DOHA: Qatar Museums’ (QM) landmark Years of Culture programme has helped promote better intercultural understanding between Qatar and other countries using the powerful medium of art and culture.
Its latest initiative the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture has succeeded in organising various events and activities with two more events lined up next month, says Mohammed Al Othman QM’s Public and International Relations Director.
Othman stressed the Qatar Years of Culture initiative “is intended to use art and culture to foster improved mutual understanding, and build bridges between cultures.”
This is the fifth year of the programme following the success of its previous editions Qatar Japan in 2012, Qatar UK (2013); Qatar Brazil (2014) and Qatar Turkey (2015).
“We are delighted with the success of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture, which has helped to strengthen and enhance cultural relationships and mutual understanding between China and Qatar, and to build upon the long, shared history of cultural and diplomatic relations between both countries, through arts and culture,” he said.
Next month, QM will launch the Qatar China 2016 photography exhibition, which will see the works of four Chinese and two Qatari photographers.
An integral element of the year-round programme, this exhibition is a product of cross-cultural exchange capturing on lens the similarities and diversity of both cultures.
“The photographers travelled to each other’s country to document another way of life and capture each other’s cultures through their own lenses,” said Othman.
A four-day Chinese Festival which will be held at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) park from November 2 to 5 which is expected to attract crowds with a fusion of performances, food, film and other activities.
“This is an event not to be missed, with some of Zhejiang’s leading musicians and performers taking to the stage in a setting that will include a Chinese market, Chinese tea house, photography exhibition space, food stalls and a children’s area,” he said.
Two exhibitions concurrently taking place in Qatar and China are drawing attention for the rarity and uniqueness of objects on display.
The world famous Terracotta warriors from the First Emperor’s terracotta army are among the amazing collection on show at the “Treasures of China” expo at MIA. Presented in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of China, the expo runs until January 7.
Over 130 rare pieces from the QM collection are being showcased at the recently opened “Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers” expo at the National Museum of China in Beijing.
Past exhibitions in Qatar including ‘What About the Art?’, which featured contemporary Chinese artists and the ‘Silks from the Silk Road - Chinese Silk Art’ which reflected the rich artistry of Chinese silk spanning over thousands of years were among the successful events organised in Qatar in line with this year’s programme.
With the success of previous Years of Culture, Othman was optimistic of the upcoming Qatar Germany 2017.
“Qatar and Germany have very strong ties and the partnership will celebrate and explore common values between each of our cultures, breaking down barriers and opening minds,” he said.
