Fusty, musty, gloomy, groaning with books on dusty old shelves is sometimes the mental image one gets of a library. But that won't be true when you step into the Qatar National Library. Larger than one hundred and seventy tennis courts, it's not only home to tens of thousands of books, but also a wealth of modern-day resources. After speaking with sneaker artist Daniel Arsham in Doha as you heard earlier on the show, Showcase's Aadel Haleem took a stroll through this village of books.

#Qatar #NationalLibrary #Showcase

In this episode of Showcase;

Jim Thompson's Thailand Legacy 01:03

Ruth Ware in Istanbul 06:36

Ruth Ware, Author 07:12

Metaphysical Graffiti 13:35

Seth Kaufman, New York-based author 14:37

Resetting the Memories 19:21

Ivan Black 22:39

#JimThompson #RuthWare #Showcase

Jim Thompson's life reads like a character from a James Bond film. A secret agent for the US government during world war two. A global jet setter who graduated with a degree in architecture from Princeton. And a wildly successful businessman that made Thai silk famous worldwide. He mysteriously disappeared in 1967 leaving behind his silk empire as well as a home that has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bangkok an ode to Thompson's love affair with Asian art and culture.

#JimThompson #Asia #Showcase

You wake up one day, to receive a letter, that is bequeathing a substantial inheritance to you when you barely can make ends meet. But then, you realise a little fault in this dreamlike story, the letter was sent to the wrong person. This is what happens to Hal, the main character of, The Death of Mrs Westaway, the highly anticipated fourth novel of the bestselling British author Ruth Ware. Ware knows very well how to keep her readers at the edge of their seats. It is the last day of the Istanbul International Literature Festival and the author herself is here in Istanbul.

Ruth Ware, Author 0:40

#RuthWare #Literature #Showcase

What is the coolest song you've never heard? What do you call a drummer in a three-piece suit? And, is there a connection between rock 'n' roll and the meaning of life? Author Seth Kaufman tries to answer some of those mind-bending questions in his book 'Metaphysical Graffiti'.

Seth Kaufman, New York-based author 0:37

#MetaphysicalGraffiti #SethKaufman #Showcase

In this episode of Showcase;

Eternal Angst of Edvard Munch 0:56

The Bulgarian Sadness of Georgi Gospodinov 05:38

Georgi Gospodinov, Author of The Physics of Sorrow and Naturel Novel 06:18

Shortcuts 13:17

Printed'19: Multiple Choice 15:30

Marcus Graf, Professor at Yeditepe University, Curator and Art Writer 19:00

#EdvardMunch #GeorgiGospodinov #Showcase

Which would you rather own an original, one of a kind piece or a limited edition copy? Prints and multiples have their rightful place in today's art world, and yet their value is often overlooked. The curator of a new exhibition in Istanbul is trying to change all that. Take a look at this story by Showcase's Sena Arslan, about how that exhibition is trying to change the word 'copy' from being just another four letter word.

Marcus Graf, Professor at Yeditepe University, Curator and Art Writer 03:32

#Printed19 #Exhibition #Showcase

The theme 'Breakwater' is the idea that literature can create a safe zone for writers and readers to explore the social and political issues of our time. Whether that means staying near safe shores or exploring oceans of translated fiction. Attending the Istanbul International Literature Festival is Bulgarian author and playwright Georgi Gospodinov. In his most recent, award-winning novel, 'The Physics of Sorrow', the main character is a Minotaur, a creature portrayed in Greek mythology as part man and part bull. The Minotaur has the blessing and the curse, of being able to enter the stories of others by empathising with them.

Georgi Gospodinov, Author of The Physics of Sorrow and Naturel Novel 0:42

#GeorgiGospodinov #Literature #Showcase

Edvard Munch didn't want to paint 'pretty pictures to be hung on walls.' Instead, his motivation was to engage and provoke the onlooker which he did with one of the world's most famous paintings, The Scream. This haunting image of a figure encompassed by grief, mouth agape and hands covering his ears, has found its way onto everything from coffee mugs to t-shirts and even inspired movies from directors like Tim Burton. But now, as the British Museum is making clear this spring, there is much much more to Munch. Showcase's Miranda Atty went to see 'Love and Angst', a series of deeply emotive works.

#EdvardMunch #LoveandAngst #Showcase

In this episode of Showcase;

Sevan Bıçakçı: A Star Jeweler 01:00

Pieter Bruegel, 450th anniversary of his death 07:49

Shortcuts: 11:40

Jean-Christophe Grangé 13:13

11th Istanbul International Literature Festival 19:32

Nermin Mollaoglu, Co-founder, Istanbul International Literature Festival 20:07

#Grangé #Literature #Showcase