PH Embassy in Riyadh Donates Filipiniana Books to the King Fahad National Library

Philippine Chargé d'Affaires to Riyadh Rommel Romato (right) with Dr. Abdulrahman AlAsem (left), Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Culture's Libraries Commission. (Riyadh PE photo)

RIYADH 17 July 2023 — The Philippine Embassy’s Chargé d'Affaires to Riyadh Rommel Romato visited the prestigious King Fahad National Library in Riyadh on 10 July 2023, and met with Dr. Abdulrahman AlAsem, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Culture's Libraries Commission.

During the visit, the Philippine Embassy donated a collection of 17 Filipiniana books, all of which were published by esteemed institutions such as the Foreign Service Institute, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Department of Tourism, and the Tourism Promotions Board.

The books cover a wide range of topics, including historical events, cultural traditions, literary works, artistic expressions, architectural marvels, and culinary encounters found in the Philippines.

“The donation of these books is a gesture of our friendship and goodwill,” said CDA Romato. “We hope that they will help to introduce our Saudi friends to the rich culture and history of the Philippines.”

Dr. AlAsem expressed his gratitude for the donation and said that the books would be a valuable resource for the national library and its local and international patrons and readers.

CDA Romato was also briefed on the library’s rare collections, which include a 9th-century Kufic Qur’an written on deerskin. The library also holds a copy of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. 

The visit and donation of books are part of the Philippine Embassy’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. END

The Filipiniana books donated by the Philippine Embassy to the King Fahad National Library. (Riyadh PE photo)

Left photo: Briefing of the library’s rare collections to CDA Romato. Right photo: CDA Romato with the library’s copy of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. (Riyadh PE photo)

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