A view of Qatar National Library.
Qatar National Library is participating in Europe’s first Arabic book fair, held via the European virtual platform specialising in Arabic book exhibits with 2D, 3D, from August 20 till September 4.
The Arabic Book Fair in the EU is the first of its kind to take place entirely virtually, organised by publishers Nordk Digital World and Dar Lusail Publishing in collaboration with the Arabiskabazar.se website, which sells Arabic books to the European market.
Qatar National Library’s involvement in the cultural programme that is held on the side lines of the Fair will include a lecture, revealing its efforts to support the preservation of documentary heritage, looking at future projects in countering the trafficking and illegal circulation of heritage items in the Middle East and North Africa region and neighbouring countries.
Staff from the Library is also offering delegates information on Qatar Digital Library, a lecture on Qatari history, as well as a storytelling session from the Children and Young Adults team.
The Fair is taking place in virtual environment, allowing visitors to roam between participating publishing houses, displaying over 27,000 books. It encourages intellectual diversity between East and West, featuring distinguished guests from Sweden, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Netherlands, and Britain, besides Qatar.
The cultural programme features lectures by Arab writers, authors and thinkers, in addition to seminars on translation and publishing and ways to activate cooperation between the Arab region and Europe with regard to Arab culture. It also features seminars on the importance and mechanisms of teaching Arabic to children in Europe.
Representatives from Qatar National Library at the event include Maryam Al Mutawa, Head of Collection Access, Distinctive Collection; Ebrahim Al Bishri, Senior Information Services Librarian; Haya Alsheeb, Information Services Librarian; Maryam Al Khalosi, Information Services Librarian; Maha Al Naimi, Information Services Librarian, History and Philosophy; and Maxim Nasra, Book Conservation Specialist.
Amani Saleh Alyafei, Head of Science at Qatar National Library, said, “We are delighted to play a key role in this one-of-a-kind event. The Arabic Book Fair in EU features a distinguished cultural programme in partnership with a whole host of important research centres, specialised institutions and other Arab book fairs.
“Qatar National Library facilitates knowledge acquisition by safeguarding the past, embracing the present, and helping to define the future. Being a part of such a dynamic event using the latest modern technology is vital — as is our support for initiatives which reveal Arab culture to European audiences and encourage intellectual diversity wherever possible,” she said.
Thousands of titles for hundreds of Arab publishing houses are available to virtual visitors. The Fair supports the spread of Arab culture in Europe, including the launch of a coveted prize for Arab young writers in Europe, as well as a number of initiatives on book publishing and distribution in Europe.
