Creativity is such a thing that replaces the lost light as it begins to fade. The exceptional power that always moves towards the void to fill it with the innovative idea. The song that tells us that it will leave us if we lose interaction with it with the feeling it deserves.
An innovative idea enacted by the Ministry of Culture in Qatar during Ramadan last year, and reinforced this year to confirm its cultural role in diverting people’s attention to useful fun. The Ministry initiated the (Ramadan Book Fair) project, which was held last year in Souq Waqif, it was accompanied by cultural activities in the presence of important literary figures.
But this year’s exhibition was different in every way, exhilarating every moment. It began in the second week of Ramadan for a week, and due to the high turnout of those interested, families and children, it was decided to extend it for several more days. The place where the exhibition was held is Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal region.
How can I tell you about the beauty of the place and the pleasure of looking at it, the distribution of the wings of the participating bookshops, in an old-fashioned style that speaks of Qatari history, the large lake that adorns the place, the flag flying over a tall mast that gives the place solemnity, the coffee and food kiosks, juices and tea, the mini theaters where seminars are held, stories and folktales (Hazawi) “Saeed’s Gift” for children, as they crowd around her and her expressive voice spreads all over the place.
The elegant Ramadan tent hosts every night a star of influential Qatari figures in educational, cultural, social, historical and economic fields.
Daily attendance of the Minister of Culture – His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Thani, to the exhibition and his tours accompanied by state figure visitors.
Dialogue with His Excellency Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Energy, on the beginnings and development of the natural gas industries and the challenges of the first launches.
The enriching cultural and educational session with His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Subaie, former Minister of Education, when he recalls the beginnings of education in Qatar, in the presence of a number of cultural elites.
The interesting talk of Youssef Obaidan Al-Mutti’, a man who fought vigorously in life in the fields of diplomacy, education, culture, law and human rights, and proved his presence locally and in the Gulf, and one of the most prominent participants in the development of institutions in the country.
His Excellency Mr. Youssef Hussain Kamal Al-Emadi, Minister of Finance and former Minister of Economy and Trade, while explaining to the audience the country’s plans to overcome the largest global economic crises, the method of banks in financial dealings, and the poet Muhammad Yassin Al-Saleh’s attempt to seize 200 Qatari Riyals during the explanation process!!
The presence of His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Head of the Amiri Diwan, and his tour around the exhibition, and the tour of Her Excellency Mrs. Maryam bint Ali Al Misnad, Minister of Social Development and Family, then the symposium of Her Excellency Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Thani, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the Arab League for Humanitarian Relief, and a unique experience In tracking the camps of displacement and asylum that filled the Arab land, then a literary evening with the two poets Shabib bin Arar Al-Nuaimi and Mubarak Al Khalifa, while explaining the literary plan that they are preparing for in the coming period regarding poetry specifically .. with the interventions of the audience and their comments.
Then the guest of the closing night was His Excellency Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasr, President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 66th session and the former High Representative of the United Nations for the Alliance of Civilizations, and the new information he provided from behind the scenes of diplomatic dealings in international forums and the view of some leaders of decision-making countries towards the Arab countries. The Excellency of the owners of Arab and local publishing houses participating in the exhibition, as they feel the high turnout and the distinguished success of the exhibition. The wonderful spring weather and the gentle cold that made the nights sweeter and more splendid, then the publications of some friends who were keen to announce their literary productions in this exhibition.
In the halls of the exhibition, we felt the successive joys of people and intellectuals. We saw it in Maryam Al-Sulaiti’s celebration of the publications of Dar Yildiz, including the book of the emerging writer Fatima Bint Ali Al-Hajri, and we felt it with the daily commitment of Muhammad Khalaf Al-Thunayan in the Tarous Bookshop, and the presence of Dr. Aisha Al-Kuwari at Dar Rosa, as she receives the guests of the house, and the keenness of His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, His Excellency Saad Al-Rumaihi, and Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Malik, Saleh Gharib, and a number of intellectuals to attend and interact, Jassim Salman’s signature for his novel The Journey of Ibn Battuta, and Muhammad Yassin Al-Saleh’s signature for poetry book (The Village We Were In). All this with the follow-up and presence of the Ministry’s pillars such as: Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al-Ali, Maryam Al-Hammadi, Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Muhammad Hassan Al-Kuwari.
This is how creativity is, that ocean that we walk on its shore, and it erases our footprints; Instead, he leaves new shells for us, with each shell having its own wave and story. That strange being that speaks to each of us in his own language and feeling that loves to come from a place that we do not know, but we find ourselves in it in one way or another.
Thank you, Ministry of Culture. Thank you, His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture.