FROM LEFT: Metin Kazak, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Qatar; Dr. Bahia G. Tahzib-Lei, Ambassador of Netherlands; Michele Cervone d’Urso, Ambassador Head of European Union Delegation, and Olivier Deseez, Conseiller de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle at Fren
DOHA: Preservation of cultural heritage will be at the core of the celebration of Europe Day tomorrow led by the European Union (EU) member-state embassies in Qatar.
“In 1985, May 9 was declared Europe Day to symbolise EU unity and integration. EU member states around the world are organising events on this day to emphasise the importance of unity and integration among peoples and cultures,” Ambassador of Bulgaria in Qatar Metin Kazak, told a press briefing yesterday.
Bulgaria currently holds the local presidency of the European Union (EU) in Qatar. There are 17 EU member states with embassies in Qatar.
This year’s observance of Europe Day, which has been linked to the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, will highlight a panel discussion at Qatar National Library (QNL) on the topic “Where the past meets the future: Working together to preserve our cultural heritage.”
“Because this year is the European Year of Cultural Heritage and culture binds with such a convening strong power that attracts us all, we decided to focus on cultural heritage,” said Ambassador of Netherlands in Qatar, Bahia Tahzib-Lie, adding the theme is also important to Qatar as it is proud of its cultural heritage and identity.
To be moderated by Mona Hamed Hussain, director of Legal affairs at Qatar Museums, the panel will include Kees Wieringa, director of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum; Dr. Anna Paolini, director, UNESCO Representative in the Arab States of Gulf & Yemen; Stephane Ipert, Acting Director of the Heritage Library & Manager of Conservation & Preservation at QNL; Dr Farhan Sakal, Head of Archaeological Operations, Qatar Museums and Dr.Mounia Chekhab, Curator, Museum of Islamic Art.
An exhibition of GIFs drawn from European libraries collections will also be held tomorrow. In the evening European business councils will come together along with their Qatari network to celebrate the business opportunities and to see how they can further enhance it.
“All business councils there will have one focus which is to build bridges between the European community and the Qatari community. It is good to emphasize the importance of culture from different perspectives,” said Robert Cats, chairman of Dutch Business Council Qatar.
Tahzib-Lie, who chairs the steering committee of EU ambassadors to promote the visibility of the EU, noted recurring events EU member-state embassies in Qatar has been organizing such as the annual European Language Day and the European jazz Festival.
“This year we will also initiate the European Film Festival and we are also working closely with Qatar National Music Competition,” she added.
