Cultural events constitute creative depth of MIBF
Published: 05:03 PM,Mar 04,2023 | EDITED : 09:03 PM,Mar 04,2023
MUSCAT: Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information and Chairman of the Main Committee of Muscat International Book Fair, said that the cultural activities constitute the creative depth of the book fair without which it would be a mere market for selling books and signing deals with publishers.
In comments to ONA on the closing day of the 27th Muscat International Book Fair, the minister said: “Since the exhibition seeks to spread books, support the publisher and promote the values of reading among society members, it becomes crucial to enhance the accompanying cultural events which constitute an additional attraction point for the audience seeking to achieve more than one goal by visiting the book fair. They can buy books and attend cultural events of their choice as well as meet writers and authors.”
He added: “Most of this year’s events witnessed remarkable turnout as was evident in all the halls where the cultural events were held. The simultaneous holding of cultural events did not prevent the visitors from attending their favourite events due to the variety of topics. We were so delighted to host the cultural week of the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain as part of the activities of Muscat International Book Fair. The week represented a qualitative addition to the book fair due to varied events that acquainted the public with many aspects of the Bahraini culture and heritage. The experience of the countries’ cultural weeks is the first of its kind and will undergo study and evaluation by the committee to become part of the future editions of Muscat International Book Fair.”
'We applied smart counting technology of the visitors of Muscat International Book Fair by using special cameras to enumerate visitors in order to get an accurate number of visitors. Smart cameras were installed on the gates and special cameras were allocated for school and university students at the bus stops and outer spaces.'
The smart cameras have an ability to distinguish the entering and exiting visitors without counting the same visitor more than once, the minister said. — ONA
In comments to ONA on the closing day of the 27th Muscat International Book Fair, the minister said: “Since the exhibition seeks to spread books, support the publisher and promote the values of reading among society members, it becomes crucial to enhance the accompanying cultural events which constitute an additional attraction point for the audience seeking to achieve more than one goal by visiting the book fair. They can buy books and attend cultural events of their choice as well as meet writers and authors.”
He added: “Most of this year’s events witnessed remarkable turnout as was evident in all the halls where the cultural events were held. The simultaneous holding of cultural events did not prevent the visitors from attending their favourite events due to the variety of topics. We were so delighted to host the cultural week of the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain as part of the activities of Muscat International Book Fair. The week represented a qualitative addition to the book fair due to varied events that acquainted the public with many aspects of the Bahraini culture and heritage. The experience of the countries’ cultural weeks is the first of its kind and will undergo study and evaluation by the committee to become part of the future editions of Muscat International Book Fair.”
'We applied smart counting technology of the visitors of Muscat International Book Fair by using special cameras to enumerate visitors in order to get an accurate number of visitors. Smart cameras were installed on the gates and special cameras were allocated for school and university students at the bus stops and outer spaces.'
The smart cameras have an ability to distinguish the entering and exiting visitors without counting the same visitor more than once, the minister said. — ONA