• Writers of works involved speak of the importance of the project
• LPT CEO Mohammed Alwan: As part of the Saudi cultural identity, we seek to communicate globally and compete internationally in this field

Rahaf Jambi

RIYADH: Manga Arabia has revealed details of a project with the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission that aims to make five Saudi novels into comic stories.

“Drawing Nothingness” by Ashraf Al-Faqih features in the Manga Arabia Youth magazine this month.

“The Voyagers” by Kendah Jambi, “Crossing Thoughts” by Sultan Ayaz, “The Awsaj” by Al-Jawhara Al-Rimal, and Ghada Al-Marzouqi’s “I Live My Memories Upside Down” will also be published in Manga Arabia magazine’s print and digital versions.

Mohammed Alwan, the CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, said that the project contributed to the literary and artistic legacy in Saudi Arabia while helping to share the stories in a way that was culturally authentic.

He added: “As part of the Saudi cultural identity, we seek to communicate globally and compete internationally in this field.”

Manga Arabia’s Editor-in-Chief Issam Bukhari spoke of the importance of the project in supporting and empowering Saudi literature while enhancing its position on the cultural scene.

The writers emphasized the importance of the initiative, stressing that it would enable them to deliver their work to readers using modern methods.  

Author Ayaz said: “I felt overwhelming happiness when I signed this contract (with Manga Arabia) because, for 10 years, this is exactly what I had been aiming for.

“I am very proud of this achievement and honored to be chosen among other talented Saudi authors to be part of this project.”

Jambi said: “I am delighted that the Manga Arabia Production team understood my vision and supported it. I always thought of my book as a Manga product.”

The project is part of joint efforts between the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and Manga Arabia to support businesses in the publishing sector and help create a sustainable industry that contributes to achieving the strategic goals of both parties. These include developing the sectors of literature, publishing and translation, and empowering imagination.

The initiative is considered to be a cultural leap in presenting Saudi literature in different forms and styles, and an indicator of progress in the field of creativity in the Kingdom.