Doha: The Ministry of Culture and Qatar National Library (QNL) have announced the launch of a new reading space starting from Thursday, Aug.29 until Sept.30, 2024, at Place Vendome Mall. The event is organized by QNLs Qatar Reads program. The initiative aims to encourage the community to read, borrow books, and engage in childrens activities within a vibrant atmosphere of shopping and socializing. It is also designed to be a welcoming environment where individuals of all ages can immerse themselves in captivating books, engage in stimulating conversations on literature, and explore new interests. Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture, Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, said: "The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant reading culture in Qatar through various initiatives designed to spread knowledge and elevate the community. The reading space is part of our ongoing efforts to enable individuals to access knowledge sources and foster a love for reading. We are also proud to highlight the role of Qatari publishers who contribute to the dissemination of local thought and creativity. Through this event, we aim to support cultural and intellectual production in the country.". The activation will feature a range of activities within the reading space, such as donating used books to facilitate knowledge exchange among community members. Additionally, it will showcase publications from the Ministry of Culture and from Qatari publishers, including Dar Roza, Dar Al-Watad, Dar Napjah, and Ktateeb that fall under the Ministry of Culture's umbrella. For her part, Project Manager at Qatar Reads, Fatema Al-Malki said: "We aim through this initiative to cultivate a deeper appreciation for literature and strengthen community bonds, all within the lively and dynamic setting of Place Vendome. We look forward to everyone joining us on this valuable occasion, where everyone can learn about and join the programs offered by Qatar Reads.". Qatar Reads encourages the community to adopt an approach o f sustainability and innovation in their lives through this initiative, which invites them to trade books and make reading a daily habit. It also encourages everyone to participate in the event by donating and exchanging books, which contributes to making a positive impact on society. The reading space will also present an opportunity to explore a variety of initiatives run by Qatar Reads, including the Family Reading Program, which aims to strengthen community bonds by bringing families together for reading and learning. The event will also feature artworks by Qatari graphic designer and artist Zainab Al-Shaibani. Source: Qatar News Agency