Katara Arabic Novel Festival Showcases Seminars and New Books

The 11th Katara Festival for Arabic Novel continued on Friday and will run until October 19. The festival includes seminars, discussion panels, and book launches, offering a platform for authors, translators, and readers to explore Arabic literature.

One seminar, titled “The Novel and the Aesthetics of Translation,” discussed how storytelling connects with language and culture, and how translation serves as a bridge between different languages. Speakers included novelist Mohamed Suleiman Al Shazly, and translators Sameh Kroum and Kholoud Amr, with Dr. Hanaa Al Bawab moderating the session.

Another session featured writer Abdel Aziz Al Sayed, who discussed his novel “The Carnation Seller”, moderated by journalist Mohamed Dahou.

The festival also hosted a seminar called “The Novel: From Text to Reader: Marketing Mechanisms and the Horizon of Dissemination.” Speakers included novelist Jalal Barjas, marketing specialist Aya Al Zein, and digital marketing expert Jibril Kahlout. The discussion focused on how writers connect with audiences through social media, the role of literary awards in promoting books, and digital marketing strategies for literature.

Another important seminar explored “The Novel and Television Drama in the Gulf: From Written Narration to Spoken Image.” Speakers included Dr. Marzouq Bashir, Mirza Al-Khuwailidi, Rashid Malhas, and Mohammed Al Nashmi, with Dr. Fahd Al Hindal as moderator. The seminar examined how novels are adapted for TV and how storytelling transitions from text to screen.

Alongside the seminars, the Katara Book Fair showcased the latest publications from participating publishers. Katara Publishing House launched “Financial Oversight During Crises” by Dr. Salwa Hamed Al Mulla, which explores the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dar Rosa released several new titles, including “Coffee with a Little Fascism” by Sheikh Nawaf bin Mubarak Al-Thani, a book on digital photography by Abdullah Al Jassim, and “Fresh Thoughts” by Jassim Abdulrahman Al Khouri.

The festival continues to be a key event for Arabic literature, providing a space for creativity, learning, and cultural exchange. It allows readers to engage with authors, discover new books, and explore how Arabic novels connect with modern audiences.