Legendary actor Sharmila Tagore (right) in conversation with Sanjoy K Roy, the producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, during JLF Doha held at the Qatar National Library.
The country’s first international literature festival JLF Doha came to a close on Saturday with vibrant sessions on poetry, discussions and performances by renowned authors and artists.
There were plenty of interesting takeaways from JLF (Jaipur Literature Festival) Doha, held at the Qatar National Library. Over an illuminating three days, Qatar’s literary community, and literature enthusiasts heard some fascinating writers, passionate artists talk about their work.
“Qatar has been doing wonderful things by having football and bringing wonderful artwork here. The world is talking about Doha. They are aware of the interest that leaders of Qatar have in exposing Doha to different experiences,” Indian legendary actor Sharmila Tagore told The Peninsula.
“I can only see JLF go from strength to strength. JLF started in Jaipur and they have done wonderful things, and they have branched out to different places. Whatever they do they do very effortlessly. They involve the locals and they do it extremely well. And If the kind of interest the Qatar National Library and Qatar Foundation has shown with JLF remains, definitely things are going to get better and better,” she added.
The legendary actor, who has left an incredible mark in Indian cinema, hails from the illustrious Tagore clan. She is a committed patron of arts and known for her reading. In conversation with Sanjoy K Roy, the producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival in India, Sharmila spoke of cinema, literature and about her life’s journey on the second day of the festival.
In keeping with the theme of JLF Doha, ‘Each Other’s Stories,’ many of the author sessions touched on themes of personal significance. In ‘Asma’s Indian Kitchen,’ celebrity chef Asma Khan revealed the secrets of her success, telling her immigrant’s story and how food brought her home. Buket Uzuner, in conversation with academic Firat Oruc, explored the changing face of Istanbul, the city she calls home.
Though being held for the first time JLF attracted hundreds of literature enthusiasts.
“We were instantly interested in holding JLF here because we had already heard wonderful things about Doha and the Qatar National Library. For us a place with knowledge and information always very enthusiastic working with libraries,” said Sanjoy K Roy.
“The geopolitical reasons also influenced because Qatar has been isolated by recent times by its neighbours. We felt it is very essential to show that we stand by with a country like Qatar, with whom India has shared age-old relationship,” he added.
Roy said that JLF Doha has given an opportunity to learn more about the region’s literature and art.
“It is also an opportunity for us to hear the voices from here, how can we then start working creating a program that will bring more and more people who can be inspired to write and tell their stories in future,” said Roy.
Qatar’s writers and academics came out in full force to join the conversation and give it local relevance, including H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of State; Dr Amal Mohammed Al Malki, Founding Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University; and Kaltam Jabor M Al Kuwari, award-winning Qatari writer, poet and Professor of Creative Writing at Northwestern University in Qatar.
“Having JLF in Doha for the first time is quite fascinating. It gave the platform listen to the stories of inspiring writers and artists. It was an opportunity for the Qatari writers to get inspired. We hope that more local writers and artists will present their work in the future,” said Abeer Al Kuwari, Director, Research and Learning Services at Qatar National Library.
Hosted by the Library in partnership with Teamwork Arts, JLF Doha was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator, and formed part of the Library’s celebration of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture.
