Big crowds
Maysan book club fosters literary engagement among local youth
MAYSAN — In Amara, a group of intellectuals and bookshop owners has recently founded a book club that hosts weekly sessions every Saturday, aimed at discussing major literary works that resonate with young people. The initiative, launched two weeks ago, encourages productive use of time through reading, with sessions open to all genders, discussing books that cover a broad range of topics.
Haider Taha, a co-founder of the book club, described the initiative to 964media: “The idea is new and unique in supporting and encouraging young people to read and exchange ideas.” He noted that the most recent session, which focused on a scientific book, sparked intense discussions. “Although sometimes we diverged from the topic, the enrichment of the conversation was evident, leading to important conclusions that enhance the live experience for the youth and guide us all in the right direction,” Taha added.
Taha observed that the youth participating in the first two sessions displayed a deep engagement with significant literary and philosophical works, demonstrating daily reading habits.
Kamal Al-Din al-Zubaidi, another founder, highlighted a persistent challenge in Maysan: “There are a considerable number of intellectuals, most of whom try to present their ideas, but the lack of a venue has been one of the toughest obstacles for us.” He emphasized that the sessions offer a platform to discuss proposed books and prevailing societal ideas, enhancing awareness among the youth about important literary works.
Participant Zahra Mohammed expressed her enthusiasm about the discussions: “I did not expect such a large attendance, nor did I think the discussions would be this enjoyable. The exchanged ideas are respected and interesting as they are fresh in the field of reading.”
“These sessions provided me with more important titles than I was looking for in bookstores, such as novels and short stories. These books can add more to me and enrich my vocabulary in writing and speaking. We exchange experiences to identify the most important books and authors,” Mohammed added.
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