Al-Watani Launches Reading Club in Collaboration with Dots Bookstores

In a new cultural initiative aimed at spreading knowledge, encouraging intellectual dialogue, and fostering a reading culture across all segments of society, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has launched the “Reading Club” in collaboration with Dhat Al Salsal Library. The club serves as an interactive platform that brings together authors, readers, and cultural enthusiasts through a series of open dialogue sessions featuring prominent authors and thinkers.

This initiative reflects NBK’s commitment to supporting culture and knowledge in Kuwait and contributing to enriching the intellectual landscape by providing a space for dialogue, idea exchange, and sharing experiences, thereby reinforcing the role of reading as a tool for lifelong learning, awareness-building, and creativity development.

The “Reading Club” will be held at NBK’s headquarters during October, November, and December. Each month will feature a specialist author who will discuss one of their literary or intellectual works, while attendees will share their insights and professional and intellectual experiences. The sessions will also highlight issues and topics related to the guest’s areas of interest and expertise.

The sessions are open to both NBK employees and the general public, a move aimed at expanding community participation and providing readers with the opportunity for direct interaction with authors to discuss their ideas and experiences in an interactive cultural setting. The sessions coincide with the International Book Fair, which showcases a diverse range of modern publications and classic titles, allowing participants to explore the latest books and engage in discussions about literary and intellectual works with authors and reading enthusiasts.

The club seeks to establish reading as part of daily life, promote constructive dialogue on cultural and intellectual issues, and encourage members of society to embrace diverse literary and human experiences that enrich knowledge and broaden horizons.

Commenting on the occasion, Yaqoub Al-Baqer, Assistant Vice President – Public Relations and Events Management at NBK, said: “The Reading Club serves as a cultural gathering that brings together authors and readers in rich dialogues that facilitate knowledge exchange and broaden learning horizons. It also provides a space for direct discussion of the ideas and experiences that form the core of literary and intellectual works. Through these sessions, we aim to enrich the reading experience and transform it into a dynamic dialogue that enhances interaction between authors and the public, delivering intellectual value that extends beyond the pages of books.”

Al-Baqer added: “The club aims to encourage reading and highlight its role in developing personal and professional skills, while providing our employees and the public with the opportunity to interact directly with a select group of authors and writers and benefit from their inspiring experiences and insights. We look forward to hosting a distinguished group of authors in the coming months and offering sessions that discuss diverse topics, enriching the cultural landscape and catering to the interests of readers from all backgrounds.”