Qatar's Ministry of Culture takes part in Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair in Berlin

Qatar is taking part through its Ministry of Culture in the fourth edition of Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair in Berlin, which runs from October 16 to 18. The Peninsula reported, in an article credited to QNA, that the fair opened on Friday. It said the ministry's cultural program features five seminars covering books, publishing, cultural identity, literature and poetry.

Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture and Director of the Doha International Book Fair, said the ministry's participation coincides with the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, according to The Peninsula. He said it gives an opportunity to showcase Qatar's cultural output, highlight local publications and initiatives, and strengthen ties with cultural institutions, publishers and authors worldwide.

Al Buainain listed the five seminar topics: the role of book fairs in cultural exchange, sea in Qatari memory, the role of cultural institutions in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding between societies, the status of Arabic poetry, and digital literature and contemporary publishing. Gulf Times carried the same account of the program and of his remarks.

In a report on the preparations, Qatar News Agency said more than 110 publishing houses from the Arab world and Germany were taking part. Dr Lawrence Hanawi, director of the Arab Cultural House "Al Diwan", told QNA that all exhibition stands were ready. Qatar Tribune gave the figure as 110 Arab and foreign publishing houses.

QNA named several Qatari participants. Novelist Shamma Shaheen Al Kuwari, winner of the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel and the State Award for Children's Literature, will take part in the seminar on digital literature and contemporary publishing. Poet Abdulrahman Al Dulaimi, director of the Department of Culture and Arts at Qatar's Ministry of Culture, will join a poetry evening. Ibrahim Al Buhashim Al Sayed, director-general of Qatar National Library, will join the discussion on cultural institutions.

QNA added that the maritime heritage seminar will feature researcher Mohammed Al Sayegh, who specializes in documenting maritime heritage at the Ministry of Culture, and traditional artist Omar Bu Saqer, an expert in traditional maritime arts.

Qatar Tribune reported that the inauguration ceremony was attended by Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, Ambassador of Qatar to Germany and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al Diwan. Al Buainain, Bachar Chebaro, Secretary-General of the Arab Publishers Association, and Christina Beinhoff, Head of the Directorate-General for Culture and Communication at the German Federal Foreign Office, also attended. According to the newspaper, the ambassador said investing in books and knowledge means investing in people and a more open, understanding future.

QNA said the opening day would feature the 2026 Riwaq Prize for Science and Culture, organized by Diwan with the Orient Institute Beirut, honoring three researchers for academic publications in the humanities. It also gave the opening hours: Friday from 3pm to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, local time.