Cultural diversity on display at Doha book fair

Doha, Qatar: Local press houses and embassies shine at the ongoing 33rd Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre,...

Doha, Qatar: Local press houses and embassies shine at the ongoing 33rd Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, showcasing their country’s culture, tradition, arts, scientific studies, among others through various publications.

Among the participants, the Katara Publishing House, a cultural project established by the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara stands out. Offering a wide array of books in both English and Arabic, the booth reflects the diversity and cultural richness of the Gulf region.

A highlight at the Katara Publishing House is the children’s book “Curious Desert Dwellers” authored by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) Violist Merve Kenet Bulun. The book, now in its second edition, aims to introduce young readers to classical music and its instruments. Bulun, also the Founder and Artistic Director of CineMoon Ensemble, a member of QPO told The Peninsula that she was inspired to create educational materials for classical music after recognising a lack of such resources for children and young adults.

She said the book is “a story directly told from the desert, from a place which is not very well-known geographical part of the world. Story tellers in the book are the desert animals who are very curious for the knowledge. They want to learn and discover things in their environment.”