Berlin, September 03 (QNA) - The three-day Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair, organized by the Arab Cultural House (Al Diwan) of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Berlin, concluded on Sunday with the participation of 66 publishing houses from various Arab and foreign countries.

During the fair, a debate on the topic of paper and e-books was held, followed by a panel discussion and presentation of the German version of a book by HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari on the North-South relationships, in addition to a symposium on the Lebanese city Tripoli from the perspective of its visitors and residents.

A book signing was also held for new publications by Arab women writers, in addition to symposiums on the role of academic institutions in promoting cultural understanding between German and Arab societies, Arabic manuscripts in Berlin, and a symposium on the motives of translation from or into Arabic.

On the third and last day of the Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair, launch events and book signings of several books by Arab writers were held, in addition to symposiums on the importance of book fairs and book publishing, the role of Arabic language teaching in the spread of Arabic books, the first establishment of Arabic books as well as the celebration of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of Dar Sader Publishers.

An initiative of a project to translate Arabic books into German was launched during the event, in collaboration with a German publishing house and under the name of the Al Diwan.

Through the project, literary, philosophical, political and sociological books picked by a specialized committee will be translated and printed at the expense of the Al Diwan.

Established in Nov. 2017 by Qatar, the Al Diwan aims to enhance communication and understanding between Arabs and Germans, by spreading Arab culture and informing the German and European audience in general about the cultural, civilizational and human role of Arabs in different eras.

The establishment of the Al Diwan stemmed from the fact that Qatar is aware of the role of culture in building bridges of human and civilized communication, dialogue and understanding.

It organizes cultural events to encourage dialogue and interaction between the Arab and the German communities, as its activities focus on cultural exchange, including artistic and photographic exhibitions, theatrical performances, music, and films.

(QNA)