Doha: During the 35th edition of the Doha International Book Fair, the Ministry of Culture unveiled 12 new language editions of the “This Is Qatar” encyclopedia, expanding the publication’s global reach as part of the country’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts.
Previously available in English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Italian, the encyclopedia has now been translated into Urdu, Hindi, German, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Filipino, and Korean. The initiative was carried out in cooperation with several embassies in Qatar.
The Ministry had earlier announced “This Is Qatar” as the guest of honor of this year’s edition of the book fair, which opened on May 14.
Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture, Nasser Al Maliki, described the encyclopedia as a comprehensive cultural project that introduces Qatar’s history, identity, and developmental achievements to international audiences.
He said the publication serves as a soft power instrument that strengthens Qatar’s cultural presence globally through a modern, knowledge-based narrative tailored to readers in their native languages.
Al Maliki stressed that the Ministry seeks, through the encyclopedia, to promote cultural dialogue and openness while presenting Qatar as a nation where authenticity and modernity coexist. He noted that the project reflects the Ministry’s belief in culture as a bridge connecting nations and peoples.
He added that expanding the encyclopedia into multiple languages aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to making Qatari cultural content accessible to diverse communities around the world, reinforcing the country’s role on the international cultural stage.
According to Al Maliki, “This Is Qatar” combines national identity with an international outlook by preserving Qatar’s cultural memory while introducing foreign audiences to the country through multilingual editions.
The Department of International Cooperation is also working to integrate the encyclopedia into Qatar’s cultural diplomacy strategy through partnerships with embassies, universities, research centers, libraries, and international cultural institutions. The initiative aims to increase the encyclopedia’s presence at exhibitions, academic forums, and global cultural events.
Al Maliki noted that the publication will be distributed through Qatari embassies, cultural attaches, and cultural centers abroad to expand its international reach and strengthen Qatar’s cultural image worldwide.
He emphasized that “This Is Qatar” represents a long-term cultural investment in soft power, highlighting that a country’s global image today is shaped not only by politics and economics, but also by its ability to communicate its identity, values, and culture in a meaningful and relatable way.
The encyclopedia, he said, helps present a balanced and authentic understanding of Qatar beyond stereotypes, while fostering intercultural dialogue through communication in people’s native languages.
Al Maliki added that “This Is Qatar” is expected to feature prominently at international book fairs, academic programs, intellectual forums, and university libraries as a contemporary cultural reference on Qatar.
He concluded by saying that the encyclopedia reflects the Ministry’s vision of “Heritage, Influence, and Legacy” by investing in Qatari heritage to create a cultural and intellectual impact that resonates globally.
