The Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, participated in the third edition of the Back-to-School Festival, which kicked off at Msheireb Galleria and will continue until August 30.

This comes as part of its efforts to prepare students for the start of the new academic year through engaging cultural and interactive programmes.

During its participation, the forum presented a workshop titled "The Importance of Reading," targeting children and youth to introduce them to the benefits of books and the knowledge and values they convey, while encouraging them to make reading a part of their daily lives.

The forum's corner also featured a miniature library rich in diverse publications, including a collection of distinguished local books issued by Qatari publishing houses, allowing visitors to browse the national publishing industry and learn about its contributions to the local cultural scene.

Jassim Ahmed al-Buainain, director of the Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum, emphasised that this participation falls within the Ministry of Culture's vision to build a generation that loves reading. He noted that the forum continues its efforts to support the publishing and distribution sector with the full support of the ministry, in line with the state's directives and vision to preserve national identity and values.

He explained that the interactive activities presented by the forum during the festival contributed to instilling a love of reading and learning in children and provided a space for direct interaction with books, strengthening their connection to knowledge and preparing them for a productive academic year.

The "Back-to-School" festival is one of the annual events hosted by Msheireb Gallery, combining entertainment and education through diverse activities and workshops. The festival continues until August 30 with broad participation from stakeholders supporting students and families in preparation for the new academic year.