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RIYADH: Three falcons were sold for a total of SR935,000 ($249,302) at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition in Malham, north of Riyadh, on Sunday.

Two of the falcons, from Mongolia, were sold at auction — the first, a Hur Farkh, or young female, fetched a price of SR450,000 after intense bidding, while the second, a Hur Qarnas, or mature bird, sold for SR400,00.

The auction concluded with the sale of a Hur Shaheen, a subspecies of the peregrine falcon, from Al-Qahma in ����ֱ��’s Aseer region, for SR85,000.

This year’s exhibition features, for the first time, a dedicated zone for Mongolian falcons, which are prized among falconers in ����ֱ�� and the wider region.

Renowned for their large size, long wingspan, and endurance, these birds of prey also display a range of colors, from pale white to dark brown, making them highly sought after by both enthusiasts and professionals.

The Saudi Falcons Club auction is limited to migratory Hur Shaheen falcons, with strict prohibition on auctioning Qarnas Shaheen or wild falcons to ensure their sustainability.

The club offers falconers a range of services and facilities, including transportation, accommodation and sales documentation.

The auction is also broadcast on television and social media platforms.

It began on Oct. 2 and runs until Oct. 11 and has so far attracted a large audience, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This year features the new Mongolian falcons area featuring rare breeds as well as a saluki dog museum, a falconers’ village for children, and go-kart racing, as part of 23 accompanying events and activities.

The exhibition also features folkloric performances that celebrate Saudi heritage, along with equestrian shows that blend horsemanship and falconry in a unique theatrical display.

Leading the event’s competitions is the six-day Melwah race, which offers total prizes of SR600,000.

Workshops and panel discussions continue to attract significant interest from specialists engaging in dialogue on topics ranging from falconers’ personal experiences to the falcon trade and its broader cultural and heritage implications.

RIYADH: The deepening cultural exchange between ����ֱ�� and China took center stage at the Riyadh International Book Fair, marked by a strong Chinese presence among both visitors and publishing houses.

This year’s event featured a special session on “Trading Rights between Arab and Chinese Publishing Houses,” where publishers from both sides explored ways to expand collaboration, including strengthening literary and business ties.

One of the fair’s main attractions is the “Read China” pavilion, a vibrant space showcasing Chinese books translated into Arabic. Staffed by Chinese representatives fluent in Arabic, the booth offers visitors an engaging cultural and linguistic experience.

Among them was Tao Ruipeng, a Chinese Muslim who introduced himself by his Arabic name, Ghaith.

Speaking to Arab News, he expressed enthusiasm about the growing Saudi interest in Chinese culture.

“The Riyadh Book Fair is a great opportunity for cultural exchange between ����ֱ�� and China,” he said. “We’re not only here to sell books — the main goal is to communicate with Saudis. There’s a huge turnout of people eager to learn about Chinese literature and language.”

Tao added that many visitors were particularly interested in books about Chinese language learning, reflecting Saudis’ increasing curiosity about Chinese culture and education.

The book fair, which runs until Oct. 11, also featured a cultural seminar hosted by the Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge, highlighting renowned Chinese novelist Mai Jia, a leading voice in contemporary Chinese literature.

During the session, Mai shared insights from his literary journey and discussed how his works have connected with readers around the world through translation.

He reflected on the role of the novel in Arab culture, describing it as a form that mirrors history, identity and shared human experience.

“This is my first visit to ����ֱ��, and I’m very pleased to be part of the Riyadh Book Fair,” Mai said. “It’s inspiring to see how literature can build bridges between cultures and open new paths of understanding.”

Through initiatives like these, the Riyadh International Book Fair continues to strengthen its reputation as a hub for cultural diplomacy, with the Saudi-Chinese exchange serving as one prominent example.