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Co-operation in the field of education remains to be a significant part of the Qatar-Australia bilateral relations, undertaking various projects between academic institutions of the two countries, Australian ambassador Jonathan Muir has said. Speaking to reporters recently, the envoy said Qatar and Australia have done a number of research projects – between Qatar Foundation, Qatar University, and about 23 Australian universities over the past few years. Citing the reopening of Australia’s borders to the world, Muir said that students in Qatar will have the opportunity to study in Australia, which he noted has the 3rd largest number of international students around the world after the US and the UK. “It is important that Qatari students and students in the Qatari community more broadly know that Australia is open for business. Like many countries, we were closed for a long time to new students for a couple of years. Australia is consistently ranked in the top 10 for students around the world,” Muir said. He noted that many students from various countries go to Australia – renowned for its excellent education system – taking up courses like engineering, marketing, and business, among others. Muir said that there are many potential scopes for co-operation between Qatar and Australia in the education field, as well as in trade and investment, and culture. Noting that Australia enjoys a “great trading relationship” with trade volume reaching QR5.5bn in 2021, he pointed out that Aviation services remained Qatar’s top export to Australia, bringing goods not only to the country but also through Europe and the Middle East. Qatar Airways, the envoy pointed out, plays a key role in this co-operation and has been bringing travellers from Qatar and other parts of the world. He urged citizens and residents to visit Australia this summer.    

Aviation services remained Qatar’s top export to Australia, bringing goods not only to the country, but also through Europe and the Middle East, Australian ambassador to Qatar Jonathan Muir has said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of ‘Australian Week 2022’ at LuLu Abu Sidra recently, the envoy said, “Aviation services, particularly Qatar Airways, is the biggest line and a very important part of the entire economic relationship” between the two countries. “We really value Qatar Airways as a partner across the whole economy, and bringing in tourists now. Australia is open, and summer is coming up,” Muir said, as he encourage residents to visit Australia. He noted that Qatar and Australia enjoy a “great trading relationship” with trade volume reaching QR5.5bn in 2021, stressing that “there is plenty of scope for growth”. “Investment is good as well. We appreciate the fact the Qatar Investment Authority has placed its trust in the Australian market and there is plenty more that we can do there, and Qatar Airways has also invested in property,” Muir said, adding that Hassad food – the original Qatari investor in Australia – is also investing in agriculture. He said that Qatar is Australia’s third-largest market for Australian lamb after China and the US. “So clearly, Qataris have great taste for Australian meat and it is true that we have some of the best in the world, we have some great supply chains, Hassad and LuLu directly imports from Australia. Those supply chains are really important... they are well established. “I am very proud to promote these great Australian products, there’s an appetite for them here, people know Australian quality, it’s fresh, so that is the type of product that we like to market through LuLu,” the envoy added. “Our beef, lamb, seafood truffles, and olive oil – are consistently ranked among the world’s best.” Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International, said that LuLu Group is also working to open a LuLu office for sourcing and export distribution in Australia since it imports a lot of products directly from Australia. He cited the huge demand for Australian products in Qatar due to its quality standards and “Australia has a very trustworthy halal certification system.”    

