Damascus, Feb. 8 (SANA) An interactive “Cultural Bus” operated by Syria’s Ministry of Culture is drawing attention at the Children’s Pavilion of the Damascus International Book Fair, offering visitors a mix of traditional books and digital experiences aimed at expanding access to knowledge for children and adults alike.
The project, which consists of two fully equipped buses — one for children and another for adults — combines printed literature with interactive technologies, including virtual reality and digital learning tools.
Project director Mohammad Murad said the Cultural Bus began touring before the opening of the fair, visiting 39 areas across the Damascus countryside and several provinces, including Deir Ezzor, Lattakia, Tartous, Baniyas and Quneitra, as part of broader cultural outreach activities.
At the Damascus Book Fair, the bus has been adapted into a learning space for children, featuring a curated selection of cultural and literary works, children’s stories and novels chosen by specialists based on age groups and educational needs, Murad said.
The children’s bus is open to visitors aged five to 15, while the second bus serves those aged 16 and older. Both operate daily during fair hours, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Murad described attendance as strong, with tens of thousands of visitors in the opening days and high engagement from children and families, calling the initiative the first of its kind in Syria and part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to promote cultural inclusion.
Abdullah Dha’adhi, one of the contributors to the Children’s Pavilion, said the activities include virtual reality experiences, digital book platforms and interactive simulations designed to develop children’s cognitive skills and encourage active learning.
The aim, he said, is to shift children’s use of smart devices from passive consumption to positive interaction through educational games, competitions and hands-on activities that combine learning with entertainment.
Organizers say the Cultural Bus offers a model that integrates reading, technology and interaction, highlighting the role of culture in supporting learning and awareness from an early age.
N.J
