Russia
will present more than 100 cultural programmes and exhibitions in Qatar
to mark the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture which will be inaugurated on
February 24.
In an interview with Gulf Times, Russian ambassador
Nurmakhmad Kholov said such a cross-cultural year of Russia is being
held for the first time in the Gulf countries.
“We are pleased that
it was Qatar who initiated an idea to acquaint the Middle East with
Russian culture. Most importantly, the heads of our states – His
Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Russian President
Vladimir Putin fully support this project. In this context, I should
note the personal role played by Qatar’s former minister of culture,
arts and heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari,” said ambassador
Kholov.
“The programmes for the upcoming Russia-Qatar Year of
Culture will please the Qatari audience and the guests with its
diversity and all the activities have been in arranged in collaboration
with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Qatar Museums, and Katara
Cultural Village,” noted Kholov.
“We have designed a plan of events
that includes the entire diversity of Russian cultural heritage – from
folk dances and popular crafts to the famous masterpieces of world
paintings and historical relics. Russia will present to the Qatari
public the best exhibits of the leading Russian museums such as from
Kremlin Museum, Tretyakov Gallery and Hermitage, performances by famous
dance groups (Igor Moiseev’s State Ensemble of popular dance, dance
group from Dagestan – Lezginka), Boris Eifman’s famous ballet from the
cultural capital of Russia – St Petersburg, the Moscow Puppet Theatre by
Sergey Obraztsov among others,” explained Kholov.
The Russian envoy
pointed out that the programme for the entire year is a huge one.
“Russian culture is rich and diverse, so we have a lot of things to show
to the Qatari audience. In the plan of cultural year, the Ministry of
Culture of Russia has included more than 100 events. That demonstrates
the great importance that we attach to the Year of Culture,” he
highlighted.
The envoy said that Russia’s Minister of Culture
Vladimir Medinsky will take part in the opening ceremony on February 24.
“Currently we are working on the programme of the visit of the official
delegation from Russia to Doha. Within the framework of the opening of
the Year of Culture, members of the Russian delegation will hold a
series of meetings with their Qatari partners – Qatar Museums, Qatar
Foundation and others. We are looking forward that HE the Minister of
Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, will take part in
the 6th International St. Petersburg Cultural Forum in November this
year, where Qatar is granted the status of the main guest,” added the
envoy.
Russian ambassador Nurmakhmad Kholov
