Kuwait Int'l Book Fair consolidates country's message of catering for creativity - Info Min.

KUWAIT, Nov 14 (KUNA) -- Kuwait International Book Fair consolidates the country's message of catering for creativity, intellect, literature and arts, said Information Mohammad Al-Jabri on Wednesday.
His remarks came upon inaugurating the 43rd version of the annual cultural event held under His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's patronage and due until November 24.
The venue also saw the participation of Palestinian Minister of Culture Dr. Ehab Besiso, as the fair chose Quds; Arabic for Jerusalem, as theme. The fair's main seminar will also be titled (Quds... Palestine's eternal capital).
Kuwait International Book Fair had always enjoyed the full support of the political leadership, falling within the country's ambitious cultural strategy and upon recommendations of the National Assembly (parliament) of shedding light on the Palestinian cause, Al-Jabri, also Chairman of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, pointed out.
The book fair features around 505 publishers, 35 government departments, nine organizations and 12 reading clubs.
"We value Kuwait's continuous support for the Palestinian cause; a matter that is unnegotiable due to its justice," said Minister Besiso in a press conference after the inauguration.
He added that Palestine's membership in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) would prove vital and pivotal in preserving Palestinian heritage and identity in a bid to save them from 'occupation' policies of distortion.
On his part, US Ambassador to the State of Kuwait Lawrence Silverman said the high stature of Kuwait International Book Fair would contribute in elevating status of Arabic culture on the global scale.
In a speech on the occasion, Ambassador Silverman lauded close relations with Kuwait on all levels, especially in the cultural domain. (end) mrv.hb