Doha: The world celebrates World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD) on Thursday, April 23. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) chose this day as an expression of the world's appreciation for books and authors, and recognition of their outstanding contributions to the renaissance, enlightenment, and social and cultural progress of humanity, in addition to encouraging reading, research, and criticism.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of the Publications and Translation Department at the Ministry of Culture, Mohammed Hassan Al Kuwari, stated that the State of Qatar and the world celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day in appreciation of the power of books as a bridge between cultures and peoples, and their role in renaissance and development.
He added that the celebration crowns the efforts of the Ministry of Culture during a whole year in issuing books by Qatari and Arab authors, as the ministry supports these authors by providing them with rewards and publishing their works in cultural events inside and outside the country. Additionally, the ministry supports Qatari publishers by adopting distinguished works in all kinds of knowledge.
Al Kuwari explained that this celebration encourages the provision of scientific, intellectual, cultural, and intellectual material to all readers of different languages and ages to achieve a goal of spreading culture and awareness and raising the taste of society. This support includes allocating pavilions for their production in book fairs, organizing launch parties for their publications, and holding dialogues about their content.
He stressed the Ministry's keenness to dedicate quality standards to publishing and support publishers to participate in foreign fairs, enhancing the achievement of several writers from Qatar in winning awards and honors in international festivals and competitions. During the last two years, the Ministry was the guest of honor at prominent international book fairs, including those in Azerbaijan, Algeria, Riyadh, Delhi, and Damascus, contributing to conveying Qatar's culture and heritage.
Regarding Qatar's renaissance in publishing, Al Kuwari highlighted the importance of publishing houses to the Ministry of Culture. They are provided with facilities, including discounts on annual fees and participation fees in the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF). The Ministry takes on responsibilities for publishing houses by purchasing publishing rights from authors and contributing to publishing these works on its electronic platforms.
He added that they now have a vast electronic library that includes publications of Qatari and Arab authors, in addition to making issues of Doha Magazine available for free to everyone.
Discussing the Ministry of Culture's library, Al Kuwari said it is a crucial part of its institutional system, sponsoring books of intellectual value. The library contains titles in various fields of knowledge, embodying the ministry's production of books and publications over 30 years, in addition to issues of Doha Magazine and books issued for more than 50 years.
Al Kuwari concluded his remarks by noting the development in Doha Magazine and the qualitative additions to the Doha platform, aiming to achieve the Ministry's goals and enhance the status of knowledge and Qatari culture through digital platforms. The Doha Magazine has expanded beyond the paper version, offering a website and programs using video, podcasts, and modern media, enabling access to the latest cultural content promptly.