King Abdulaziz Public Library boosts translation with rare works, global prize

King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is enhancing the field of translation and fostering cultural and intellectual exchange among world languages through a diverse range of programs and activities. The library has translated more than 100 books covering the history of Saudi Arabia and Arab and Islamic culture, viewed from both orientalist and travel literature perspectives, translating from global languages into Arabic. It has further strengthened its translation efforts by acquiring 640 rare translated works from various languages, the oldest dating back to the early 19th century.

In celebration of the United Nations' International Translation Day on September 30 each year, the library highlights its most notable rare books in the fields of knowledge, science, arts, literature, and general culture.

Rare translated works:

Among the oldest rare books in the collection is "Surgical Bandages," translated by Ibrahim Al-Nabrawi in 1834. The book covers several topics on bandages, including primary and secondary cuts of the device and their preparation, the benefits and application of bandages, spiral and interlaced bandages, thread and mechanical bandages, and other related research.

Other rare works include "Elite of the Intelligent in Chemistry," authored by the Frenchman Justinel Bey and translated by Ahmed Effendi Nada in 1869. The book begins with a brief history of chemistry, followed by numerous chapters on chemical phenomena, cohesion, affinity, analysis and synthesis, substances and metals, crystallization, chemical elements, acids and alkalis, carbon, air, diamonds, and more.

Another notable title is "Systematic Foundations in Military Measures," translated by Ahmed Rifaat in 1869, which provides a description and explanation of military orders and traditions in the late 19th century.

Among the rare translated books is "Rising Suns: The Story of Minister Eustachius," translated by Anton Elias Al-Hamawi in 1874. The book contains 18 chapters, starting with "In the Vision of Blasid in the Forest" and ending with "On the Martyrdom of This Family." Sami Effendi Qusayri produced a rare translation of Alexandre Dumas' novel "Mathilde" in 1885. Another rare translation is "Modern Education" by Monsieur Edmond Demolins, published in 1901 and translated by Hassan Tawfiq Al-Dajwi. This book includes 19 chapters on modern education, covering topics such as good taste, sports, health, libraries, patriotism, diligence, determination, and social life.

The rare collection also features works such as "The Secret of Success" by Samuel Smiles, "Principles of Scientific and Moral Philosophy" by René Worms, "Abbas II" by Lord Cromer, "Detailed Verses of the Holy Quran" by Jules Laboume, "History of Philosophers" (1836), "General Anatomy" by Clarke (1845), "Brilliant Pearls in Descriptive Geometry" (1845), "Excellence in the Science of Agriculture" by Vigery (1866), "Refinement of the Elite in Geometric Principles" by Sadiq Bey Shanan (1881), "Social Ills and Their Remedies" by Leo Tolstoy, "The Splendid Garden" by Courtois Gerard (1870), "The Path of Righteousness in Principles of Literature" by Benjamin Comijs (1891), and "Rights of Nations" (1894). The collection also includes translations of works by Spinoza, Albert Camus, Dostoevsky, Marcel Proust, Thomas Carlyle, John Wilson, Charles Hamilton, Vagleri, Laura Sutton, Bertrand Russell, Herbert Spencer, Simone de Beauvoir, George Darcy, Boris Sokolov, Ralph Perry, Inis Claude, Alfred Hoyetz, and others.

International award:

In the past decade, the library has promoted mutual translation between Arabic and Chinese, especially after opening a branch at Peking University in China. Numerous Arabic literary, narrative, and scientific works have been translated into Chinese, and vice versa.

To further support its role in this vital field, the library established the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation in 2006. Over its eleven editions, the award has attracted entries from more than 70 countries and around 1,726 works in 45 languages, judged by 516 experts. A total of 132 translators, cultural organizations, and institutions have won the award to date.

Additionally, the library holds 30,781 books on various aspects of translation, along with thousands of books translated into Arabic from English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Hindi, and other languages.

Recognition and appreciation:

King Abdulaziz Public Library received the Children's Category Award (Excellence in Children's Literature Publishing) at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, in recognition of its outstanding efforts and initiatives in publishing and translating children's stories. The award highlights the library's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and showcasing children's literature globally in multiple languages as part of a unique cultural translation project.