The 9th edition of the iRead competition, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, will take place on October 11 and 12, 2024. This event aims to promote reading and literary culture across the Arab world. This year’s theme, “Reading Bridges Worlds,” highlights the importance of reading as a tool for cultural connection and personal enrichment.
The competition includes two main categories: the essay track, with ten finalists from seven Arab countries (including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, and Syria), and the debate track, where eight other participants will compete on literary topics. These finalists were selected from over 106,000 submissions. During the final, the public will have the opportunity to vote for the Public Favorite, adding an interactive dimension to the event.
The cultural program accompanying the competition includes speeches by renowned authors and intellectuals, such as Saudi critic Abdullah Al-Ghathami and Algerian writer Ahlam Mosteghanemi. Additionally, poetry recitals, book signings, and exhibitions, such as the book exchange event Kutubiya, will enrich the event days. Nobel Prize winners in literature, such as Olga Tokarczuk (2018) and Abdulrazak Gurnah (2021), will also be present, highlighting the international