Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL) is hosting vibrant cultural activities in December in preparation to celebrate Qatar National Day through a host of cultural and art performances and family-oriented educational and entertaining programs.
Qatar National Day celebrations will top the agenda with a series of events commemorating Qatar's heritage and rich history.
On December 1, the Library explores Qatar's history with a lecture on Beit Qatraei, part of the area that today represents the State of Qatar.
Dr. Mario Qazah will provide insights into the geographical limits of Beit Qatraei, and the origin of the word "Qatraei", as well as the region's commercial and social activities.
The next day, the focus turns to young people with the launch of the Library's Winter Camp, which will feature a range of entertaining and educational events.
With exciting weekly storytelling and STEM-related sessions, the QNL Winter Camp will engage children and young adults in creative and hands-on activities.
On the same day, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore the history and evolution of photography in Qatar with two photographers who have been capturing Qatari culture since the 1980s.
French photographer Vincent Aitzegagh, whose work forms a major part of QNL's collection on Qatar's traditional architecture, and Khalifa Al Obaidly, one of Qatar's leading fine art photographers, will share their professional experiences in an open conversation titled "Photographers' Stories: Documenting Qatar's Heritage."
The Science Book Forum series returns on December 3, with the latest episode introducing students to the art of creating inspiring science fiction characters. Dr. Naif Al Mutawa, a Kuwaiti clinical psychologist and entrepreneur who has created his own comic book series with superheroes inspired by Islamic values, will discuss how Hollywood has created characters based on a scientific approach.
Dr. Al Mutawa, whose series has received international recognition - including praise from former U.S. President Barack Obama - will compare characters from history and fiction and examine how their stories follow similar arcs.
On December 4, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a unique workshop on the production of purple dye, the maroon color for which Qatar and its flag are known.
Faisal Abdulla Al Naimi, Director of the Department of Archaeology at Qatar Museums, will explain how the purple dye was extracted from shells by ancient humans in Qatar and how it is applied directly to fabric.
Later the same day, the Library will host the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra for a spectacular performance featuring a mix of rhythms, styles and well-known tunes from both Qatar and Morocco.
Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers are invited to "Adventures in Photographing the Birds of Qatar" on 12 December, when photographer Mohammed Al Baker will review the country's most prominent bird species an discuss his personal journey in the field of photography.
Then, on December 17, 2024, Qatar National Library celebrates Qatar National Day in a family-environment filled with fun, creativity and tradition.
The event, featuring QNL mascot Ramly, will introduce children and young people to Qatar's rich heritage through coloring activities that allow children to express their artistic side and karaoke sessions inspired by traditional Qatari songs.
This month, the Library will also release the latest episodes of its "QNL Engage" podcast series.
Titled "The History of the Establishment of the Sheikh Abdullah Al Ansari Complex and its Achievements," the two-part podcast will feature Faisal Al Ansari, the executive director of the complex, who will discuss the history of the Qatari Calendar House.
