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The Ministry of Culture has announced the opening of nominations for the Doha International Book Fair Award, from Jan. 17 to 1 March.The award aimes to shed light on the role played by the Doha International Book Fair in fostering the publishing industry at both local and international levels. It also aims to encourage publishing houses to place greater emphasis on knowledge-based content, cultural diversity, and high standards of artistic and technical production, while also motivating authors to pursue further creativity across various fields of knowledge. In addition, the award is designed to support young authors and to foster a spirit of competition, dialogue, and exchange among them.The terms and criteria for nomination across the various categories require publishing houses and authors to comply with intellectual property laws and to submit their publications in digital format through the award's official website. Submissions must demonstrate excellence in artistic production and reflect diversity in cultural, literary, and scientific content, in accordance with the approved regulations for each category.The award comprises eight categories. The first category, the Qatar Publishing Excellence Award, is open to applicants who hold a valid Qatari publishing license and are members of the Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum. A recent letter confirming membership and compliance with intellectual property laws is required. The publisher must have released no fewer than twenty new and diverse titles during the 2025-2026 nomination year. A list of participating Arabic-language, non-translated books, including International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs), must be submitted, and recent publications must be uploaded to the award website in PDF format. Applicants are also required to present a clear vision for the development of the publishing industry, with publications distinguished by high-quality artistic production and diverse cultural, literary, and scientific content. The prize value for this category is QAR 30,000.The second category, the International Publishing Excellence Award, requires applicants to hold a valid publishing license in their country and to be members of their national publishers' association or the Arab Publishers Association. A recent letter from the relevant publishers' union confirming membership and compliance with intellectual property laws must be provided. The publisher must have released at least thirty new and diverse titles during the 2025-2026 nomination year. A list of Arabic-language, non-translated books with ISBNs must be submitted, and the publications must be uploaded in PDF format to the award website. Applicants must demonstrate a clear vision for advancing the publishing industry, and the submitted works must be distinguished by excellence in artistic production and diversity of cultural, literary, and scientific content. The prize value is QAR 30,000.The third category, the Distinguished Qatari Publisher for Children's Books Award, is dedicated to Qatari publishers specializing in children's and young adult literature. Applicants must hold a Qatari publishing license and be members of the Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum, supported by a recent letter confirming membership and compliance with intellectual property laws. The publisher must have released at least five new Arabic-language titles in children's and young adult literature during the 2025-2026 nomination year. Submissions must be uploaded in PDF format via the award website, along with a list of participating Arabic-language, non-translated titles including ISBNs. The publications must demonstrate excellence in artistic production and diversity of cultural, literary, and scientific content. The prize value is QAR 30,000.The fourth category, the Distinguished International Publisher for Children's Books Award, is open to international publishers specializing in children's and young adult literature. Applicants must hold a valid publishing license in their country and be members of their national publishers' association or the Arab Publishers Association, with a recent letter confirming membership and compliance with intellectual property laws. The publisher must have released at least ten new Arabic-language titles in children's and young adult literature during the 2025-2026 nomination year. The publications must be submitted in PDF format, accompanied by a list of Arabic-language, non-translated titles including ISBNs, and must demonstrate excellence in artistic production and diversity of cultural, literary, and scientific content. The prize value is QAR 30,000.The fifth category, the Distinguished Publisher for Translation Award, recognizes excellence in translation. Applicants must hold a Qatari publishing license and be members of the Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum. The translated works must be produced by the Qatari publishing house and reflect its output of translations from Arabic into other languages across all categories and subject areas over a three-year period. The submitted works must demonstrate high standards of artistic production and a rich diversity of cultural, literary, and scientific content. The prize value is QAR 30,000.The sixth category, the Creative Writer Award, is open to authors who submit the publisher's consent for participation, along with the author's curriculum vitae and a synopsis of the submitted book. Each author may participate with one individually authored book only, written in Arabic and not previously translated. The total word count must be no fewer than 20,000 words for Qatari authors and 25,000 words for international authors. The book must be uploaded in PDF format to the award website, accompanied by copies of personal identification and passport documents, with full compliance with intellectual property laws. The author must be alive at the time of nomination. The prize value is QAR 20,000.The seventh category, the Creative Young Qatari Writer Award, is limited to young Qatari authors. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a synopsis of the book, and the publisher's consent for participation. Each author may submit one individually authored, Arabic-language, non-translated book with a minimum of 20,000 words. The book must be uploaded in PDF format to the award website, along with copies of personal identification or passport documents, and compliance with intellectual property rights is required. The author must be alive at the time of nomination. The prize value is QAR 20,000.The eighth and final category, the Best Pavilion Award at the 35th Doha International Book Fair, honors the pavilion distinguished by its unique design and its ability to offer a comprehensive and immersive cultural experience. The prize value for this category is QAR 40,000. 

