The 35th edition of the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) is proving to be more than a celebration of literature.
For many visitors, the annual event, running until May 23 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), has become an unexpected gateway to new hobbies, from the meditative strokes of Arabic calligraphy to the structured creativity of paint-by-numbers kits.
Among the fair’s more distinctive participants is Nagi Alsaygh, who owns Resha and Hebr for Arabic Calligraphy at Al Wakrah Old Souq.
The Alsaygh name carries weight in Doha, he told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the book fair, explaining that it means goldsmith in Arabic. His father, Omar, ran a decades-old goldsmithing business in Doha. However, Alsaygh has chosen a different medium to preserve Qatari heritage.
According to Alsaygh, he first fell in love with calligraphy as a secondary school student in Qatar, a passion he set aside during his university years in the US and a subsequent corporate career. It was his daughter who encouraged him to take up a hobby during retirement, prompting his return to calligraphy. He has since opened his shop and has been participating in the book fair for the past six years.
“Calligraphy is deeply embedded in Qatari heritage and culture, and I feel a responsibility to help keep that tradition alive. This art form is also part of Qatar’s identity. And if I can help ensure it is not forgotten, then my shop has served its purpose,” Alsaygh emphasised.
At his DIBF stall, visitors can commission personalised bookmarks and small calligraphic items, while also browsing an array of supplies, including nibs, pen holders, inks, gouaches, and paper.
A wide collection of ornate feather dip pens has proven particularly popular, drawing customers who purchase them as decorative gifts rather than strictly as writing instruments. Alsaygh added that he has observed a resurgence of interest in calligraphy, especially among the youth.
The creative offerings at this year’s fair extend to paint by numbers kits, a hobby long associated with children but now drawing a broader following.
Soumia el-Meknassi, the general manager of the Cezanne Publishing stall from Morocco, said her customers span in age from children as young as six to seniors, with many young adults among the regulars. Her stall offers a variety of kits that recreate iconic works by masters, such as Van Gogh and Monet.
“Paint by numbers has evolved well beyond a children’s pastime. Today, it is for everyone, and that is what makes it so exciting. People of all ages have embraced them enthusiastically, and that tells you something about their appeal. With more and more paint by numbers kits appearing on the market, anyone can be an artist,” el-Meknassi explained.
She noted that many customers return regularly for different kits, describing the activity as a form of “therapy through art.”
Houda, who also hails from Morocco, manages the Harpers Books & Creativity stall. She said the kits offer children and young adults a productive alternative to screens, giving them space to explore their creativity.
“Painting by numbers keeps children and young adults away from video games and electronic gadgets, and gives them a chance to create something with their own hands,” Houda said.
Her stall draws a wide range of customers with kits featuring characters from popular Japanese manga and anime alongside classical paintings. She noted that the process is accessible to beginners.
“The process is far simpler than it looks: colours are pre-matched and ready to use, removing any barrier for first-time painters. It is a creative outlet that does not demand any prior skill; you simply follow the numbers, and the painting takes shape,” she pointed out.
Also on display inside another stall at the book fair are paint by diamond kits - a variation on the paint by numbers concept that uses small resin gems in place of paint to fill in numbered canvases, adding a tactile, mosaic-like dimension to the hobby.
