The 30th edition of the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), which was held under the patronage of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, concluded on Saturday.

335 publishers from 31 countries participated in the DIBF, the ten-day event which was held under he slogan "Do You Then Not Contemplate".

H.E. Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali confirmed today in his open dialogue with the authors and visitors in the DIBF that the exhibition has succeeded in expressing Ministry's vision towards a conscious society with an authentic mind and a healthy body.

His Excellency indicated that the Ministry of Culture and Sports is working to invest in the emerging generation in coordination with all state institutions and work to promote reading and consolidate the relationship between children and writers through the use of creative models, activities and workshops.

He explained that the exhibition succeeded in realizing its slogan "Do You Then Not Contemplate" as its purpose was to provoke attention and contemplation among the society, stressing that thinking is a major reason for the civilization renaissance. He stressed the necessity to think, in light of the openness to the world and the large number of ideas put forth from everywhere.

His Excellency the Minister of Culture and Sports explained that the role of the Ministry is to create and maintain the appropriate environment for the growth of the cultural scene, not merely to organize events. He referred to the great role played by the private publishers, pointing that the Ministry granted licenses to 13 publishers.

His Excellency also touched on the celebration of the cultural year Qatar-France 2020 during the exhibition activities, through French activities, pointing that it was taken into account in the design of the Latin Quarter that reflects the Renaissance in France.

"We need a constructive and active criticism movement in all cultural fields," H.E. the Minister said stressing that the ministry will have a role in spreading culture and focusing on quality rather than quantity. He further underlined the role of books in cultural gatherings and forums and the need for a critical movement to accompany intellectual writing.

H.E. Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali explained that the Ministry will not play its role without qualified human cadres, calling on those who have any positive initiatives to submit them and they will be studied and supported during the developments process, stressing that culture is everyone's responsibility and not only a responsibility of officials.

H.E. Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali honored the winners of the competition "Do You Then Not Contemplate", where the students of Al Qadisiyah Primary School for Boys won the first position, and the students of Rawda Rashed Primary School for Girls ranked second, besides His Excellency honored a group of young authors who participated in the exhibition.

Director of the Culture and Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture and Sports Hamad Mohammed Al Zakiba said that what has been achieved in DIBF and cultural matters was the result of the response of H.E. the Minister of Culture and Sports to the Qatari authors, following their meeting during the 2016 exhibition so that their ideas and initiatives turn into major cultural projects, including the launch of the Qatari publishing houses, the Qatari Forum for Authors and several cultural centers, which contributed to creating a great cultural movement in the country.

Regarding the results of the 30th DIBF, Al Zakiba presented statistics confirming the success and excellence of the exhibition, where the average daily number of visitors reached 31,994, bringing the approximate total number of visitors during the exhibition period to 319,937 visitors. The total number of sold books reached about 215,840 books, and 534 new books were launched and signed, he added. He pointed out that the number of events held inside the pavilions of DIBF amounted to 453, where 47 activities were presented on the main stage, between a symposium, a lecture and an evening of art and poetry, with the participation of 74 guests. The total approximate attendance of seminars and lectures reached 3,678, while 29 training workshops were held during the exhibition, and the number of activities at "Qatar School" reached 134 events. The number of visiting schools reached 685 schools, 55 school workshops were held, 34 schools and 170 students participated in the "Do You Then Not Contemplate" competition, and the cultural salon included 33 activities, including 23 signatures and 11 sessions.

Dr. Nizar Shakron, Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Sports said that the 30th DIBF succeeded in overcoming all previous sessions, but the most important thing is the success in turning the exhibition into a family-oriented exhibition and not only for the elite, as the ministry succeeded in creating the interaction of society and the family and that it is greater than the interaction of the elite. He pointed out that the DIBF brought together the publisher, the author, and the public to participate in creating a common ground to find the appropriate environment for the advancement of the cultural project that the state wants.

Source: QNA

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Sumaica Asad

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