The Ministry of Culture is participating in the sixth edition of the Iraq International Book Fair, which is being held from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13.The participation comes as part of the Ministry of Culture's commitment to enhancing the State of Qatar's presence in international cultural forums, reflecting the stature of Qatari culture, its openness to the Arab and global cultural scene, and supporting the country's efforts to build bridges of cultural communication among peoples.The Qatari pavilion features a collection of recent literary and intellectual publications issued by the Ministry of Culture and several Qatari publishing houses, highlighting the diversity of national cultural production and the richness of Qatar's creative movement.Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture and Director of the Doha International Book Fair, said in a statement that the ministry's participation in the Iraq International Book Fair is a continuation of its presence at major Arab and international cultural exhibitions. He said that the Qatari participation aims to showcase Qatar's cultural landscape and exchange expertise with international cultural institutions.He added that Qatar's presence in such events reflects the ministry's vision to support the book and publishing industry, as well as to encourage Qatari writers and creatives to reach a wider audience in the Arab world and internationally.He noted that through its international participation, the Ministry of Culture is keen to strengthen cultural relations with brotherly and friendly countries, and to introduce Qatari cultural production as part of Qatar's civilizational and human presence on the global stage.This edition of the exhibition features a wide range of local, Arab, and international publishing houses, with the attendance of hundreds of publishers and cultural institutions, reinforcing the fair's position as a prominent platform for new publications and a venue that brings together authors, creators, and those interested in publishing and reading under specialized programs.The exhibition program includes a variety of cultural activities such as book signing sessions, literary evenings, intellectual seminars, and workshops focused on the publishing industry, in addition to events aimed at youth and students, and programs designed to support reading and develop cultural skills among the public.

The Ministry of Culture offered a unique experience for visitors to the Baghdad International Book Fair through the ‘Reading Guide’ service available at its pavilion. The service aims to guide readers in choosing appropriate books that align with their interests, providing them with a unique and enriching cultural experience.The ‘Reading Guide’ service is one of the initiatives launched by the ministry, enabling visitors to identify their interests and reading preferences, then suggesting the most appropriate books. The questionnaire also provides detailed information about book prices and the publishing houses responsible for them, facilitating visitors’ search and purchasing at the fair and saving them time and effort in discovering new titles. In this context, the fair’s audience praised the ministry’s efforts, affirming their continued follow-up of all its initiatives through social media. They considered the ‘Reading Guide’ service to be one of the most impressive initiatives at the exhibition, particularly the ability to use a questionnaire that guides readers step by step toward precise choices tailored to their level of interest, making their experience at the exhibition easier and more enjoyable.

The State of Qatar will be the guest of honor at the 26th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair, which will take place from September 10 to 21.Qatar's participation in the fair underscores the country's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural movement and highlighting Qatari intellectual production in the fields of literature, poetry, thought, and the arts.It also reflects Qatar's prominent cultural standing and underscores the depth of fraternal ties between Qatar and Iraq.Qatar's cultural program at the fair includes intellectual seminars, lectures, and poetry evenings, in addition to performances by the Qatari folklore troupe, which will perform Ardha and other folk arts, reflecting the spirit of authentic cultural heritage.The Qatari pavilion will feature demonstrations of traditional crafts such as goldsmithing and wooden shipbuilding. Visitors will be able to watch and interact with craftspeople at work. In a statement, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain stated that Qatar's participation in the Baghdad International Book Fair as the guest of honor reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.It also underscores the importance of culture, which is the ideal bridge for communication and the promotion of human dialogue. This participation, he said, reflects the Ministry of Culture's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural scene, enhancing cooperation with cultural institutions and publishing houses, highlighting the richness of Qatari intellectual production, and presenting a comprehensive image of Qatar that blends contemporary creativity with a rich cultural heritage.He explained that the Qatari pavilion in the fair features a design inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, embodying national identity and expressing the connection between the past and the present in a style that combines authenticity and the spirit of innovation.He noted that the pavilion offers a comprehensive cultural experience that goes beyond book displays, allowing visitors to explore the diversity of Qatar's cultural landscape, from literature, thought, and the arts to living heritage and traditional crafts.The Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture added that the Qatari pavilion will also host a photo exhibition featuring shots of Qatar's modern landmarks, traditional architecture, and scenes of daily life, in addition to the beauty of Qatar's land and marine environment.