DOHA: Qatar national Library (QNL) in collaboration with Occidental Petroleum of Qatar (Oxy Qatar) will launch The Blue Jackal children’s book on June 23, 5pm at the Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Centre.
QNL is inviting youngsters aged four to 11 to the launch of the book which features tales inspired by cultural heritage in the Muslim world.
The event will include a story reading by the author Frances Gillespie and will feature other children’s activities. The story of the Blue Jackal and 17 other fables have been brought to life by the author who has lived in Qatar for almost 30 years.
Gillespie has worked in Qatar as a teacher, environmental consultant and freelance journalist. She began contributing to publications about Qatar in 2000 and turned to writing her own books eight years ago.
Dr Claudia Lux, Project Director of QNL said: “At QNL, we are proud to partner with Oxy Qatar in organising this event as it will highlight the most important objectives of the library, which are to encourage reading and preserve Qatar’s heritage for the future generations.
“One of the key functions of QNL being a national library is to collect and provide access to global knowledge that is relevant to Qatar and the region. It also collects, preserves, and provides access to heritage content and materials about Qatar and the region,” she added.
“I was inspired to make this collection of fables by the animals depicted in the superb works of art in the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. I have also included some of their photographs in the book. Canadian artist Charlene Kasdorf also drew on this ancient Islamic artwork as inspiration for her marvellous and exciting illustrations in each of the tales,” said Gillespie.
Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager of Oxy Qatar, commented: “We are very pleased to once again work with the talented author Frances Gillespie, this time on a collection of traditional fables. These time-honoured tales, featuring animals that can speak, impart valuable lessons for children and adults alike.”
Free copies of the book will be distributed to the participating audience at the launch.
The Peninsula
