Kalimat Foundation donates Arabic library to children in Poland at WIBF 2026

Warsaw: Kalimat Foundation has gifted a portable Arabic library to support children from Arab communities in Poland, reinforcing the importance of access to books in their mother tongue to strengthen reading, language development and cultural identity.

The library was presented to Marhaba Bolanda, a Wroclaw-based organisation focused on education and cultural programmes for Arab and Polish communities. The initiative was announced during a ceremony at the National Library in Warsaw, held on the sidelines of the 2026 Warsaw International Book Fair (WIBF), in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation.

Six children aged between 7 and 15, along with their families, attended the event. They were introduced to the Foundation’s ‘Pledge a Library’ initiative and participated in an interactive workshop where they painted and personalised mini portable libraries inspired by the donated collection.

The workshop encouraged children to engage with books not only as reading material, but as meaningful companions associated with personal memories.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasised the role of reading in preserving cultural identity for children living abroad. “For Arab children growing up far from home, a book in Arabic is more than a story — it is a bridge to their heritage, their identity and their roots,” she said.

She added that the initiative aims to ensure that distance does not limit children’s connection to their language and culture. “Reading shapes the way children think, imagine and understand the world around them, and it is our responsibility to place the right books in their hands, wherever they may be,” she said.

Sufian Kayyali, Chairman of the Board at Marhaba Bolanda, said the donation would have a significant impact on the community. He noted that access to Arabic books helps children feel connected to their heritage and valued within their cultural identity.

Following the ceremony, the library was transferred to the Hello Poland Center, where it will serve the community on an ongoing basis.

The donation forms part of Kalimat Foundation’s ‘Pledge a Library’ initiative, which aims to provide Arabic children’s books to communities with limited access to such resources. The Foundation’s participation in WIBF 2026 comes under Sharjah’s Guest of Honour programme.

Through the initiative, Kalimat Foundation works to ensure that children worldwide can read and learn in their own language, supporting their educational and cultural development regardless of geographical location.