The Malaysian embassy in Doha sees a huge potential for Qatar and Malaysia to collaborate in the field of healthcare, making high-quality and competitively affordable healthcare services easily accessible. While Qatar continues to provide exceptional healthcare services, Malaysian ambassador Shamzari Shaharan said there is a great opportunity for co-operation between the two countries and “to complement the services in Qatar.” “We have many private healthcare facilities in Malaysia with global recognition and international accreditation from the UK, the US, Australia, and even our homegrown Malaysian experts. Provided in these facilities are all state-of-the-art tech equipment,” said the envoy at a webinar yesterday promoting Malaysia’s healthcare tourism. Titled ‘Introduction to Malaysia Healthcare’ yesterday, the event was hosted by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) – an agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Heal. It was also participated by Zurich International Life Qatar general manager Greg Loayon, and moderated by BizRep Services director Mohamed Thomas Lim. According to Shaharan, the seamless connectivity between Doha and Kuala Lumpur via Qatar Airways flights plays a key role in delivering excellent healthcare services. While the Covid-19 pandemic had kept many countries closed, he said, Malaysia was the first to reopen its borders in July 2020 for healthcare travellers, but adhering to very strict health and safety protocols. MHTC’s vice president of Marketing Kevin Low echoed Shaharan’s statement saying that Malaysia is a safe and trusted healthcare destination, providing world-class and modern services and facilities, in addition to seamless end-to-end patient experience. He said Malaysia has a well-regulated healthcare system monitored by its Ministry of Health, and patients save 60 to 80% in treatment costs compared to the rates in other countries offering the same services. Malaysia, which hosts 200 private hospitals, (besides dental clinics, and health and wellness centres), where 77 are active players in healthcare travel, is a renowned tourist haven and global halal hub, Low noted. From 643,000 arrivals in 2011, Malaysia witnessed 1.22mn healthcare travel arrivals in 2019 – recording a surge in revenue from $127mn to $362mn during this period. According to MHTC, Malaysia’s medical tourism industry saw a compounded annual growth rate of 16% to 17% in the last five years – well ahead of the global average of 10% to 12% and Asia-Pacific’s 12% to 14%. Malaysia is renowned for its oncology, fertility, cardiology, orthopaedic, and aesthetic treatments, attracting many health travellers from around the world.    

Kenyan ambassador Paddy C Ahenda, along with International Walking Football Federation (IWFF) Asia and Qatar president Farhan Al Sheikh al-Sayed, led the launching of the Kenyan Walking Football Club in Doha recently at Al Jazeera Academy. The event witnessed Ahenda, al-Sayed, and other embassy officials playing an exhibition match, followed by matches played between teams: IWFFQ Doha, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Ghana. Team Kenya won the finals and bagged the weekly trophy. Al-Sayed, also the senior vice president of IWFF, presented an ‘Affiliation Certificate’ to Ahenda, who heads the African Ambassador's in Qatar. He will be the Patron of the Kenyan Walking Football Club. He stressed that IWFF Qatar has been exerting effort and working hard to promote the sport as it runs awareness programmes in the country on the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle among local and expatriate communities. Al-Sayed noted that Walking Football is one of the fastest growing sports concepts in the world, reiterating that IWFF Asia and Qatar and has been busy affiliating countries across the world to be part of the club. Besides Kenya, he said embassies of Sri Lanka, Morocco, and South Africa have launched their Walking Football teams while community teams from the Philippines, Ghana, Nepal, India, Uganda, and Nigeria will be affiliated this year. Al-Sayed expressed optimism that this sport will soon become popular in many parts of Asia, including the Philippines and its neighbouring countries. This unique sport, he added, also encourages the youth, women, and different age groups, as well as ‘people with disabilities’, to stay fit and active instead of playing online games for long hours. Al-Sayed pointed out that he also wants “to unite all expatriate communities so they can enjoy this new concept of Walking Football and live in harmony and peace under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani”. IWFF Qatar is expected to hold several activities in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the country, set to be held from November 21 to December 18. Part of Walking Football’s general rules include: no running or jogging with or without the ball, no slide tackles and physical contact, ball must be played below knee height, blue card if a player commits three infringements and must leave the game for two minutes, red card if a player return from the sin bin and commits a further three infringements and no further play in the game (sent off), and a penalty kick is a direct free kick. Al-Sayed said some of the goals of this sport include: keeping former players active and involving new players, enabling social interaction within all communities, avoiding injuries and helping those with physical disadvantage, providing a positive playing environment, and building friendships.    

Doha Metro has added two new metrolink routes to its network for Msheireb/Al Bidda and Al Aziziyah stations from Sunday. In a Tweet by Doha Metro & Lusail Tram page Friday, the M108 route will travel between Al Bidda and Msheireb stations, with pick up and drop off points at various locations such as Ezdan Al Rayyan Towers, Banyan Tree Doha, Square Electronics, Saray Musheireb, Four Points by Sheraton, Al Mana & Partners, and Regency Residences, among others. Marked as M312, this route travels between Al Aziziyah station and Nissan Quick Service, and passes along Hetteen Boys School, Al Andalus School for Boys, Al Hawari Cafeteria, Al Murrah Studio, Footsteps Nursery, Honey Pot Nurser, and Family Medical Polyclinic. Doha Metro will also resume its metrolink service from Ras Bu Fontas station, the M127 route. Via the Al Wakra Road, it will travel between this station and Al Wakra station, passing along the Doha British School, Al Meera, Souq Al Wakra, and Al Wakra Park. Metrolink is a feeder bus network providing first and last-mile connectivity to Qatar Rail customers within a 2 to 5km radius of Doha Metro stations. It is learnt that a large number of commuters in Doha have been benefitting from these Metrolink services, offering free-of-charge and convenient rides between metro stations and their pick up/drop off points. Many residents find these feeder buses/vans practical especially for those who have no private cars and rely on other modes of transportation. While receiving a positive response from several train passengers, residents in other areas in Doha expressed optimism that more routes will be introduced in the near future, giving them easy access to metro services.

