Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the 15th Bahrain International Book Fair being held in the Kingdom as part of festivities to mark Manama being named the 'Capital of Arab Culture for 2012.'

The event was officially launched by Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, in the presence of ministers, government officials, Shura Council members and VIPs on Thursday.

The biennial event showcases publishers and booksellers in all subject areas under one roof and is being held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sanabis.

The free event, which is part of the Spring of Culture festival, will continue until April 1 and aims to encourage readers at all levels, interests and ages to experience the joy of reading, said organisers.

The exhibition is also part of festivities marking Manama being named the Capital of Arab Culture for 2012.

More than 300 Arab and foreign publishing houses are exhibiting their latest publications, and 10 books written by Bahrainis will be unveiled.

These include The Industry of Diving by Abdulla Khalifa Al Shamleen, The Eye of Love by Dr Anisa Fakhro, Tolerating Bloodshed by Bader Abdelmalik, Poetry Collection by Dr Alawi Al Hashimi, Only For Clarification by Jaffer Al Alawi, Things That Lend Themselves by Rana Al Amsi, My Beautiful Bahrain by Robin Barratt, Isa bin Mohammed: His Story of Success by Dr Hisham Abdelwahab Al Shaikh and Ring of Waves by Fareed Ramadan.

During the opening ceremony, Shaikha Mai thanked His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for patronising the event.

She also welcomed Tunisia as the event's guest of honour as it is taking part for the first time, wherein a musical evening was held last night.

The programme was conducted by Tunisian personality Kamal Al Farjani and a lecture was delivered by Dr Abu Yarab Al Maarzoqi and Dr Mohammed Al Hadad.

The exhibition also features a line-up of activities by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including a pavilion dedicated to children.

At the Children's Reading Corner, youngsters can listen to storytellers, read, colour, make their own storybook and receive a free book.

On display and for sale are books in English and Arabic on a variety of topics such as art and design, short stories, novels, cook books, travel books, coffee table books and many more and will include children's sections.

The event was first organised by the Education Ministry and the then Information Ministry but since 2010, it has been taken over by the Culture Ministry as part of the annual Spring of Culture festivities. The exhibition will be open daily from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm, and on Fridays from 4.30pm to 10pm.-TradeArabia News Service