Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
The ongoing Doha International Book Fair which will conclude today has witnessed high demand from visitors specially from families. What distinguishes the exhibition this year is the huge crowed in children’s pavilions, where 68 publishing houses for children are displaying there books.
The children book stalls are attracting more visitors, despite the fact that the fair has coincided with schools’ exams and the preparation for celebrations of the National Day, students and parents were seen interested in children books.
About 427 publishing houses representing 30 countries are participating in the exhibition. “Till now most of the sales is in children’s books and literary books in general. Also demand is high from women compared to men,” said an exhibitor.
Another one noted that: “Most of the sale is in evening and the quantum of sale is satisfactory. There are factors that are encouraging people to visit the book fair like nice weather and month-end period as most of the people have receive their salaries.”
“There is a clear focus this year on children’s books, which has a unique pavilion. ِAll the books are available whether educational or cultural books. We should not miss the chance of visiting the exhibition,” said Muna, a visitor.
She said “The exhibition is rare chance because it offers books which are not usually available in market. We came first to see the books that we want and now we are coming to buy it because in the first days prices usually high.”
“As the Ministry of Culture and Sports said that the book fair is not just an event for selling books, it is also a place for exchanging ideas between intellectuals, readers and others. Visitors can come and attend a number of cultural events which are organised on the sideslines of the exhibition,” said Abu Yousef, a visitor.
“Visitors can also benefit from the cultural events and workshops which are held daily,” he added.
Around 272 cultural, artistic and entertainment activities are being held on the side line of the fair, including 25 cultural and intellectual seminars, 28 workshops in various fields, as well as poetry evenings for selected Qatari and Arab poets.
