Doha: During the 35th edition of the Doha International Book Fair, the Ministry of Culture has launched the 'This Is Qatar' encyclopedia in 12 new languages. Originally available in English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Italian, the Ministry has worked in cooperation with several embassies in the country to make it available in Urdu, Hindi, German, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Filipino, and Korean.
According to Qatar News Agency, at the opening of the book fair, the Ministry of Culture announced that 'This Is Qatar' was this year's guest of honor. In this regard, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture, Nasser Al Maliki, stated that 'This Is Qatar' is a cultural project that introduces the State of Qatar to the world in a comprehensive manner, reflecting its history, cultural identity, and developmental and humanitarian achievements.
Al Maliki noted that the encyclopedia serves as a soft power tool to strengthen Qatar's cultural presence globally, offering a modern knowledge-based discourse that addresses peoples in their own languages. Through 'This Is Qatar,' the Ministry seeks to promote cultural dialogue and openness, showcasing Qatar as a country where authenticity and modernity blend, stemming from the Ministry's belief in culture's role as a bridge among nations and peoples.
The Director emphasized that launching the encyclopedia in multiple new languages is part of the Ministry's commitment to delivering Qatari cultural content to the widest possible range of communities and cultures worldwide, thereby enhancing the country's presence on the international cultural scene. 'This Is Qatar' encapsulates Qatari identity and preserves the country's cultural memory while targeting international audiences through translation into multiple languages, making it an effective tool for cultural introduction.
The Department of International Cooperation is actively working to employ the encyclopedia within the framework of cultural diplomacy, reaching out to embassies and international cultural and academic institutions for 'This Is Qatar' to feature in exhibitions, events, and joint cultural programs. Along with forging partnerships with universities, research centers, and international libraries, they aim to make Qatari cultural content accessible to researchers and those interested in Arab and Gulf cultural affairs.
Al Maliki highlighted the goal of increasing the encyclopedia's distribution through embassies, cultural attach©s, and Qatari cultural centers abroad to reach a broader audience and enhance the country's cultural image internationally. He described 'This Is Qatar' as a cultural investment in soft power, presenting the Qatari narrative to the world and underscoring that a country's image is shaped not only through politics or economics but also through its ability to present its identity, values, and culture compellingly and relatably.
The encyclopedia's significance lies in introducing foreign readers to Qatar beyond stereotypes, promoting a genuine and balanced understanding of the country. Making 'This Is Qatar' available in multiple languages reflects the Ministry's belief in the importance of communicating with peoples in their own languages and cultures, giving the project a significant diplomatic and cultural dimension and making it a tool for cultural dialogue between Qatar and the world.
Al Maliki concluded by saying that 'This Is Qatar' will feature at international book fairs, academic programs, intellectual forums, and university libraries as a cultural reference presenting Qatar in a contemporary and accurate manner. Additionally, it serves as a cultural medium adopted by Qatari embassies and cultural centers abroad, embodying the Ministry's vision of "Heritage, Influence, and Legacy," through investing in Qatari heritage to create a cultural and intellectual influence worldwide.