- Book fair features over 500 publishers from 37 countries
- Saudi Arabia is the guest of honour this year
Some 505 publishers from 37 countries are participating in the book fair this year, which is being held under the slogan 'With Reading We Rise'. Saudi Arabia is the guest of honour at DIBF 2023.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs toured the fair's pavilions, where he was briefed on the works of the participating Qatari, Arab and foreign publishing houses, as well as the latest publications, books and manuscripts of government agencies, Arab and international cultural institutions and the embassies accredited to the country, especially the pavilion of Saudi Arabia.
HE Sheikh Mohamed also visited the Children's Oasis and listened to an explanation about the cultural activities accompanying the fair, including seminars and lectures.
The opening was attended by a number of guests, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions and senior officials.
DIBF 2023, which continues until June 21, aims to consolidate the status of culture in the country and confirm the pivotal role of knowledge in the renaissance of Qatari society. Launched back in 1972, the fair seeks to become a cultural and intellectual beacon in Qatar and the region.
The 32nd DIBF is the largest edition of the fair as hundreds of local, Arab and international publishing houses are taking part with about 180,000 titles and 750,000 books.
Saudi Arabia, the guest of honour, is participating with a special pavilion that includes a collection of different kinds of books, as well as contributions by poets and narrators who present different aspects of their country's culture.
The fair presents a rich and varied cultural programme, hosting 37 cultural, scientific, literary and social seminars; poetry evenings; and activities of the Cultural Salon with 116 events that include seminars, cultural sessions and the launch of new publications.
On the sidelines of the book fair, 48 workshops will be held along with 87 performances in the Children's Oasis, including art workshops, activity spaces and a puppet theatre. Another attraction is Al Mutanabbi Street, which will host six bookstores from Baghdad. Also, as part of the live cooking initiative, there will be 28 presentations with the participation of 28 male and female chefs.
Overall, there will be 17 discussion sessions and 64 seminars and lectures at DIBF 2023.
Many ministries and State institutions are participating in the exhibition. Qatari institutions, along with publishing houses, are presenting their latest publications in the fields of knowledge and science. The most prominent of these is the pavilion of the Ministry of Culture that displays the latest publications of the ministry, along with a group of Qatari dress shops that shed light on the culture of clothing, in addition to musical instruments and artefacts. The central area features artistic activities such as playing the oud and violin, plastic art and photography.
The Doha International Book Fair is providing many services to the public, including a reading guide service and an 'ask me' service, in addition to a mobile application to search for books, public services and free parking for the public.