The 33rd Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre is currently underway, showcasing a variety of publications from local press houses and embassies. Among the participants, the Katara Publishing House, established by the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, stands out with its diverse collection of books in both English and Arabic. One of the highlights at the Katara booth is the children’s book “Curious Desert Dwellers” by Merve Kenet Bulun, which introduces young readers to classical music and its instruments.
Merve Kenet Bulun, a violist with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and Founder of CineMoon Ensemble, was inspired to create educational materials for classical music after noticing a lack of resources for children and young adults. The book, now in its second edition, features desert animals who are curious about the world around them and eager to learn and discover new things in their environment. Other releases at the Katara Publishing House include “Kahraman” by Hamad Al Suliti, which explores minerals and their uses, as well as a 12-volume Cultural Encyclopedia and books on media, pearl diving, fine art, traditional ships, and more in Qatar.
In addition to local press houses, several embassies have also set up booths at the book fair to showcase their cultural diversity. Participating embassies include those of Indonesia, Korea, Japan, USA, Italy, and more. The Japanese Embassy, for example, offers activities such as Japanese calligraphy and origami, with skilled calligraphers available to write visitors’ names in Japanese. Similarly, the Korea booth features traditional Korean clothing (Hanbok) and instruments for visitors to explore.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar, H E Ridwan Hassan, emphasized the importance of the Doha International Book Fair as a platform for building understanding and tolerance among societies with different backgrounds. The fair is open daily from 9am to 10pm, except on Fridays when it opens from 3pm to 10pm. Admission to the event is free of charge, providing an opportunity for all book enthusiasts to explore the diverse range of publications and cultural offerings from both local and international participants.
