Qatar Airways’ cabin crew joined Oryx Kids Club mascots, Orry, Orah and friends, to surprise children attending the opening day of the 30th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) recently.
Oryx Kids Club gifts were distributed among the children at the event.
DIBF, which takes place until January 18, is the largest international book fair in the region, held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and supervision of the Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events Centre.
As a silver sponsor of the event, Qatar Airways has also sponsored the flights of five world-famous authors, including Man Booker International winner Jokha Alharthi from Oman, American graphic novelist Willow Wilson, Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi, Adham Sharkawi and Mohamed Zarrouk, who are travelling to Qatar to participate in public lectures and book signings during the 10-day event.
Qatar Airways senior vice-president (Marketing and Corporate Communications) Salam al-Shawa said: “Reading is one of life’s greatest joys and we are proud to support the Doha International Book Fair this year in its work to promote a love of books. Our Oryx Kids Club toys and exercise books are designed to engage children in reading and learning, as well as having fun, and we hope that the children enjoy the gift bags we distributed at the event. I encourage all visitors and residents of Qatar to visit DIBF during the few days to be inspired by the books on display and the authors attending.”
DIBF director Jassem al-Buainain said: “We thank Qatar Airways for its participation in and support for the book fair, which is really support for reading and culture. Around 335 publishing houses are participating in the event, and among them are Arab and foreign publishers and others for children books. There are 797 pavilions in addition to the participation of a number of embassies.”
Organised in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to develop the nation’s knowledge economy, the event aims to promote reading and publishing in Qatar.
More than 30 countries from around the world are participating in this year’s event, with involvement from Belgium and Australia for the first time, and a special focus on France with the Qatar-France Year of Culture taking place in 2020.
Qatar Airways’ cabin crew with Oryx Kids Club mascots, Orry, Orah and friends, and children at the event.