*The ‘virtual run’ – an extension of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2022 set from March 5 to 11     The 10th edition of Ooredoo Doha Marathon, which has become a key sporting event in Qatar, is set to take place on March 11 in a new, bigger, and scenic location – Lusail City. “Something is different this year, we are moving the marathon from the Doha Corniche to Lusail. It is a very big destination for us and for Qatar, we want to showcase the iconic places in the country, and it is one of the most popular places now, Ooredoo Qatar public relations director Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari told reporters at a press conference yesterday. He was joined by Qatar Foundation’s community programme manager Aljazi taleb al-Henzab and Ooredoo Qatar’s CSR, Sponsorship and Media director Moza Khalid M M al-Muhannadi. Al-Kuwari said this annual event encourages people and the community to engage in sports – not only during the National Sport Day – but as part of their daily life. According to him, the Ministry of Public Health has so far approved 2,000 runners to participate in the marathon, in adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols. Some of the best international and local runners are also expected to take part in the marathon, where huge prizes are at stake, he noted. “There will be top runners coming, we have invited many professionals and we are waiting for their response,” al-Kuwari said. He added that the event’s latest edition will witness a new activation, the ‘Marathon Village’, which will open two days prior to the actual race. It will also allow participants to come and take their accreditations, bibs, and shirts. Organisers stressed that Covid-19 restrictions will be strictly implemented at the event, limiting the number of participants and spectators. Runners will be required to present valid vaccination certificates upon registration. According to the organisers, runners can also take part in the ‘virtual run’ – an extension of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2022 set from March 5 to 11 – giving them the option to run elsewhere using a special GPS app. “We know that many of our runners will want to join in, but – despite the precautions being taken to ensure safety -- would feel more comfortable running separately to other participants. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Alongside the physical event, we’re also running a virtual Marathon so you can run alone. “You have to run at an outside location (not on a treadmill) and track your run with our special GPS app. “The virtual race may be taking place in the online world, but the experience won't be any less than the real race. We'll be elevating your virtual experience using the Suffix.Tracker app, which has several cool features that will make the race more engaging and fun,” organisers said. “You complete the race anywhere you feel comfortable since it's virtual.” Registration categories are: 1KM for children, 5KM, 10KM, 21KM, and 42KM – adults.    

The 9th Qatar International Agricultural and Environmental (Agritech and Envirotech) Exhibition 2022, set to take place from March 10 to 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, will put a spotlight on innovation in agricultural techniques, creating a blueprint to attain food security and sustainable development, organisers have said. The latest edition provides an opportunity for industry experts to “explore a wide range of agricultural technologies, equipment and related products, meet key decision-makers, gain valuable insights, and discover the best practices”.   Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf “Agritech and is a gate to the horticulture companies to introduce their technologies to the private sector and consumers, and it has become the lead horticulture event in Qatar and the region,” prominent Qatari agriculturist and Agrico managing director Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf told Gulf Times. As one of the participating companies, he said they will be focusing on greenhouse technology, corps management system, corps irrigation, and fertigation system, indoor farming, hydroponic growing system, aquaponic growing system, mushroom production, fish farming, shrimp farming, agriculture materials, and organic waste management system. Exhibitors are also expected to showcase and promote an array of technologies and innovations on soil cultivation, irrigation systems, plant protection, and dairy production, among others. Under Envirotech, a wide range of products/equipment, services, and systems will be highlighted, including recycling, alternative energy systems, waste management, water treatment, waste-to-energy, and many more. Organisers noted that “the increase in adoption of advanced farming technologies and conducive government policies supporting domestic crop production is one of the factors driving the market growth in the country.” Al-Khalaf reiterated that such an exhibition, which “has been at the forefront in providing a full-fledged platform for local and international agriculture stakeholders to exchange expertise,” plays a key role in Qatar's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food. The four-day exhibition will feature government sessions, talks panel discussions, and other sessions that will tackle initiatives and opportunities in Qatar, industry concerns, climate change and ways to preserve the environment, and ‘supporting and showcasing research and scientific studies. According to the organisers, “protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development are at the forefront of Qatar’s priorities. As one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1996, Qatar has a longstanding commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. Qatar is an active partner in the international community to confront the climate crisis.” The 2021 edition of the exhibition witnessed more than 300 exhibitors from 42 countries participating. Besides attracting more than 8,500 local and international visitors, it also saw a 28% increase in the number of participants from various countries and 61% locally. Organisers said the exhibition “will feature a specialised business matchmaking platform to help exhibitors and visitors meet key decision-makers from the public and private sectors, through pre-arranged meetings, to discuss potential opportunities and partnerships”.

