Qatar National Library, Wifaq celebrate family storytelling heritage
To celebrate the enduring power of family narratives, the Qatar National Library (QNL), in collaboration with the Family Consulting Centre (Wifaq), hosted the "A Story from a Loved One: Family Cohesion and Storytelling Heritage" event on Thursday.The gathering underscored how the simple act of sharing stories serves as a vital bridge between generations, strengthening emotional bonds, cultivating shared values, and preserving cultural knowledge.The event opened with a panel discussion, where specialists examined the impact of storytelling on family dynamics.A key focus of the session was the newly launched book, *Qissa Min Ghali (*A Story from a Loved One), highlighted as an exemplar for chronicling human experiences and transmitting core social and familial values.The panel underscored the vital importance of preserving family memory for future generations, while spotlighting the pivotal role of cultural and community institutions in championing and safeguarding this rich heritage.Writer and novelist Issa Abdullah discussed how family stories transfer values and build intergenerational belonging.Wifaq community awareness director Lolwa al-Yazeedi highlighted the human messages embedded in the newly launched book and the role of real-life stories in fostering family dialogue.Rounding out the panel, Doha International Family Institute (Difi) executive director Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi explored strategies for preserving family folktales for future generations.Reflecting on the initiative's core objectives, al-Yazeedi said: "At Wifaq, we believe that family cohesion is built on the details of daily life. The stories passed down through generations create a vital space for dialogue, carrying values, memories, and shared experiences that foster a deep sense of belonging.""Through this session, we aim to encourage families to reclaim that space,” she said. “By giving youth the opportunity to listen to, engage with, and document the stories of their parents and grandparents, we are strengthening intergenerational communication.”“Ultimately, this initiative underscores the importance of involving young people in preserving their family's heritage-transforming spoken memories into a lasting written legacy that binds generations together,” al-Yazeedi stated.Adding to this sentiment, Maram al-Mahmoud, the QNL's manager of Programs and Services for Children and Young Adults, said: "Every family carries its own archive of stories that shape our identities and what matters to us, long before anyone writes them down.”“Partnering with Wifaq on this event enabled us to remind families that the everyday narratives they share are as much a part of our national heritage as the works on our shelves,” she said.This vision was brought to life through the official launch of the book *Qissa Min Ghali, which features a unique collection of stories written by children and young adults between the ages of 12-14.These young authors drew direct inspiration from the oral histories and tales shared by their parents and grandparents, translating oral heritage into written works.Following the panel, children and parents participated in an interactive programme of educational and creative activities designed to nurture a shared culture of reading.A dedicated children's corner offered storytelling, free drawing, interactive competitions, and colouring activities based on the book's original illustrations.The event also marked the launch of an extended four-week accompanying programme hosted at the library.As part of this initiative, the Children's Library introduced a new series of weekly “Storytime” sessions where the young authors of *Qissa Min Ghali will read their stories directly to children.These interactive sessions are designed to initiate dialogue about the stories' events and messages, artistic and creative expression activities, and commemorative photo opportunities with the young writers.The gathering was attended by representatives from various national institutions, reflecting a nationwide commitment to family cohesion.Attendees included representatives from several national institutions and community centres.