Taif, 21 Rajab 1447 AH (10 January 2026)

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has launched the third Writers and Readers Festival at Al-Ruddaf Park in Taif under the theme "Your Presence Is a Gain". The festival runs until 15 January 2026, welcoming visitors daily from 4 pm to midnight, in an integrated cultural and entertainment experience designed as a vibrant space that celebrates writers and readers of all ages in a contemporary style that unites the fragrance of history with the spirit of modern culture.

Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Wasel said the festival targets all segments of society through a varied programme that balances knowledge with entertainment, allowing visitors to leave with a rich cultural harvest and enjoyable time suited to all ages. These efforts, he said, are part of the commission's drive to strengthen culture's presence in public life, elevate literature in daily life and create a stimulating interactive environment that brings together writers, readers and intellectuals.

The commission, he added, works to enhance quality of life as one of the main pillars of Vision 2030 by making culture a way of life, broadening the horizons of knowledge and enabling people to contribute to the intellectual and cultural development of their communities.

The third edition embodies this direction by offering a comprehensive cultural and entertainment experience in Taif, with its cultural standing and long literary legacy as the first city in the Kingdom admitted to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for literature. The commission has set up 20 artistic platforms enabling artisans to present their products in a professional setting, along with interactive platforms where visitors can listen to selected poems and musical performances, learn about the lives and works of writers from history, and move between expressive worlds ranging from the historical novel to manga.

An interactive pavilion introduces visitors to the commission's role in supporting the literature, publishing and translation sectors and its main initiatives, projects and future plans. A dedicated children's zone features five main corners with hands-on activities and innovative educational games that develop thinking and reinforce values, alongside the "Hakawati" storytelling theatre presenting purposeful stories for children in an entertaining environment that aims to build an aware and cultured generation.