As the number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Japan continues to drop, the easing of border restrictions for foreign visitors – including those from Qatar – is now being reviewed by the authorities, Japanese ambassador Satoshi Maeda has said. “Although it’s still unclear due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant, the increase in the number of coronavirus infections in Japan has now subsided and border measures are being reviewed in the direction of relaxation,” the envoy explained at a recent press briefing in Doha. Maeda noted that they have been receiving inquiries from Qataris regarding travel to Japan, “so the embassy will continue to work with them”. With daily direct flights between Doha and Tokyo, it is learnt that the number of visitors from Qatar to Japan had been increasing in previous years, but was stalled by the pandemic. In the pre-pandemic era, Japan was a favourite leisure destination for citizens and residents of Qatar due to its variety of tourism offerings. Besides Tokyo, a huge number of travellers also visit cultural capital Kyoto – a famous spot for gardens, imperial palaces, and temples, among other attractions. The envoy said that Japan is looking forward to welcoming visitors from Qatar “when the corona situation settles down and the issuance of tourist visas resumes”. “We will continue to promote the charms of Japan with an eye to expanding exchanges with Qataris after the situations related to corona are better,” added Maeda, who recently led Japan’s National Day celebration on February 21, which also marked the 62nd birthday of the emperor of Japan in Doha at Marsa Malaz Kempinski.    

Qatar Museums’ (QM) plans to transform the nation’s landscape into a vast outdoor art museum experience “is an outstanding idea how to shorten the distance between people and art,” Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum director Claudio Cravero has said. “Since by definition public art is made available and accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, it works as an awareness-starter regarding the importance of art and culture in everyone’s life,” Museum director Claudio Cravero told Gulf Times. Led by its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, QM’s initiative will add more than 40 public artworks by renowned Qatari, regional and international artists this year to mark Qatar's hosting of FIFA World Cup 2022. According to QM, new and commissioned installations will be set up in different locations in Qatar such as public parks, shopping areas, educational and athletic facilities, Hamad International Airport (HIA), and Qatar Rail stations, in addition to a number of stadiums that will host the football matches. “The public art initiative supported by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa will span over 100 works of art in the public space. It has so far resulted successful with masterpieces at everyone’s doorstep. “From Richard Serra to Damien Hirst, Qatar’s landscape has been enriched exponentially over the last few years. However, the educational foundations behind public art commissioning go behind the mere embellishment of the public space, because when art is set outside the gallery display, it acts as a bridge to shorten the distance between people and the museums,” Cravero said. Some of the prominent works in Qatar, QM noted, include Serra’s 'East/West-West/East' in Zekreet, Hirst’s 'The Miraculous Journey' at Sidra Medicine, Louise Bourgeois’ ‘Maman’ at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Ahmed al-Bahrani’s 'Flag of Glory' at the National Museum of Qatar, Ghada al-Khater’s 'A Blessing in Disguise' at the Doha Fire Station, Urs Fischer’s 'Untitled (Lamp/Bear)' at HIA, Subodh Gupta’s 'Gandhi’s Three Monkeys' at Katara – the Cultural Village, Saloua Raouda Choucair’s ‘Bench’ at the Museum of Islamic Art Park, and Dia al-Azzawi’s 'Flying Man' by HIA, among others. Recent installation includes American artist Mark Handforth’s ‘Turquoise City’ last year at Msheireb Downtown Doha, which forms part of the Qatar–USA 2021 Year of Culture. QM also launched many initiatives as part of its public art programme such as 5/6, Jedariart, and student competition, among others, aimed at “enriching daily life and encouraging the community to reflect on social, historical and cultural issues”. Cravero said that while FBQ Museum doesn’t include pieces of public art yet, they are planning outdoor activities around Al Samriya estate, “where art will become the centrepiece of public’s experience”.    

