The officials during the opening ceremony of the Book Fair.
Under the slogan “Reading is Life” Qatar University (QU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports organised week-long activities to commemorate the sixth edition of World Book Day, including the Annual Book Fair hosted at the QU Library.
A number of writers and scholars participated through talks, discussions and signings of their books. The fair also saw the participation of a number of local publishing and distribution houses.
The book fair was officially opened by a number of senior representatives in QU and relevant fields in the state including the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr Omar Al Ansari; QU Library Director Samia Hassan Al Shiba; the Director of Publications and Press Department Ministry of Culture and Sports, CEO of Dar Rosa Publishing, Aisha Al Kuwari; the President of Qatari Columnists Forum, Maryam Al Hamadi; as well as a number of faculty, administrators and students from QU.
Speaking at the event, Al Shiba said, “The organisation of this event coincides with the celebration of World Book Day, which is endorsed by UNESCO, and occurs every year to spread the culture of knowledge and literature.
The event supports the efforts of writers and encourages reading and publishing. Recently we have witnessed in Qatar the emergence of many creative local authors and the inauguration of new local publishing houses which help support these Qatari authors and spread the culture of Qatar. They also work to promote topics that face the current Qatar community and the region.”
Senior Engagement and Communications Specialist Fatema Al Thani commented, “Qatar University celebrates this day under the slogan ‘Reading is Life’ indicating that the book is still of great importance and an essential vessel for information and a tool for dialogue between different cultures. Qatar University’s Library works hard to continuously provide the library with books requested by students and faculty, thus achieving the university vision to promote excellence in education and research.”
World Book Day is a yearly event organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
