The Ministry of Culture observed the 'World Book and Copyright Day', which coincides with April 23 each year.The day was chosen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to express the appreciation of the whole world to book and authors through encouraging reading habits and renewing respect for the unique contributions made by intellectuals, writers and novelists who paved the way for social and cultural progress of the entire humanity.During this day, the Ministry of Culture organised a wide range of cultural events in a number of shopping compounds and launched an initiative to distribute books to the audience and readers in pursuit of promoting the value of books and authors. The events witnessed a high public turnout to borrow valuable books that depict novels, stories, awareness books and other cultural materials.On this occasion, the director of the Publications and Translation Department at the Ministry of Culture, Mohamed Hassan al-Kuwari, said that marking World Book and Copyright Day is significantly important for the ministry, because it is one of the cultural propagation sources, in addition to introducing the innovators, along with the Qatari, Arab and global creativity.The ministry has been keen to participate in the events through various releases, including cultural and translated publications with multiple sciences and skills, he pointed out, noting that the ministry issued a series of books and novels.All these various books constitute a mosaic of knowledge for the Qatari community, especially since the participation of the ministry through various valuable books aims to propagate the distinguished culture in the Qatari community, in tandem with the paper and electronic publishing, which is distinguished by its speed in reaching out to readers worldwide through links that give them access to the Ministry's publications, and browsing nearly 500 e-books from the ministry's various publications, al-Kuwari outlined.For her part, the director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Maryam Yassin al-Hammadi, said the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day comes to promote a vital value towards authors and books, as culture circles all over the world are participating through various events that enhance the intellectual rights of authors and appreciate their instrumental and effective role in the community, as well as promote reading and books.The world considers these events the driver to highlight the magic power of books, because they connect the past and the present and transmit it to people, and represent an intergenerational and intercultural bridge, al-Hammadi said. She added that the history of celebrating this day is symbolic in global literature which coincides with the death of a contingent of noble writers, such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de La Vega.It is normal for Unesco to choose this date to highlight the status of authors and the significance of books at the global level to encourage people, in general, and young people, in particular, to explore the enjoyment of reading and pay tribute to the unique contributions made by writers who pushed the social and cultural progress of humanity forward, al-Hammadi clarified. She called on the community to pay tribute to authors and books in this day and further discuss their books and ideas.Qatari local writers have contributed with the numerous themes of societal awareness, in addition to the value-based thought that preserves communities and advances them, and they deserve thanks and appreciation, she said, calling on them to further provide creativity and giving.
April 24, 2023 | 06:43 PM