Kuala lumpur: A cultural symposium exploring myth in Arabic and Malaysian literature and its intersections with symbol and identity was held as part of the cultural program organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission during the Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026 (KLIBF 2026).

According to Saudi Press Agency, the symposium was presented by writer and novelist Abdullah Al-Hawas and moderated by journalist Ahmed Al-Alkami. It was attended by several intellectuals and literature enthusiasts.

During the symposium, Al-Hawas discussed the concept of myth and its role in shaping the cultural memory of societies. He highlighted its continued presence in modern and contemporary literature as a tool for expressing identity and reflecting human transformations.

He also highlighted the presence of myth in Arabic literature, citing Scheherazade and Sinbad as prominent narrative symbols associated with imagination, travel, and the pursuit of knowledge. He noted that Arabic literature has drawn many of its myths from desert landscapes, the sea, and the inherited human stories they carry.