The Lamp of Culture and the Beacon of Knowledge

King Salman… A Leader Who Made the Book a Companion of Wisdom and a Journey of Awareness

Riyadh – BETH News Agency

The King Salman Foundation has released a documentary booklet titled “The Lamp of Culture and the Beacon of Knowledge,” which embodies the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, toward culture and knowledge.
The publication highlights his continuous support for the Riyadh International Book Fair, one of the most significant intellectual and cultural events in the Kingdom and the Arab world.

✨ A Mind That Leads… and Knowledge That Never Fades

The booklet opens with a timeless quote by King Salman:

“Education does not end with a university degree; it is a lifelong journey from cradle to grave.”

This quote reflects the King’s deep intellectual philosophy — that reading and authorship are not achievements, but doors to perpetual renewal.
As the booklet notes, a certificate may open the door, but the reader is the one who steps into the horizon.

📖 From Sponsorship to Cultural Transformation

King Salman’s patronage of the Riyadh International Book Fair was never ceremonial;
it was a national project that redefined the relationship between citizens and books,
transforming Riyadh into a capital of modern Arab culture.

The booklet traces the fair’s evolution from a modest local event
to a global cultural gathering hosting publishers from more than 40 countries —
a reflection of King Salman’s enduring commitment to culture since his days as Governor of Riyadh.

📚 King Salman’s Library… The Memory of a Nation

A special section in the publication explores King Salman’s private library,
which houses hundreds of thousands of books, manuscripts, and encyclopedias,
making it one of the richest personal libraries in the Arab world.

It is not merely an archive,
but a mirror of a leader’s conviction that culture is the compass guiding the destiny of nations.

🕊️ The Book: A Message, Not a Commodity

The booklet stresses that King Salman’s dedication to culture
was never driven by formality or publicity,
but by a profound belief that books shape people, and people build civilizations.

Through the Riyadh International Book Fair,
Saudi Arabia has established a cultural bridge for dialogue and understanding between the Kingdom and the world.

🌟 A Message to Every Reader and Writer

The booklet concludes with a heartfelt message:

“Writing is a responsibility, and reading is a partnership in building the nation.”

It reaffirms that under the leadership of King Salman and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,
Saudi Arabia continues to advance on a path where culture stands as a soft power, expressing a nation that believes in knowledge, humanity, and enlightenment.

📖
“The Lamp of Culture and the Beacon of Knowledge”
Published by the King Salman Foundation – 2025
ksf.org.sa/KSRBF.pdf