Japan is keen to explore various areas of co-operation with Qatar, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations, Japanese ambassador Satoshi Maeda has said. “As the AI robot market is expected to grow, Japan's current interest in AI and robotics is high and its research and progress is remarkable. For example, there is a high level of interest in this field, including the use of robots in the medical field and the use of collaborative robots to improve industrial logistics. “It would be great if we could explore possible areas of cooperation with Qatar in the future,” the envoy told a recent briefing at his residence in Doha. According to Maeda, collaboration in AI and robotics could create numerous opportunities between Qatar and Japan due to their strong interest in science and technology. “These areas have huge potential but we need to talk more about specific projects and how we cooperate and invest, that is very important,” he added. However, the envoy pointed out that the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic since its onslaught in March 2020 hindered many activities and other engagements. He expressed optimism that there will be more opportunities “to get together” between the two countries as the situation continues to improve. Maeda also sees Qatar and Japan cooperating in several other fields, including culture and arts, sports, and in the diplomatic arena – working together to achieve shared values and goals for the international community. In the area of culture and the arts, he said a large-scale cultural event took place on February 4 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan. The embassy plans to hold the 13th Qatar Japanese Language Speech Contest in March, originally scheduled in January but was postponed due to the spread of the new variant of Covid-19. “In addition, we are currently working with Qatar Museums to plan a number of other cultural events for this year's 50th anniversary which will be announced soon,” Maeda said. About the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he said this tournament is one of the most popular sporting events not only in Japan but also in the world, “so we expect many soccer fans, including dignitaries, to come from Japan to watch the games.”    

The further strengthening of Qatar – Japan bilateral relations, under a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’, could signal the start of enhancing their defence co-operation, according to Japanese ambassador Satoshi Maeda. “We would like to consider exchanges in the field of defense and security in the future,” the envoy told a recent press briefing at his residence to mark the National Day of Japan. The celebration, which also marks the 62nd birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, is set to take place today (February 21) at Marsa Malaz Kempinski. Serving for seven years in Japan’s Ministry of Defence, Maeda underscores the importance of enhancing ties in such field between the two countries, in addition to various areas of cooperation. “Japan enjoys a comprehensive partnership with Qatar and cooperates in a variety of fields. We would like to promote further cooperation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. “I am convinced that under the Comprehensive Partnership, bilateral cooperation can be further deepened not only in the energy sector but also in other areas such as clean energy, politics, diplomacy, defense, investment, culture and sports,” Maeda said. He lauded the success of Qatar's mediation diplomacy (all-round diplomacy) and its efforts to build peace and security in the region. He described Qatar’s presence in the international community, particularly the role it played Afghanistan, as “very impressive”, as it helped a lot in the evacuation of around 300 people, several Japanese and mostly Afghanistan nationals who worked with the Japan embassy in Kabul and other Japanese organisations. The envoy reiterated the significance of their first strategic dialogue last year – based on the comprehensive partnership that was declared in 2013 and reinforced in 2015 – saying that “we are very happy to continue that strategic dialogue in the future.” According to Maeda, the next meeting could take place in the summer this year in Tokyo depending on the Covid19 situation. As the international community faces various challenges such as globalisation, the shifting balance of power, rapid development in digital technology, and environmental problems, he expressed confidence that Qatar and Japan could tackle these issues together under this strategic dialogue. The envoy stressed that they also want to promote cooperation in education, human resource development, and social and environmental development (conservation) with the aim of realising the Qatar National Vision 2030. About commercial and investment, Maeda said: “We hope that bilateral investment will be promoted in the future. In addition to promoting investment in Qatar from the Japanese side, we hope that Qatari will visit Japan in the future to explore the possibility of investment in Japan, assuming that the new corona-related border measures are relaxed”. “I think we should also consider that – bringing more popular brands to Qatar like Daiso. It is a good example of a Japanese company which is very successful here in Qatar and I am expecting the same type of business that might be able to come here,”he added. The envoy said that high-level visits could also take place this year, depending on the Covid19 conditions.    

