The Text Reading Forum kicks off in Jeddah to discuss the literature of Vision 2030
A major cultural event kicks off in the Red Sea bride
This evening, Tuesday, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, one of the most important cultural and literary events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Reading the Text Forum in its new edition. Organized by the Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club, this prominent event will witness wide participation from a select group of critics, writers, and intellectuals from within the Kingdom and abroad, reaffirming Jeddah's historical status as a cradle of creativity and culture and a beacon of enlightenment in the Arab world.
Exploring the future of Saudi literature in light of Vision 2030
This year's forum is themed "Prospects for Saudi Literature in Light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and Envisioning its Future Horizons." This title reflects the strategic direction of modern Saudi culture. Vision 2030, launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, focuses on strengthening national identity and elevating the culture and literature sector to become a fundamental pillar of the Kingdom's soft power and an active contributor to quality of life. The forum will discuss, through eight main themes, the development of local creative expression, the impact of the Vision on the transformation of literary genres, human development, and exploring investment and translation opportunities in the cultural sector to promote Saudi literature globally.
The scholarly sessions also highlight the representations of place in contemporary Saudi literature, the evolution of digital discourse, which has become essential in the age of technology, and the emergence of new literary experiences in light of major national transformations. This scholarly movement aims to document the achievements of local literature and link them to the ambitious goals of the Vision, thus ensuring the sustainability of creativity and developing critical tools to keep pace with the rapid global changes across all fields of human knowledge.
Honoring pioneers and the depth of academic impact
In a gesture of loyalty and appreciation, the forum will honor the well-known short story writer and author, Muhammad Ali Quds, by choosing him as the “Distinguished Personality of the Year,” in recognition of his prolific literary career and his extensive contributions to the service of the short story and Saudi literature, reflecting the keenness of cultural institutions to celebrate their pioneers.
Historically, the Jeddah Literary Club is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the Kingdom. The Text Reading Forum represents a landmark in the landscape of Saudi literature, having continued successfully for 22 years. The Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullah Awaiqil Al-Sulami, explained that this cultural forum has been contributing for nearly a quarter of a century, serving as a valuable resource for researchers worldwide. The forum's regional significance is highlighted by the fact that its scholarly outputs have become a primary reference, supporting numerous master's and doctoral theses at Saudi and Arab universities, thus underscoring its established academic and literary value.
Community partnership to support culture
At the conclusion of preparations, Dr. Al-Salmi praised the generous support the forum receives from business leaders who believe in the importance of culture, foremost among them Sheikh Saeed Al-Anqari and Dr. Abdullah Dahlan. He emphasized that the combined efforts of the wise leadership, intellectuals, and supporters are the primary drivers of success for events befitting the cultural standing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and contributing to showcasing its bright, civilized image to the world.
