Qatar National Library, Wifaq celebrate family storytelling heritage

The Qatar National Library (QNL) and the Family Consulting Center (Wifaq) joined forces to celebrate the profound impact of family storytelling on Thursday. The event, titled "A Story from a Loved One: Family Cohesion and Storytelling Heritage," aimed to highlight how sharing narratives fosters emotional bonds, shared values, and the preservation of cultural knowledge across generations.

The gathering commenced with a dynamic panel discussion featuring specialists who examined the pivotal role of storytelling in strengthening family dynamics. A central component of the session was the recently released book, "Qissa Min Ghali" (A Story from a Loved One), which serves as an exemplary guide for documenting human experiences and transmitting core familial values.

This book underscored the necessity of safeguarding family memories for future generations and the crucial role of cultural and community institutions in championing this heritage.

Panellists included Issa Abdullah, a renowned writer and novelist, who discussed how family stories transmit values and foster intergenerational belonging. Ms. Lolwa Al-Yazeedi, Director of Community Awareness at Wifaq, emphasized the human messages embedded in the book and the significance of real-life stories in promoting family dialogue. Dr. Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, explored strategies for preserving family folktales for future generations.

Lolwa Al Yazeedi of Wifaq remarked, "At Wifaq, we believe that family cohesion is built on the details of daily life. The stories passed down through generations create a vital space for dialogue, carrying values, memories, and shared experiences that foster a deep sense of belonging." The event sought to encourage families to reclaim this space by engaging young people in documenting their parents' and grandparents' stories, thereby enhancing intergenerational communication.

Maram Al Mahmoud, QNL's Manager of Programs and Services for Children and Young Adults, added, "Every family carries its own archive of stories that shape our identities and what matters to us, long before anyone writes them down. By partnering with Wifaq, we aim to remind families that their everyday narratives are integral to our national heritage, echoing the works found in library shelves."

The book launch, featuring stories penned by children and young adults aged 12 to 14, brought the vision to life. These young authors drew inspiration from oral histories and tales shared by their family members, transforming oral heritage into written works. Following the panel, families engaged in interactive educational and creative activities centered around the book's themes and illustrations.

The event also introduced a four-week program at the Library, featuring weekly Storytime sessions where the young authors of "A Story from a Loved One" read their stories to children. These sessions included discussions on the stories' events and messages, creative expression activities, and opportunities for commemorative photo shoots with the young writers. Representatives from various national institutions attended, underscoring a nationwide dedication to family cohesion, heritage preservation, and community engagement.