levels, including the number of participating countries, the number of participating publishing houses, spaces and public attendance.
“There has been a tremendous response for participation in the MIBF 2023, and we are expecting more than 300,000 visitors,” a source from the MIBF organisers said.
A main committee with Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, as Chairman, and Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, as Vice-Chairman has been formed.
Other members of the committee are HH Sayyid Dr Fahd bin Al Julanda al Said, Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Education for Education, and Mohammed bin Said al Balushi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Information.
“MIBF 2023 will include a diverse range of cultural programmes, including academic, cultural, literary and scientific,” said Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information and Chairman of the Main Committee of Muscat International Book Fair.
“MIBF is an opportunity for all of us, as readers, researchers, academics and students, to pursue our interests to the maximum extent possible,” he added.
It will give more attention to the future sciences, providing access to a wide repository of knowledge and also include family and children’s programmes fulfilling their educational aspirations and facilitating the development of skills.
Participation in the exhibition, which runs till March 4, is open to publishing houses, libraries, cultural institutions, research centres, associations, universities and international organisations and is limited to books and publications, as well as electronic books.
In addition, a media centre titled ‘Jalees’ is constituted as the main source of official information related to the fair. The team, jointly run by the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, will monitor social media accounts and broadcast news of all exhibition activities through live coverage. It will also provide specific data and statistics related to the exhibition and announcements of the latest updates, thus linking the MIBF and the community.
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