Library Symposium Workshops

Workshop: Bibliotherapy: Book Therapy
3.00 - 4.00 pm

Workshop leader: Renad Qubbaj, General Director, Tamer Institute for Community Education in Palestine

Can stories aid in healing from trauma and what distinguishes these stories? How can we select stories that improve wellbeing? What are the conditions for success within the library and what role is expected from the librarian? These are just some of the questions we will tacking during this workshops titled "Bibliotherapy". Participants will then select a story of their choosing and build a theraputic activity around it.

This workshop is suitable for librarians, teachers, parents and others who would benefit from it.

This workshop is in Arabic

Workshop: Exploring Resistance Literature through Ghassan Kanafani
4.30 - 5.30 pm

Workshop leader: Dr. Hanan Hindi, Academic Advisor, Northwestern Qatar

This interactive workshop invites participants to engage with Ghassan Kanafani’s resistance literature, focusing on themes of memory, loss, and identity in the Palestinian context. Through close readings and group discussions, participants will explore how Kanafani's work captures the Palestinian struggle and universal experiences of resistance and resilience. This workshop will help participants express contemporary struggles through literary forms, building a bridge between Kanafani's work and today’s lived realities.

Structure:

1. Introductions – Participants will introduce themselves, sharing any familiarity with resistance literature and personal goals for the workshop.
2. Readings – We will read and analyze selected passages from Kanafani’s work, examining his use of language, narrative structure, and thematic exploration of Palestinian identity, exile, and collective memory.
3. Discussion – Guided by prompts, participants will discuss how Kanafani’s themes resonate today and consider parallels between his work and current events, including the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
4. Writing Exercise – Drawing inspiration from Kanafani and connecting with recent news, participants will create a short piece reflecting the themes of memory, resistance, and identity. They may start a new piece or build on previous work.
5. Sharing & Feedback – Participants will share their pieces with the group, receiving constructive feedback and encouragement. This session will be followed by opportunities for ongoing feedback for those who wish to continue developing their work after the workshop.

This workshop is in English

Workshop: Poetry and Behavioral Change
6 - 7 pm

Workshop leader: Mustafa Mattar, Poet, News Anchor and Program Presenter, Al Rafidin TV channel

This section includes poetic references and stories of famous poets whose lines and verses have become immortalized, influencing individual and societal behaviors. It examines the conduct of Antarah ibn Shaddad before and after gaining freedom, comparing it to the behavior of Urwah ibn Al-Ward as a model for discussion and exploration.

Poetry’s Role in Changing Reality

A look at the power of art to alter reality through stories of some creative poets who succeeded in changing their nations, leaving behind verses and statements that remain symbols of inspiration. This includes the experiences of Abu Al-Qasim Al-Shabbi from Tunisia and Ahmed Bakhit from Egypt, focusing on the poet's role in preparing audiences for change that promotes dignity, stability, and prosperity for both people and their homeland.

The Role of Poetry in Self-Transformation and Enrichment

This part offers practical examples showing that poetry plays a fundamental role in enriching customs and traditions. It discusses how poetry contributes to building a successful personality, inspiring ambition, and helping individuals discover their talents, express themselves, and take pride in their roots. An interactive session with attendees will invite them to recall and share verses that stimulate the spirit, pride, and noble human connections.

Poetry as an Introduction to Positive Change

Poetry can serve as a "wake-up call" that encourages us to take actions that improve ourselves. By analyzing the content of selected verses, we can understand how both traditional and modern poetry contain practical mechanisms that demonstrate how art can be a key factor in improving our lives.

Engaging, Motivational Games

Game 1: Poets in Memory

This activity fosters creativity and critical thinking by engaging participants in a discussion. Each participant writes a poet's name on a card and explains the reason for their choice. The poets can be categorized for further discussion:

• Poets who changed
• Poets who pondered
• Poets who triumphed
• Poets who lost

Game 2: A Poet Who Comes to Mind Now?

• Reason for remembering this poet
• Emotional motivation
• Takeaways from reading their work
• A lively, practical discussion will follow, exploring how each response relates to the workshop’s theme.

The workshop will also spotlight the positive role of poetry in:

• Morality
• Human relationships
• Pride in cultural roots

This workshop will be in Arabic.

This workshop will take place on Thursday, 28 November at 3 - 4 pm.

Workshop: ‘Stories from Gaza’ - What is your story?

Workshop leader: Lama El-Moatassem, Fashion Designer

This workshop is designed to create an artistic dialogue encouraging participants to engage with the upcoming Stories from Gaza exhibition at Liwan. The exhibition will feature works by Palestinian Children from Gaza currently residing in Qatar and their memories of their homeland. Activities will include a multitude of textile applications including printing and stamping to customize a tote bag with symbols and artworks inspired by the exhibition. The aim is to educate, engage and continue the dialogue.

The workshop will be held at the Liwan Fabrication lab with Lama El-Moatassem, a fashion and textile designer with over 15 years in the fashion industry running her own womenswear line and previously at fashion houses in Paris and London.

Key outcomes from the workshop include:

• Visit the exhibition Stories from Gaza at Liwan. Engage in conversation about the stories being told and share your own experiences and insights.
• Learn about Palestinian culture and significant symbols and icons in telling the story.
• Discuss Textile customization techniques, design and composition.
• Work in the Fabrication lab and learn about different textile customization techniques, design and composition.
• Get creative and share your story!

A tote bag for printing will be provided for this activity, should you wish to give new life to one of your own garments please feel free to bring it along!

This is a children's workshop suitable for 8 years old and above. Capacity for this workshop is up to 8 children.