HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari speaking to the Italian news agency in Rome yesterday.

 

QNA/Rome
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari has stressed the role of culture in resolving problems linked to extremism.
Speaking to the Italian ANSAmed news agency on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of Giffoni Film Festival here, Minister al-Kuwari said, “I am absolutely convinced that all problems we are currently experiencing are linked to culture.. When the international community gives due importance to culture then all problems linked to extremism would be solved.”
The Minister noted that the Giffoni Film Festival is an integral part of this idea, and plays an important role in this regard and the future of peace worldwide.
The Minister also praised the ties of co-operation between the State of Qatar and Italy, particularly in the cultural and artistic fields.
HE Dr al-Kuwari commended the Giffoni Film Festival as a highly successful international cultural event,  and said that cultural co-operation between Qatar and Italy would continue to flourish.
The Minister said: “We are really proud that Doha is now among the most important cities in the Arab world”.  
“In recent years the State of Qatar has witnessed major improvements in cultural infrastructure such as theatres, museums, cinemas .. We are also proud that the only film festival for young people is held in Doha,” the Minister of Culture added.
Meanwhile, Mayor of the Italian city of Ercolano Ciro Bonetti and official in charge of tourism in the city, Di Stasio, met with Minister Dr al-Kuwari who is visiting Italy at the head of cultural delegation to attend the opening ceremony of Giffoni International Film Festival.
Talks during the meeting dealt with the selection of the city as the Capital of Italian Culture 2016 and the possibility of Qatar’s participation in this event.
The mayor and the official in charge of tourism in the city expressed the hope that the State of Qatar will participate with a cultural delegation to organise cultural days there, saying that they have heard a lot about the State of Qatar’s exceptional success in the organisation of celebrations marking Qatar as the Capital of Arab Culture 2010.
HE Dr al-Kuwari expressed his appreciation and admiration of the cultural and heritage legacy of the city
The mayor of the city said: “The visit by the culture minister of a country rich in history and traditions proves the importance of our city in the global cultural scene,” and added: “During our meeting we wanted Qatari cultural days to be organised in the city of Ercolano and there will be co-ordination with the embassy of Qatar regarding this issue.”
Italian media highlighted the participation of Dr al-Kuwari in Gioffini International Film Festival. Italian newspaper Il Mattino extensively covered his visit to the city of Ercolano yesterday.
The  Giffoni Film Festival is one of three major film festivals in Europe that attaches great importance to films for children and youth. It represents one of the important initiatives in the programme of cultural exchanges and dialogue of civilizations as officials from various countries take part in it.


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