The State of Kuwait is taking part in Muscat International Book Fair, the 19th edition, drawing a significant number visitors to the country pavilion. Saad Al-Hajji, the Director of the Grand Mosque at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said in a statement to KUNA that more than 570 Arab and foreign publishing houses are taking part in the fair that got underway on February 26th. The Ministry of Awqaf, the Ministry of Information and the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters are taking part in the cultural event, contributing with a number of new publications and books. Visitors' turn-up is picking up day after another and "I expect even a larger turn-out in the exhibition remaining days," he said. Eid Al-Waalan, also of the Ministry of Awqaf, said visitors had particularly shown interest in the Kuwaiti publications, namely the magazines. Display of the Kuwaiti editions in such a cultural event promotes Kuwait's cultural renaissance, which has gained strength from the atmosphere of freedoms and democracy in the country.