Doha International Book Fair Starts May 9 with Participation of 515 Publishing Houses

Doha: The 33rd Doha International Book Fair will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from May 9 to 18, 2024. The theme for this year's event is "Knowledge Builds Civilizations." The Ministry of Culture announced that the upcoming edition will boast the largest international participation in the fair's history. Over 515 publishing houses from 42 countries are confirmed to attend, along with significant cultural contributions from embassies of friendly nations. The Sultanate of Oman will be the guest of honor, showcasing its rich heritage through a dedicated pavilion. This pavilion will feature a diverse cultural program highlighting Omani literature, intellectual achievements, and traditional art forms. Live folk and artistic performances are also planned. The high level of interest from local, regional, and international publishers in participating in the Doha International Book Fair underscores its prestigious cultural and intellectual standing, said Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, Assistan t Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture. He underlined that this participation strengthens the fair's leading role in supporting intellectual progress, creativity, and literary and knowledge production. Dr. Al Ali emphasized that the book fair has become a gathering place for diverse cultural expressions. It serves as a lively platform for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and enlightened ideas. He also highlighted the theme's significance, stating that the Ministry of Culture is committed to promoting knowledge, education, and creativity as the fundamental pillars of building civilizations. He noted the distinguished participation of the guest of honor, the Sultanate of Oman, which will present traditional and folk cultural performances alongside celebrations of authentic Gulf and Arab heritage. These celebrations will feature prominent theater and artistic groups from Oman, Lebanon, and other Arab countries. This year's fair reflects the significant growth of Qatari publishin g houses, a testament to the country's commitment to supporting the book, publishing, and creative industries. Local participants include Rosa Publishing House, Dar Al Watad, QU Press, Katara Publishing House, Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press), Dar Al Sharq, Dar Al Thaqafa, Dar Napjah, and Dar Nawa, in addition to Lusail University, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, and Qatar Museums. The fair will also boast a distinguished regional, Arab, and international presence. Participating entities include the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature of the State of Kuwait; the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman; the Sharjah Book Authority; the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center; the Institute of Public Administration in Saudi Arabia; and Taibah University of Saud Arabia. Ministries of Culture from Morocco, Algeria, and Yemen, along with the General Egyptian Book Organization, will also be represented. China, Azerbaijan, and several publishers' associations from Mauritania, Jordan, Turkiye, the US and the UK will participate in the fair. Eight libraries from the historic Souq El Azbakeya in Egypt, known for its collection of used and rare books, will participate in the fair. This initiative reflects the organizers' commitment to showcasing cultural diversity and attracting historical book markets, similar to featuring Baghdad's Mutanabbi Street in the previous edition. The fair's main stage will host a variety of seminars, lectures, and poetry evenings in addition to performances of the play "Caracalla" from Lebanon, and a daily play organized by the Center for Theater Affairs. Children's activities will be a major focus, with the "Children's Oasis" offering a range of engaging and educational activities to spark young minds' creativity and love of learning. The cultural hall will host literary and intellectual sessions, fostering dialogue between authors and readers. The Cultural Salon will organize literary and intellectual sessions that open the windows of cognitive dialo gue between the author and the reader. Book launch ceremonies will also be held throughout the fair. Source: Qatar News Agency