'Print has a lasting value that digital files cannot replicate'

In collaboration with Al-Salam Community School and the Pen and Paper Initiative, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library hosted a distinguished cultural debate titled “Books Through the Eyes of Generations.”

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The event brought together prominent writers and advocates of traditional print books with high school students representing the digital reading generation, creating a vibrant intellectual dialogue on the present and future of reading.

The debate featured active participation from both speakers and audience members, with students raising insightful questions about the digital era, such as: What makes digital books more appealing? and Does instant access to countless online libraries enrich knowledge or scatter focus?

Writers from the Pen and Paper Initiative emphasised the enduring value of print, affirming that “paper is not merely a medium, but a living memory carrying emotional significance that digital files cannot replicate.” They also voiced concern that younger generations risk losing part of their cultural identity as they shift away from physical libraries and the sensory experience of books.