Doha: It was, indeed, a historical night for Qatar as the Guinness World Record for Most Languages Used in a Reading Relay was achieved by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
Literature, language, and the diverse community of Qatar took center stage on the night of the record attempt as the Museum transformed into the immersive world of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's 'The Little Prince'.
Ahead of the reading relay, Olivier d'Agay, the great nephew of the book's author and Secretary General of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation graced the evening through a short video.
Other notable dignitaries also present last night were French Ambassador to Qatar HE Jean-Baptiste Faivre; Director of MIA, Dr Julia Gonnella; MIA Deputy Director of MIA Learning and Outreach, Salem Abdulla Al Aswad; and Guinness World Record Adjudicator, Pravin Patel. Independent members of the community also attended to give unbiased help.
At around 7pm on Wednesday, the official attempt for the record kicked-off. All dressed in their traditional costumes, over 150 participants of various nationalities told the story of 'The Little Prince' in 55 different languages.
Over the course of the attempt, supporters tuned in to the live event broadcasted on the official Facebook page of MIA. Comments of praise, cheer, and support for the speakers of their respective nations poured as the reading relay flowed smoothly.
The Guinness World Record attempt lasted for over two hours before the results were announced on the same night.
Speaking to The Peninsula, the Head of the Museum of Islamic Art Library, Susan Parker-Leavy, described the wait as a "very tense 15 minutes" as World Record Adjudicator, Pravin Patel, deliberated with the judges and witnesses.
Crucial rules were set and discussed to achieve the Record. Some of these include audibility, pauses of no longer than 10 seconds between participants, right delivery of lines, and no repetition of languages- in which, for this attempt are "any system of human communication, verbal or non-verbal recognised under ISO 639."
All the readers with MIA Deputy Director of MIA Learning and Outreach, Salem Abdulla Al Aswad; and Head of the Museum of Islamic Art Library, Susan Parker-Leavy receiving the Guinness World Record
Finally, Patel once again stood at the podium to deliver the results. The venue was then filled with applause and cheers as Museum of Islamic Art was officially announced the winner of the Guinness World Record for Most Languages Used in a Reading Relay.
Excitement and pride for Qatar and its community filled the venue as the certificate was handed to the participants and the whole team of the Museum.
A group photo of participants, judges, and staff after the awarding.
In a short speech, MIA Deputy Director, Learning and Outreach, Salem Al Aswad, paid tribute to all participants and said: "All of these people who participated, you are the one who made this.. all of you. " He raised the certificate and gestured to participants as the crowd broke into cheers.
"The performance by the readers was perfect! Everyone read their part with clarity and accuracy," Susan Parker-Leavy described the successful attempt.
"The whole thing created a beautiful view of each language and nationality," she told The Peninsula.
The night grew late but the Museum of Islamic Art was illuminated with the "Record Holder" logo projected on its building, an unmissable transformation from what used to be a Guinness "Official Attempt" initially displayed just hours before.
Citizens and residents will also get the chance to witness the Museum beam at night with the Guinness World Record Holder logo until Saturday.
