Qatar National Library (QNL) is all set to celebrate Qatar National Day with its biggest-ever roll call of lectures, discussions and interactive forums, it was announced on Sunday.
On December 5, QNL will run an Instagram Live event looking at the achievements of Qatari author Eissa Abdullah, featuring a deep dive into his most popular books and his upcoming new release.
On December 7, Khaled al-Maadid, deputy director general of Al-Urban Centre, will present a special lecture on the educational pioneers in Qatar from 1890 to 1957.
On December 8, Ali al-Fayyadh, owner of the Ali Al-Fayyadh Library, will discuss his experience in creating a private library and offer insights into putting together a collection of wonders from the world of literature.
Beginning December 10, aspiring young wordsmiths can join the “Children’s and Young Adults Writing Challenge.” Participants in two age groups 9 to 12 and 13 to 18 can pen a story in Arabic or English on the theme "Qatar in a time before you were born.”
The story can be based on true events or fiction and needs to be set in Qatar, while containing imaginative ideas, memorable characters and an exciting plot. Winning stories will be shared on the Library’s social media channels. Adults can also take part in “Celebrate Qatar Through Storytelling” by sharing an original short story or piece of writing expressing their love of Qatar in 1,000 words, in Arabic or English.
Also on December 10, QNL will run an interactive contest about Qatar's history, culture, traditions and economy. The challenge requires participants to correctly answer a set of 20 questions in 30 seconds. That same day, patrons will have the opportunity to share their hopes and ideas for making Qatar a better place for all. People will be invited to hang their ideas on a tree placed in QNL’s Main Plaza.
On December 13 in an online session librarian Latifa al-Amri will interview Qatari athlete Mariam Farid, who competed in 400m hurdles in the 17th World Athletics Championship in Doha in 2019.
On December 14, QNL will run a virtual event looking at the contribution of Sheikh Jassim al-Thani, the Founder of Qatar, to printing and publishing books in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The following day, patrons can join a talk with Instagram account owner "Turath Lawal" about the significance of preserving Qatari heritage through social media.
On December 15, a robot will perform the traditional “Ardah” dance, in collaboration with Hamad Bin Abdullah bin Jasim Secondary School.
December 16 will see QNL exploring the poetic diwan of Sheikh Jassim the Founder and the different themes in his poems, including religion, politics, courage and power.
On December 17, children and their families can enjoy “Qatar Through My Five Senses” by learning through a variety of fun activities for Qatar National Day. Adults can take part in a Wikithon, where they will edit articles and topics on Wikipedia related to the country.
On December 20, there is a virtual lecture looking at the history of Qatar on maps. Qatar has been identified on European maps for around 2,000 years and was even represented as a peninsula on some 16th-century maps, but then disappeared completely for over 200 years.
On December 28, join manuscript specialists and guest lecturers at the Library for a chance to learn about the rich collection of the Heritage Library’s manuscripts, in addition to its virtual and digital services.
On December 29 there is a lecture on the changing role of Qatari families past and present, in co-operation with the Family Research Centre and with the participation of Dr Fatma al-Kubaisi of Qatar University.
On December 30 is a seminar with Mohammed Jassim al-Baker, the presenter of the Al-Rayyan TV programme Birds of Qatar.
Abeer Saad al-Kuwari, director of Research and Learning Services at QNL, said the programme of events throughout December caters to people of all ages and interests to celebrate Qatar National Day.
On December 7, Khaled al-Maadid, deputy director general of Al-Urban Centre, will present a special lecture on the educational pioneers in Qatar from 1890 to 1957.
On December 8, Ali al-Fayyadh, owner of the Ali Al-Fayyadh Library, will discuss his experience in creating a private library and offer insights into putting together a collection of wonders from the world of literature.
Beginning December 10, aspiring young wordsmiths can join the “Children’s and Young Adults Writing Challenge.” Participants in two age groups 9 to 12 and 13 to 18 can pen a story in Arabic or English on the theme "Qatar in a time before you were born.”
The story can be based on true events or fiction and needs to be set in Qatar, while containing imaginative ideas, memorable characters and an exciting plot. Winning stories will be shared on the Library’s social media channels. Adults can also take part in “Celebrate Qatar Through Storytelling” by sharing an original short story or piece of writing expressing their love of Qatar in 1,000 words, in Arabic or English.
Also on December 10, QNL will run an interactive contest about Qatar's history, culture, traditions and economy. The challenge requires participants to correctly answer a set of 20 questions in 30 seconds. That same day, patrons will have the opportunity to share their hopes and ideas for making Qatar a better place for all. People will be invited to hang their ideas on a tree placed in QNL’s Main Plaza.
On December 13 in an online session librarian Latifa al-Amri will interview Qatari athlete Mariam Farid, who competed in 400m hurdles in the 17th World Athletics Championship in Doha in 2019.
On December 14, QNL will run a virtual event looking at the contribution of Sheikh Jassim al-Thani, the Founder of Qatar, to printing and publishing books in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The following day, patrons can join a talk with Instagram account owner "Turath Lawal" about the significance of preserving Qatari heritage through social media.
On December 15, a robot will perform the traditional “Ardah” dance, in collaboration with Hamad Bin Abdullah bin Jasim Secondary School.
December 16 will see QNL exploring the poetic diwan of Sheikh Jassim the Founder and the different themes in his poems, including religion, politics, courage and power.
On December 17, children and their families can enjoy “Qatar Through My Five Senses” by learning through a variety of fun activities for Qatar National Day. Adults can take part in a Wikithon, where they will edit articles and topics on Wikipedia related to the country.
On December 20, there is a virtual lecture looking at the history of Qatar on maps. Qatar has been identified on European maps for around 2,000 years and was even represented as a peninsula on some 16th-century maps, but then disappeared completely for over 200 years.
On December 28, join manuscript specialists and guest lecturers at the Library for a chance to learn about the rich collection of the Heritage Library’s manuscripts, in addition to its virtual and digital services.
On December 29 there is a lecture on the changing role of Qatari families past and present, in co-operation with the Family Research Centre and with the participation of Dr Fatma al-Kubaisi of Qatar University.
On December 30 is a seminar with Mohammed Jassim al-Baker, the presenter of the Al-Rayyan TV programme Birds of Qatar.
Abeer Saad al-Kuwari, director of Research and Learning Services at QNL, said the programme of events throughout December caters to people of all ages and interests to celebrate Qatar National Day.
