By Isabel Ovalle
With the Qatar-UK year having begun, a significant calendar of events in both countries will celebrate and develop partnership between Qatar and the United Kingdom and increase engagement between the people of both nations in the spirit of innovation, openness and learning.
Qatar Museums Authority and the British Council have coordinated a varied and exciting programme of activities in both countries, in association with several other partners. The programme includes activities based on eight pillars: art and design; sport; film and media; performing arts; community building; science and research; education; and sustainability.
One of the highlights of the Qatar-UK year was the world premiere at Katara Cultural Village of a fast-paced and vibrant new production of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
The play is part of the ‘Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank’ series, which takes place every year at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. In Qatar, the shows took place on February 19, 20 and 21 in the Drama Theatre at Katara. The 90-minute production retained Shakespeare’s original language in a performance for audiences of all ages.
Other events include the launch of the Qatar-UK Alumni Network on March 14 by the British Council for citizens and residents of Qatar who have graduated from a UK university with an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
The Alumni Network will celebrate the achievements of its members and reinforce mutual understanding and appreciation of Qatari and British cultures. The members will gain professional development through sector-focused events, get the opportunity to support, lead and inspire recent UK graduates in Qatar by sharing expertise and experience with early career professionals; and enjoy a quarterly e-newsletter celebrating the achievements of Qatar-UK alumni who are contributing to the development of the nation.
The Arts and Disability Festival (from March 15 to March 30) will include daily screening of ‘Turning Points’, which weaves together six life-changing stories told by a visually impaired dancer, a young boy, a career woman, an Olympic runner, a Hollywood star and the film-maker himself, Welshman Chris Tally Evans, to create an enchanting and inspiring film.
At the Museum of Islamic Art, visitors can view the exhibition, Ferozkah: Traditional Arts from Contemporary Afghanistan, from March 19 to July 22. The exhibition is the result of a partnership between the Museum of Islamic Art and students and teachers of the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul.
Half of the 90 objects on display will be from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection of historical pieces from four great dynasties with connections to Afghanistan: the Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals and Safavids. The other half will present works created specifically for the exhibition by Turquoise Mountain students in response to, and in conversation with, the historical objects. The institute is the school of Turquoise Mountain Trust, a UK-based charity under the patronage of the Prince of Wales and founded by MP Rory Stewart.
Part of the community building pillar is the Springboard Women’s Development Programme, running from April 6 to April 27. The programme aims to empower women to accomplish their goals, develop their skills and achieve better positions in their professional and personal lives. Designed by The Springboard Consultancy, it targets women of all ages and from all backgrounds to build their skills and knowledge to achieve their goals.
Upcoming events in the near future in the area of sports include The Pitch Football Challenge, from April 1 to April 10 in Aspire Zone. The Pitch challenges senior high school teams to compete to be the best management team of a fictional professional British football club, Covchester Rovers.
The Pitch will help participants develop the skills, creativity and teamwork that international employers are looking for. Attendees will also get the chance to work with Coventry University -- the first business school in the UK to focus on the business side of sport -- as well as Education UK and the British Council -- sharing in a unique, international educational experience.
(For more information and the full calendar of events in Doha and London, go to qataruk2013.com)
The Peninsula