The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum will open a new section right before the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, featuring a collection of over 500 antique vehicles, according to museum director Claudio Cravero. Described as the ‘car museum’, he told Gulf Times that FBQ Museum has been preparing this major project for years, and is now being constructed. The new car museum will showcase classical, vintage, and sports cars “The collection will count around 500 cars, but will showcase 120 cars in a visitor journey through the evolution of car manufacturing globally and in parallel with Qatar’s development – a sort of narrative journey that goes from the beginning of motorisation/mobilisation in the Gulf region up to (the use of) latest brand-new models that you can see in the streets of Doha. Other sections of the museum display old traditional musical instruments, furniture, photographs, artworks, and other antique pieces from various parts of the world “It will include classical, vintage, and sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini. A depot-like display of up 200 cars will also be on show,” said Cravero, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Azerbaijan section’s inauguration at FBQ recently. The ‘car museum’ will be the latest addition at FBQ Museum’s several other sections such as the carpet section and clothing hall, among others, in addition to the Q’uran room, which houses a huge number of Q’urans. The FBQ Museum has a private collection of more than 30,000 objects on display Other sections of the museum display old traditional musical instruments, furniture, photographs, artworks, and other antique pieces from various parts of the world. Established in 1998, Cravero noted that FBQ Museum is one of the biggest private museums globally, which has a private collection of more than 30,000 objects on display. “They range from the Jurassic era and pre-historic times to pre Islamic era up to the present day, crossing geographies and boundaries. The pieces on display are actually real, and a concentration of influences between cultures. “Sheikh Faisal’s passion for collecting dates back when he was 10 years old and he is still collecting extensively so we received pieces that have been acquired from other collections or from auction houses, they are brought to the museum and put on display,” he said. According to Cravero, the Azerbaijani section, which will be permanently exhibited at the museum, forms part of the private institution's close co-operation with other foreign entities and embassies in Qatar. “We would like to highlight that this collection is essentially another new element within the narrative of the museum,” he said, adding that the Azerbaijani collection consists of around 110 items such as carpets, plates, music instruments, and “other memories that stresses the relationship between Qatar and Azerbaijan” “We received (items) quite frequently from foreign embassies here in Qatar as a sign of recognition to HE Sheikh Faisal, strengthening the bonds between two countries,” Cravero added. “Some of the pieces are not displayed, they are conserved and preserved within a private room inside the museum, they are not accessible to the public upon entrance”. He said previous collaborations with other embassies were connected with the Qatar Museums Year of Culture programme such as India, France, and recently, the US, among other partner countries. Almost 25 years old, the FBQ Museum is one of the oldest private museums in the Middle East and its uniqueness is reflected in the diversity and variety of the objects it keeps. “Another point is that it is a private institution, so whatever is done internally is really out of the generosity and passion of Sheikh Faisal himself,” Cravero said.

