Doha, June 21 (QNA) - The 32nd edition of Doha International Book Fair wrapped up its activities on Wednesday at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center which was running during Jun. 12-21.

Commenting on this occasion, HE Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali Al Maadeed said the 32nd edition of Doha International Book Fair witnessed an unprecedented cultural, intellectual and artistic movement, adding that its success was based on multiple factors chief of which is the wide and valuable participation of local, Arab and international publishing houses whose roles were integrated to offer an exceptional experience to visitors and those interested in reading, literature, arts and culture, as well as the diverse titles, books, collectibles, manuscripts and other exhibits that enriched the taste of audience and offered them wider choices to read constantly updated materials in all fields of thought and innovation.

His Excellency said he was delighted to see a huge turn out from the public who came to the event from inside and outside Qatar and the positive effect the package of activities had made and received wide commendations from various segments.

Being a trailblazing cultural beacon in Qatar and the region, Al Maadeed outlined that the fair epitomizes the vision of the Ministry of Culture that seeks to promote the cultural scene through supporting book localization efforts and create authorship and publication, in addition to providing an interactive platform that brings authors and publishers together under one umbrella. He asserted that the had fair successfully achieved its goals to be added to the valued events the ministry organized this year, such as seasons of seminars, Ramadan Book Fair 2023, Doha Theater Festival and Universities Poetry Competition, in pursuit of achieving the Ministry's strategy that strives to support intellectuals and innovators.

For his part, Director of Doha International Book Fair Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain said this year edition offered enormous cultural collections and unique experiences through organizing over 500 events during all days of the fair, adding that the main theatre featured a wide range of cultural and intellectual symposia that reached 37 symposia, and all witnessed a substantial number of attendants, alongside intellectuals and visitors.

He added that a roughly 15,000 children received ample share from excellent events that included 10 sections of artistic workshops and large spaces that were allocated for children's activities and toys theatre, pointing out that Doha International Book Fair represents a trailblazing cultural demonstration and an inclusive forum for intellectuals, innovators and those interested in reading books, and has been evolving dramatically year after year which serves the ministry's goals in propagating science and knowledge and promoting Qatar's efforts, along with its national vision 20230.

The Ministry of Culture was keen to organize a distinguished edition of Doha International Book Fair, in terms of quality and quantity which attracted the admiration of a wide spectrums of visitors. The event featured a significant cultural and intellectual momentum with the participation of 37 countries and 550 publishing houses, along with numerous internal entities and ministries.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was an honored guest in this edition which offered a cultural experience that demonstrated the rich heritage and authentic culture of the Kingdom and showcased its outstanding efforts in supporting the cultural movement with its various components at the regional and international levels. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcased a variety of cultural programmes which included a myriad of symposia, interactive lectures, panel discussions and poetry evenings that marked the Arab Poetry 2023 Year of Arabic Poetry 2023 in Saudi Arabia.

During its participation, Saudi Arabia showcased outstanding releases, knowledge, and modern cultural additions, along with artifacts and models that were discovered on its lands. 

The fair also featured multiple participations from cultural institutions in the Arab world chief of which are the Omani Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Youth and Sports in Morocco, Algerian Ministry of Culture, Palestinian Ministry of Culture, National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature in Kuwait, General Egyptian Book Organization (SIS), alongside Yemeni and UAE's institutions.

Also, UNESCO and its regional office in Doha had a pavilion in the fair, in addition to wide participations of numerous embassies in Doha, including embassies of USA, France, Japan, Russia, Korea, Indonesia and Azerbaijan, as well as several Arab embassies. (QNA)