RIYADH: Distinguished American author Walter Isaacson praised the Kingdom’s burgeoning entrepreneurship, particularly within the energy and development sectors, during his appearance at the Riyadh International Book Fair.

In a dialogue session focused on lessons from the greatest minds in history, Isaacson highlighted the Kingdom’s developmental revolution, particularly in renewable energy, as evidenced by the surge in innovation and the proliferation of solar panels.

Moderator Yasmin Al-Khowaiter emphasized Isaacson’s expertise in crafting biographies of globally significant figures and explored leadership concepts among the influential personalities whose lives the author has chronicled.

Isaacson examined the creative revolutions led by pioneering figures and acclaimed leaders in their fields.

He pointed to key factors essential for fostering creativity in practice, including curiosity, exploration, out-of-the-box thinking, passion, humility, poise, simplicity in execution, precise task delineation, and adherence to ethical principles.

Isaacson traced the evolution of creativity across epochs, beginning with the intellectual revolution of Benjamin Franklin, progressing to the nuclear era represented by Albert Einstein, advancing into the digital age with Steve Jobs, and culminating in the space revolution led by Elon Musk.

The Riyadh International Book Fair 2024, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 at King Saud University.

This year’s theme, “Riyadh Reads,” seeks to elevate the Kingdom’s cultural standing both regionally and globally.

The fair offers a wide array of cultural, artistic, and entertainment events, featuring over 200 activities designed for all age groups.

Attendees can engage in seminars, dialogue sessions, lectures, poetry evenings, and workshops led by a distinguished group of writers and thinkers from Saudi Arabia and around the world. These sessions cover a broad range of subjects and disciplines.

This year’s guest of honor is Qatar, offering visitors a rich cultural experience that highlights the country’s literary and intellectual achievements, cultural heritage, history and arts.

JEDDAH: Farmers in the Baha region have begun harvesting pomegranates, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The area boasts around 179 hectares of pomegranate orchards that produce over 1,600 tonnes of the fruit annually due to its fertile land, moderate climate, abundant water supply, and rich soil.

Pomegranate trees have been cultivated in Baha for hundreds of years, serving as one of the oldest sources of income for local farmers.

Trees reach peak production between 15 and 20 years and can live for over 70 years.

Traditional farming methods have evolved, and farmers now use advanced agricultural practices and transportation methods.

Local farmer Saud Al-Zahrani explained that the pomegranate harvesting season starts each September and lasts about three months. He expressed optimism for this year’s yield, citing favorable conditions, including abundant rainfall, which has improved the fruit’s quality and cleanliness.

He also mentioned the national pomegranate festival, which aims to support farmers and producers by opening new marketing channels and promoting products both locally and globally.