This morning marked the opening of the 24th edition of the 2025 Amman International Book Fair at Mecca Mall Exhibition Grounds, under the royal patronage, and with wide official and cultural participation from Jordan, Arab countries, and abroad.
اضافة اعلان
The sisterly Sultanate of Oman was the guest of honor at this edition, highlighting the deep fraternal and historical ties between the two countries.
In his speech, Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh emphasized that Jordan welcomes Oman not only as the fair’s guest of honor but as a dear guest who holds a special place in the hearts of Jordanians.
Al-Rawashdeh pointed out that the book fair, at its core, represents a major cultural industry that goes beyond being a platform for selling books; it is also an economic and knowledge-based industry that contributes to development.
He added: “In our work, we draw inspiration from the royal directives, which have repeatedly emphasized the importance of investing in culture as a tool to strengthen national identity, open up to the world, and build a knowledge-based economy that balances heritage and modernity.”
He also highlighted the selection of Dr. Sultan Al-Maani as the “Personality of the Fair” for 2025, describing him as a distinguished scholarly and creative figure who enriched the Jordanian and Arab library with hundreds of studies and research in the fields of inscriptions and archaeology, in addition to his contributions to journalism and cultural and radio programs.
Al-Rawashdeh also reflected on the humanitarian dimension of culture, stressing that the ongoing killing and systematic destruction of human life, identity, and culture in Gaza cannot be separated from the mission of books and knowledge.
The minister stated that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, firmly stands with the people of Gaza, defending their right to life and dignity, and affirming that the free word remains a weapon against attempts at displacement and erasing identity.
He concluded his speech by affirming that the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Jordanian Publishers Association and local and Arab partners, continues to develop the fair to remain a unifying Arab cultural platform and an occasion to celebrate creativity in all its forms. He thanked all publishers and participants and expressed hope that this edition would mark a new step toward further openness and Arab and international cultural cooperation.
For his part, the Chairman of the Jordanian Publishers Association and Director of the Fair, Jabr Abu Faris, welcomed attendees, emphasizing that the book fair has become an annual landmark event on the Arab cultural map, bringing together publishers, authors, and intellectuals under one roof. He praised the major role played by royal patronage in ensuring the fair’s continued success and expanding its horizons.
The statement from the Sultanate of Oman was delivered by its Ambassador to Jordan, Sheikh Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ajili, conveying greetings from the Omani Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, His Excellency Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said.
The ambassador affirmed that Oman’s participation as the guest of honor reflects the deep fraternal bonds between the two peoples and strengthens cultural exchange and joint creativity.
Al-Ajili noted that Oman is proud to present a part of its civilizational and intellectual achievements through a diverse cultural and artistic program that reflects the richness and diversity of Omani identity, expressing hope that the program would engage and impress Jordanian visitors.
He also commended the efforts of the Jordanian Ministry of Culture and the Jordanian Publishers Association in organizing this event, stating that the ties of kinship and authenticity between Jordan and Oman will remain a foundation for further cooperation and joint creativity.
The opening ceremony concluded with a musical performance by the Omani ensemble “Otur Al-Takht”, followed by an official tribute presenting shields and commemorative gifts to the Sultanate of Oman.
It is noteworthy that the fair is organized annually by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Jordanian Publishers Association. This year, hundreds of local, Arab, and international publishing houses are participating, presenting new publications in thought, literature, and the arts, alongside a diverse cultural program running over ten days.
