As part of the cultural program accompanying the Kingdom’s participation as the Guest of Honor at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026, a cultural seminar titled “Literary Translation and the Engineering of an Interconnected Cultural Future” brought together intellectuals, academics, translators, and literature specialists to discuss the growing influence of literary translation in shaping global cultural dialogue.
The seminar was moderated by journalist Ahmed Al-Alkami and featured writer and researcher Sami Al-Salmi, who explored the broader cultural and civilizational dimensions of literary translation and its contribution to fostering understanding among diverse societies.
Al-Salmi emphasized that literary translation has evolved far beyond the simple transfer of words from one language to another. Instead, it has become a powerful instrument for reshaping the global cultural landscape by conveying ideas, philosophies, values, and human experiences across borders.
He noted that translated literary works offer readers a unique opportunity to understand different cultures from within, providing deeper insights into how people perceive humanity, society, and the world around them. According to Al-Salmi, literary translation serves as a genuine bridge for cultural exchange, intellectual openness, and mutual understanding.
The seminar also examined the rapid transformations taking place within the translation industry, particularly with the growing adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. Participants discussed both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI-driven translation tools and the continuing importance of human expertise in preserving the cultural nuances and artistic integrity of literary texts.
The event forms part of the broader cultural and intellectual program organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission within the Kingdom’s pavilion at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, which continues through June 7.
The Kingdom’s participation as Guest of Honor reflects its expanding presence on the global cultural stage and underscores its commitment to promoting knowledge exchange, intercultural dialogue, and literary collaboration in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
