Qatar Foundation (QF) is hosting a series of “fun and interactive community-inspired” activities at Ezdan Mall over two weekends as part of its National Reading Campaign (NRC). 
This weekend’s activities began yesterday and continue until tomorrow, while next weekend’s events will take place from May 19 to 21.
In addition, QF will launch a mobile library next month as part of the campaign. Designed as a community outreach tool, the “Reading Truck” will tour the country and aim to involve, engage and inspire the entire community, particularly young people, by fostering a love of reading, according to a statement. 
The “Reading Truck” will be easy to spot, “sporting a colourful, child-friendly appearance, capturing imaginations and bringing the world of storytelling to life.”, the statement notes. It will provide youngsters across Qatar with the opportunity to buy a wide selection of books and related learning materials.
Fahad Saad al-Qahtani, president of community development at QF, said: “These weekend events are aimed at engaging the public – men, women and children of all ages – and designed to cultivate self-learning.”
“We are absolutely delighted with the overwhelming response we have received so far,” he added. “We look forward to rolling out the rest of the campaign over the coming months, including the launch of the ‘Reading Truck’. The mobile library will be found in busy public areas over the weekend, and its location and route will be trackable via the NRC website and social media channels.”   
The Ezdan Mall events will run from 4pm to 10pm. Activities include a Book Hangout, where children can dress up as their favourite storybook characters and act out specific scenes; a Book Swap, where visitors can exchange books; and Qatar’s first Story Maze, where children will be given the chance to read different stories depending on the route chosen. 
Additional activities include bookmark making and storytelling sessions, as well as games like Scrabble and oversized puzzles. 
The NRC community outreach programme will see a range of innovative and interactive activities and events being held across the country in the months ahead, and will also feature pop-up stores, the statement adds.