People visit Kuwait's 47th International Book Fair in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on Nov. 20, 2024. The book fair kicked off here on Wednesday, with the participation of more than 500 publishing houses. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

The 47th Kuwait International Book Fair kicked off on Wednesday in Kuwait's Hawalli Governorate under the theme "The World in a Book."

The event, organized by Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, features 544 publishing houses from 31 countries and regions, according to the Kuwait News Agency.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi described the book fair as one of Kuwait's most important cultural events, stressing its significance in promoting Kuwait's vibrant cultural heritage, which he described as a "way of life and a framework for enlightened thinking."

Running until Nov. 30, this year's book fair features approximately 90 cultural activities, including seminars, panel discussions, and training workshops.

Al-Mutairi highlighted the fair as a testament to Kuwait's commitment to fostering intellectual growth and cultural exchange and underscored the importance of encouraging younger generations to embrace reading as a tool for expanding their intellectual and literary horizons.