Doha: A number of Gulf publishing houses participate in the 33rd Doha International Book Fair at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, with distinguished publications featuring science, knowledge and culture, besides other books that highlight the most prominent heritage and archaeological monuments in the Gulf countries.
During a tour of the Doha International Book Fair, Qatar News Agency monitored the official Gulf participations, in addition to what the pavilions of the participating Gulf publishing houses were also displaying.
In this context, Faisal Al Shehab, Head of the Book Fairs Department at the Omani Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said that the participation of the Sultanate of Oman (guest of honor) in the Doha International Book Fair this year comes with the aim of enhancing Gulf, Arab and international cultural communication, and in view of the strength and privacy of the ties between the two countries. This participation is also considered an opportunity to present the Omani cultural, artistic, civilizational and social achievement to visitors to the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), which is visited by large and important figures, as well as the visit of many intellectuals, interested people and writers from inside and outside the State of Qatar.
He added that a group of 18 official departments and Omani publishing houses are participating in the Doha International Book Fair, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, which is participating in the Omani Encyclopedia, in addition to the participation of the Ministry of Information, and many other Omani institutions and publishing houses.
One of the most prominent publications of the Omani pavilion is the Omani Encyclopedia, which is an encyclopedic reference that documents Oman, man and nature. It consists of nine fields in ancient Omani history, writing, media, economics, institutions, the Omani land, the animal kingdom, and the plant kingdom. It contains ten volumes arranged in alphabetical order, pointing out that there is also participation in the Omani Encyclopedia. For young people, it is the first cultural project emanating from the Omani Encyclopedia. It targets young people from the age of 9 to 17 years. It consists of 6 fields: Omans history and present, the Omani land, flags from Oman, the plant kingdom, the animal kingdom, and cultural heritage.
For his part, Mazen Basqer, a participant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said that the Doha International Book Fair is considered a meeting place of cultures, where all types of books and areas of reading are available under one roof, with diverse and distinct cultural events that attract the public.
He added that Gulf publishing houses are keen to be present and participate in this Fair, from which knowledge and literature emerge from every nook and corner. This Fair also enjoys great public interest from inside and outside the State of Qatar, and we, as Gulf publishing houses, have noticed the extent of interest of the reader in the State of Qatar in buying the selected books that reflect the culture of Qatari society.
He pointed out that the house shares a variety of books, including short stories, books on novels, translated books, and scientific books. The house also offers gifts to the public in Arabic calligraphy.
For his part, Jassim Al Omran, a participant from the State of Kuwait said that they are participating in the Doha International Book Fair for the sixth time in a row, as we are keen to be present in this exhibition, which is considered one of the important exhibitions regionally and in the Arab world, noting that the reader in the State of Qatar chooses what he finds appropriate.
He added that the house participates in the Doha International Book Fair with a group of realistic and social stories, in addition to historical publications, and what distinguishes the house is its participation in showcasing historical and religious publications and philosophy books.
Source: Qatar News Agency