Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the 31st edition of the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) was inaugurated by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani on Thursday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The event, held under the slogan 'Knowledge is Light', features literary works of local, regional, and internationally-renowned authors and publishers from 37 countries across the globe. Organised by the Ministry of Culture's Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events Centre, the fair will run until January 22.
HE the Prime Minister toured the different pavilions and was briefed on the latest publications displayed at the annual exhibition – dubbed as “one of the oldest and largest international book fairs in the region.” He was accompanied by HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani and other dignitaries.
Apart from books, the DIBF also hosts several sections for visitors to explore such as the Children's Creators Garden, Akkas Centre, Youth Hobbies Centre, and the Visual Arts Centre, among others. It is also set to hold a series of seminars and lectures in the coming days.
The US is the guest of honour at the exhibition this year as part of the Qatar – USA Year of Culture 2021. “At the Book Fair, we have 7,000 books in our booth and that represents 750 publishers. This Book Fair is the long-standing cornerstone of the US – Qatar partnership and serves as the ideal activity for our Qatar – USA Year of Culture,” US embassy in Doha chargé d’affaires Natalie A Baker told reporters on the sidelines of DIBF’s opening.
“Our Year of Culture last year highlighted our rich cultural exchange in science, fashion, dance, music, food, and the arts, and with this theme this year, we are also celebrating Arab – American culture because the designer of our booth is an Arab – American woman named Christina Khater,” the envoy said. “She has done a lot of efforts to advance women’s empowerment so all of these themes are represented in our booth today”.
The futuristic design of the US booth at the exhibition underlines “how literacy and learning are key tools for innovation and enabling humanity to reach its highest potential”, she added.
“As we join the people of Qatar over the next week and a half to celebrate literacy and learning, our goal during the 31st Doha International Book Fair is to encourage literacy, professional development, and academic exchange between our two nations,” Baker said.
The US booth offers an array of books on fiction, non-fiction, history, biographies, renowned and American leaders, as well as books for young adults and children, and those who are just learning to read.
“We have a wide variety of educational books… so this is really a rich display of American authors and literature in our booth today,” the envoy added.
Besides the thousands of books for sale at the US booth, the US embassy is also planning to hold various activities such as film showings, English language learning, EducationUSA advising, and consular information sessions. The US Air Forces (AFCENT) Band will also be playing a range of music on January 16 at 8.10pm.
The DIBF also serves as one of the highlights of Qatar – USA 2021 Year of Culture, and marks the 50th year of strong bilateral relations between the two countries, according to Baker.
Organisers noted that DIBF 2022 witnessed the biggest number of participants with several foreign publishing houses and embassies in Doha in attendance, and “presents an extraordinary edition in terms of in quantity, form, and quality.”
Apart from the US and Italy, it is learnt that the embassies of Palestine, Syria, Japan, South Korea, the Kyrgyz Republic, Indonesia, and Russia, as well as the participation of Azerbaijan represented by the Ministry of Culture, have ‘broader participation’ at DIBF 2022.
The Embassy of Italy in Doha is taking part in the event, featuring a national booth entirely dedicated to children’s books. It is also hosting an exhibition of the works of Italian authors and illustrators of children’s books, as well as readings and workshops.
Educational institutions including Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University are also taking part in the event, displaying a wide range of book categories, published in Arabic and English.
The event, held under the slogan 'Knowledge is Light', features literary works of local, regional, and internationally-renowned authors and publishers from 37 countries across the globe. Organised by the Ministry of Culture's Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events Centre, the fair will run until January 22.
HE the Prime Minister toured the different pavilions and was briefed on the latest publications displayed at the annual exhibition – dubbed as “one of the oldest and largest international book fairs in the region.” He was accompanied by HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani and other dignitaries.
Apart from books, the DIBF also hosts several sections for visitors to explore such as the Children's Creators Garden, Akkas Centre, Youth Hobbies Centre, and the Visual Arts Centre, among others. It is also set to hold a series of seminars and lectures in the coming days.
The US is the guest of honour at the exhibition this year as part of the Qatar – USA Year of Culture 2021. “At the Book Fair, we have 7,000 books in our booth and that represents 750 publishers. This Book Fair is the long-standing cornerstone of the US – Qatar partnership and serves as the ideal activity for our Qatar – USA Year of Culture,” US embassy in Doha chargé d’affaires Natalie A Baker told reporters on the sidelines of DIBF’s opening.
“Our Year of Culture last year highlighted our rich cultural exchange in science, fashion, dance, music, food, and the arts, and with this theme this year, we are also celebrating Arab – American culture because the designer of our booth is an Arab – American woman named Christina Khater,” the envoy said. “She has done a lot of efforts to advance women’s empowerment so all of these themes are represented in our booth today”.
The futuristic design of the US booth at the exhibition underlines “how literacy and learning are key tools for innovation and enabling humanity to reach its highest potential”, she added.
“As we join the people of Qatar over the next week and a half to celebrate literacy and learning, our goal during the 31st Doha International Book Fair is to encourage literacy, professional development, and academic exchange between our two nations,” Baker said.
The US booth offers an array of books on fiction, non-fiction, history, biographies, renowned and American leaders, as well as books for young adults and children, and those who are just learning to read.
“We have a wide variety of educational books… so this is really a rich display of American authors and literature in our booth today,” the envoy added.
Besides the thousands of books for sale at the US booth, the US embassy is also planning to hold various activities such as film showings, English language learning, EducationUSA advising, and consular information sessions. The US Air Forces (AFCENT) Band will also be playing a range of music on January 16 at 8.10pm.
The DIBF also serves as one of the highlights of Qatar – USA 2021 Year of Culture, and marks the 50th year of strong bilateral relations between the two countries, according to Baker.
Organisers noted that DIBF 2022 witnessed the biggest number of participants with several foreign publishing houses and embassies in Doha in attendance, and “presents an extraordinary edition in terms of in quantity, form, and quality.”
Apart from the US and Italy, it is learnt that the embassies of Palestine, Syria, Japan, South Korea, the Kyrgyz Republic, Indonesia, and Russia, as well as the participation of Azerbaijan represented by the Ministry of Culture, have ‘broader participation’ at DIBF 2022.
The Embassy of Italy in Doha is taking part in the event, featuring a national booth entirely dedicated to children’s books. It is also hosting an exhibition of the works of Italian authors and illustrators of children’s books, as well as readings and workshops.
Educational institutions including Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University are also taking part in the event, displaying a wide range of book categories, published in Arabic and English.
