The Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum is organising the Children's Literature Fair from Wednesday.
The four-day event at Tawar Mall is considered one of the first fairs specialising in children's literature in Qatar, according to a press statement by the Ministry of Culture.
The forum announced the fair's logo Monday in addition to the details of the event, which coincides with World Children's Day, celebrated on November 20 annually. The organisation of the fair is based on the vision of the Ministry of Culture and objectives of the forum, which include participation in local and international publishing, distribution events as well as book fairs in co-operation and co-ordination with the ministry and other cultural entities.
It also comes with the aim of "revitalising the cultural movement and ensuring the basic values of culture related to the Qatari identity, while encouraging reading and writing by intensifying programmes to introduce books through various means", the statement noted.
Amna Mohamed Abugrgaa, the fair co-ordinator, said the event aims to encourage the publishing and distribution industry by displaying the publications of Qatari publishing and distribution houses and to encourage reading among children.
The exhibition seeks to prepare a generation capable of reading and writing, in harmony with Arab and Islamic national identity, and able to coexist with the cultural diversity and social fabric of Qatar and the world.
The Qatari Publishers and Distributors' Forum aims to support publishing houses and distributors by raising the level of professionalism in the industry and enhancing co-operation between them.
One of the forum's main goals is to publish and distribute the production of Qatari authors locally, regionally and internationally, aiding their participation in local and international publishing and distribution events and book fairs.
Several entities will participate in the fair, including Wijdan Cultural Centre, the Theater Affairs Centre, Qatar Museums, local publishing and distribution houses, Qatar Reads (part of Qatar Foundation) and Children's Literature Centre, among others.
The fair will include several activities and attractions, including a display of children’s books, workshops and professional workshops for publishers in the field of children’s books, theatrical performances, a cinematic show, competitions with gifts, in addition to many other engaging events.