Riyadh Book Fair 2025 Embraces Saudi Translation Initiatives Reshaping Arab Cultural Landscape

   Riyadh, October 06, 2025, SPA -- As part of the Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, the spotlight shines on the Arabic Observatory of Translation, a pioneering regional cultural initiative. The observatory was launched by the Ministry of Culture, represented by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). Its participation in the fair is not symbolic, with the initiative standing as the first Arab reference dedicated to monitoring and documenting translation activity across the Arab world.
   The observatory aims to collect and document the work of researchers in translation from and into Arabic, creating a rich knowledge database that supports the development of cultural policies and enhances the quality of translated content. It also offers users insights into translation trends, the most commonly used languages, and areas of growing activity, making it a strategic tool for both decision-makers and researchers.
   Through its presence at the fair, the observatory underscores the Kingdom's deep commitment to translation and its leading role in building an integrated Arab knowledge ecosystem. Since its launch in October 2022, the observatory's digital platform has gathered over 800 specialists in various languages, compiled more than 100,000 translated book bibliographies, and registered over 2,000 publishing houses to date.
   Among the fair's standout initiatives is the “Tarjim” initiative, one of the most ambitious projects for invigorating translation activity in the Kingdom. The platform acts as a smart link between publishing houses and translators, offering a practical model for supporting Saudi translators.
   Tarjim empowers translators by allowing them to submit a sample translation reviewed by expert consultants. Once approved, the translator is connected with a publishing house to release the work and receives direct financial support from the supervising body. This model not only motivates individuals but also helps build a vibrant translation market that ensures quality and fosters innovation.
   Far from being a mere technical project, Tarjim reflects a Saudi cultural vision that views translation as a means to enrich Arabic content, broaden readers' horizons, and present a more diverse image of the world.
   At this edition of the Riyadh International Book Fair, new chapters of Arab cultural history are being written, and through the Arabic Observatory of Translation and Tarjim platform, the contours of a Saudi translation renaissance are taking shape — one that not only celebrates the past but also forges the future.
   -- SPA