The second Ramadan Book Fair opened yesterday at its new venue, Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal, with the goal of promoting and fostering the culture of reading during the holy month.
Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari along with other officials attended the opening ceremony which was marked by a ribbon cutting.
Jassim Al Buainain, Director of the Fair, stated that the move from Souq Waqif to Darb Al Saai is due to the larger space and availability of the new venue, as well as the variety of events that may be hosted.
The second edition of the fair is distinct from the first because it is more varied and diversified and because it has drawn new publishing companies to participate in this year’s edition, according to Al Buainain.
He also said that a mosque has been designated for Isha and Tarawih prayers at the book fair venue.
This year 79 publishing houses are participating in the Ramadan Book Fair and which shows a significant increase compared to last year. Among them 31 are local and 48 are international publishers including from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Some 48 publishing houses participated in the fair in 2022.
Al Buainain also said that the second Ramadan Book Fair offers children’s books in English and Arabic languages.
Aside from a vast array of books available for all, the fair will also have artistic and heritage activities, religious and cultural lectures and seminars, a Garangao night, various activities for children, a Bazaar tent, Children’s theatre, and storytelling sessions. 
Today, March 31, a seminar titled “The importance of family building in Islam” will be held; tomorrow, April 1, A day with the family of the Prophet; April 2, Guardianship features in immunizing the family; April 3, Cognitive openness and its impact on the family; April 4, Rules in the family reconciliation industry, Symposium on science ethics and etiquette; and April 5, The mother between the responsibility of the job and he tasks of education.
Meanwhile, the children’s events which will run daily from 9pm include workshops on pottery, stories of the Prophets, Lego, Eid card, and Ramadan shapes among others. The Ramadan Book Fair will run until April 5, from 7pm to 12am, and is located at Darb Al Saai where the Qatar National Day 2022 celebration was held. To get there via Metro, take a green line to Al Rayyan Al Qadeem station and a shuttle bus service is being provided from the metro station to the event site.
Source : The Peninsula