Qatar citizens and residents – especially Culture Pass members – will have the opportunity to explore a number of ongoing art exhibitions, guided tours, and other activities organised by Qatar Museums (QM) this weekend. At the Doha Fire Station, an exhibition titled Virgil Abloh: ‘Figures of Speech’ showcases more than 55 works, highlighting what was described as the late American artist’s “diverse pioneering media practice”, ranging from “visual arts to music, fashion, architecture and design”. The show, presented as part of the 2021 Qatar – United States Year of Culture, is curated by Michael Darling in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and Samir Bantal from AMO/OMA, and will be on view until March 31. “To pay tribute to Virgil Abloh’s art and legacy, the QM dropped a ‘Virgil Was Here’ banner at the Fire Station building. Members of the community can pay their personal tributes to the remarkable artist on a dedicated signing wall at the Fire Station's plaza,” the QM posted on its social media pages recently. Msheireb Downtown Doha’s M7 puts a spotlight on Christian Dior rare collections that have never been showcased before, “including ensembles from the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser”. The exhibition, titled *Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and curated by Olivier Gabet and designed by Nathalie Crinière especially for Qatar, marks almost 75 years of creative passion, “punctuated by captivating haute couture dresses and works from the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris”. It will run until March 31. The QM noted that “Christian Dior's inspiration comes from places he didn't necessarily visit: since the East and the Far East, India, Africa, South America, were actually a major reference in his options for the decoration”. A collection of Iraqi objects, for example, “illustrates the vision of the inclusive walls of fashion, as well as the painting of the basic Dior colours”. “Pink includes ‘the colour of happiness and femininity’, and ‘dior red’, the colour that best symbolises the ‘travalgar effects’, and the colour that ‘exposes women’s smiles,” the QM said. “As for blacks, he considered him the most stylish colours and said he could write a full column about him.” The 2021 Qatar – United States Year of Culture exhibition also highlights the works of renowned American contemporary artist Jeff Koons, featuring more than 60 works – displayed in 16 galleries at QM Gallery Al Riwaq – drawn from his 40-year career. Koons’s first show in the Gulf region, dubbed *Jeff Koons: Lost in America, which will also on view until March 31, offers a deep understanding into the artist’s outstanding career and works. According to the QM, this one-of-its-kind exhibition “presents a portrait of American culture as seen through Koons’s autobiography, beginning with his childhood in suburban Pennsylvania ... each artwork highlights his memories, influences and fascination with American visual culture”. “Conceived as an expansive self-portrait, *Lost in America includes sculptures and paintings with mesmerising, mirrored surfaces that reflect the viewers and call attention to notions of self-transformation and becoming,” the QM said. Other QM exhibitions include *Kadder Attia: On Silence (on view until March 31 at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art), and *Mohamad Hafez: What is Home to You? (until tomorrow, February 19, at The Gallery, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar). An online lecture on “bridging the human and natural worlds” by media artist, filmmaker and educator Jonah King will take place on February 21 at 7pm, while a workshop on the “creation of digital avatars in augmented reality and motion capture” would be on February 22 at 5pm.    

Azerbaijan’s appeal as a leisure destination is expected to get a further boost with the visa-free entry of Qatar citizens and residents to the South-Eastern European country, ambassador Rashad Ismayilov has said. Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Azerbaijan section at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum Wednesday, the envoy stressed that Azerbaijan is expected to receive more visitors from Qatar with the latest update on visa exemptions. He noted that an agreement on mutual exemption from entry visa requirements for ordinary passport holders between Qatar and Azerbaijan was signed by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku last year. According to Ismayilov, Azerbaijan offers an array of popular tourist spots not only during the summer but also in the winter season. It is nearly three hours away from Doha via a Qatar Airways flight. He said fully vaccinated travellers can take advantage of the quarantine-free entry to Baku, and the daily flights between the two cities. Azerbaijan, Ismayilov added, remains to be a popular leisure destination for Qatar visitors, as well as people from the Gulf region, witnessing a huge number of tourists in previous years especially before the Covid-19 pandemic. The envoy also sees Qatar’s tourism sector booming with the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, taking place from Nov 21 to Dec 18. Ismayilov said that many football fans in Azerbaijan are expected to visit Qatar and watch the games in the prestigious tournament, which will take place for the first time in the Middle East. He stressed that Qatar has been successful in hosting major sports tournaments – from football to tennis, athletics, swimming, table tennis, and billiards, among others – attracting many players and fans from various parts of the world.

