Amman, September 24 (QNA) - The 25th edition of the Amman International Book Fair officially opened Thursday, featuring nearly 400 local, Arab, and international publishing houses, and running through October 3, with Syria participating as the guest of honor.

Qatar is taking part through the Ministry of Culture and several Qatari publishing houses, reinforcing its active presence in Arab cultural events.

The Qatari participation serves to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations and offers Jordanian readers an opportunity to explore Qatar's latest literary and cultural publications.

The fair's cultural program encompasses approximately 60 events, ranging from intellectual, critical, and philosophical seminars to poetry readings, story sessions, workshops, and documentary screenings, featuring around 40 guest speakers from Arab countries and China.

During the opening ceremony, Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Al Rawashdeh emphasized the importance of advancing the publishing industry amid rapid technological shifts, calling for the adoption of modern technologies, specifically artificial intelligence and data analytics, to enrich Arab cultural content and expand book availability across digital platforms.

For his part, Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh stated that Syria's role as the guest of honor offers a platform to present its literary and intellectual contributions while showcasing new creative voices and research, reflecting the country's rich and evolving cultural heritage. (QNA)