Baghdad: The 26th Baghdad International Book Fair kicked off Wednesday under the theme 'Baghdad Is More Beautiful, When We Read.' Interestingly, the State of Qatar is participating as Guest of Honor this year in a cultural showcase highlighting its heritage, history, arts, and culture.
According to Qatar News Agency, the fair was inaugurated by HE Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, and HE Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities of Iraq Dr. Ahmed Fikak Al Badrani. It was attended by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Iraq Sultan bin Mubarak Al Kubaisi, and a variety of Their Excellencies, ministers, and ambassadors in Iraq.
Running until Sept. 21, the Ministry of Culture is participating with a booth that showcases Qatari intellectual production, promotion of the ministry's e-library, as well as cultural and intellectual engagement. HE Al Ali expressed his pride in the State of Qatar's participation as Guest of Honor at this event, emphasizing that it embodies the depth of cultural, historic, and brotherly ties between the two sisterly countries and their peoples.
This participation comes as part of energized efforts to promote the Qatari cultural presence on the regional and global stages, contributing to supporting the Arab cultural arena and providing a vibrant and interactive platform to pay homage to books and innovators, he underlined. His Excellency underscored the ministry's commitment to supporting the components of the publishing and distribution sector and spotlighting Qatari intellectual and literary production, in addition to strengthening initiatives aimed at advancing cultural exchange.
He noted that the Qatari cultural program at this fair showcases a rich array of activities, exhibitions, and seminars offering visitors a comprehensive cultural experience. Qatar News Agency (QNA) reached Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, who underlined that the ministry has been committed to having a strong participation in this fair through showcasing intellectual production.
He indicated that selecting the State of Qatar as Guest of Honor at this event offers an opportunity to showcase the deep-rooted cultural and historical bonds between the two brotherly nations. The participation includes showcasing the ministry's various releases, both old and new, in a wide diversity of knowledge fields, such as novels, law, as well as social and human sciences, in addition to outstanding releases of children's and youth books and initiatives that encourage reading, Al Buainain highlighted.
He explained that the Qatari booth is characterized by a design inspired by Qatari traditional architecture that embodies national identity, expressing the connections between the past and present with a style that fuses authenticity with the spirit of innovation. The booth showcases an integrated cultural experience that is not limited to books but goes beyond to offer visitors a glimpse of the diverse Qatari cultural scene in terms of literature, thought, arts, as well as vibrant heritage and traditional craftsmanship, he said.
Al Buainain further added that the booth showcases photographs capturing Qatar's modern landmarks, along with its traditional architecture, scenes of daily life, and the splendor of the land and marine environment. Finally, he noted that alongside this participation, the Ministry is holding intellectual seminars, lectures, and evening poetry sessions, as well as a variety of events devoted to children at the children's zone.
He highlighted that the program also features performances by the Qatari folk troupe, presenting Al Ardha alongside other folk arts in a vivid tableau reflecting the spirit of authentic cultural heritage. The booth further showcases traditional crafts such as goldsmithing and wooden shipbuilding, allowing visitors to watch artisans at work and engage directly with them.
Baghdad International Book Fair is one of the most consequential events in the region, with the participation of more than 600 domestic, Arab, and international publishing houses from over 20 countries, something that nurtures the cultural movement and spotlights the significance of books and reading.