An Azerbaijan section at Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum was inaugurated Wednesday, displaying various objects representing “vibrant local heritage enriched by Islamic influences.” Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan ambassador Rashad Ismayilov said his country enjoys an old and very rich culture. "Early works of art in our country date back 5,000 years ago. Wonderful nature, climate and resources of my country produced a significant impact on artistic thinking and creation skills of our people. The traditional Azerbaijan dress has a long history dating back 5,000 years, according to the envoy. “I am so excited that, from now on, some exhibits from Azerbaijan will be displayed here. I take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in this work, particularly to HE Sheikh Faisal,” he explained. The envoy and HE Sheikh Faisal led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and toured some of the sections at the FBQ museum, along with Ismayilov's wife, Mehriban Ismayilov, and other ambassadors and embassy officials from different embassies in Doha. Showcased objects reflect Azerbaijan's "vibrant local heritage enriched by Islamic influences." The Azerbaijan section, titled ‘Azerbaijan: Crafting a Cultural Network along the Silk Road’, showcases a number of traditional carpets, dresses, musical instruments such as tar, ghaval, and saz, shabakas, decorative bowls, and Arab mashrabiya, among other items. HE Sheikh Faisal thanked Ismayilov for bringing unique and exceptional pieces from Azerbaijan to the FBQ museum – which houses Sheikh Faisal’s personal collection, comprising more than 15,000 items. Traditional Azerbaijan musical instruments on display at the FBQ Museum's latest section. With a lot of things to showcase from Azerbaijan, HE Sheikh Faisal said the FBQ museum could expand and make the section bigger in the future. He also indicated plans to visit Azerbaijan soon. Opening a section at the renowned FBQ museum, according to Ismayilov, provides an opportunity to promote Azerbaijan’s rich culture and heritage to the people of Qatar, as well as to foreign visitors. Traditional knives and other tools form part of Azerbaijan's rich culture “Enriching world musical culture with its rare pearls, Azerbaijan music also has multi-centuries old traditions. This is why we brought some of our traditional musical instruments too. “Today, one can easily come across numerous wonderful models of Azerbaijani folk arts in the world's largest museums. We are so proud that we will see such art pieces in Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum also,” Ismayilov said. The traditional dress on display, he pointed out, has a long history dating back 5,000 years, while old equipment, instruments, and tools were all handcrafted and form part of Azerbaijan’s culture. Ismayilov also highlighted the close and strong bilateral relations between the two countries, stressing that “Azerbaijan's cultural ties with Qatar are of exceptional importance to us”. “Proceeding from this priority, we have been implementing various joint projects together with our Qatari friends. And we will spare no efforts to develop the bilateral cultural ties between the two brotherly countries further,” the envoy stressed.

Artworks all made of stainless spoon and fork – among them a soon-to-be-completed metal horse bust by Filipino artist Danny Ponce – continue to captivate many visitors at the second edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2022). Enthusiasts find the artist’s pieces impressive not only because of the selected materials but also due to the way they are created and designed – without using any machine, welding, or pattern. “I don’t use welding to bind or connect one part from the other. What I do is bend and shape (the material by a tool). I find this extraordinary compared to just using metals, cutting it, and putting the part somewhere to form the artwork that you like,” Ponce, who has been living in Qatar for 16 years, told Gulf Times. “Otherwise, I will just be doing an ordinary metal sculpture, but I want something more creative and challenging,” he stressed. Apart from the metal horse bust, Ponce is also showcasing at KIAHF 2022 a 28-inch robot that resembles a character from the Transformers film. His other works on display at their home include a Harley Davidson-inspired motorbike, a quad bike, and a metal Oryx (ongoing project), among others. He noted that it will take him approximately another one month to finish the bust, which is being created and displayed as part of his participation at the KIAHF 2022. He has initially formed the horse’s mouth and parts of its face. Ponce, who started doing metal sculpture 20 years ago, said that he was inspired to pursue his passion of using scraps – particularly spoon and fork – for his artworks after watching “Beauty and the Beast” with their daughter. “I saw a character in the film which resembles a spoon and so an idea came to my mind and thought of pairing it with another spoon, and it looked like a chest armour. From there, I was able to form a robot out of spoon and fork. From there, I developed my other artworks,” explained Ponce, who is the husband of Concon Ponce, founder of Future318, and the organiser of Doha Women Forum. About the festival, Ponce said that KIAHF serves as an ideal platform for emerging artists, especially those who have yet to open their own shops and showrooms, to showcase their creativity. The 11-day event concludes today at the Katara Esplanade. It is being held under the generous patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and organised by Katara in association with Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, and Qatar Foundation. The latest edition of the festival showcased hundreds of purebred Arabian horses from 11 countries, taking part in a number of categories, including the recently-concluded Arabian Peninsula Horse Show and Yearling Fillies, as well as the Title Show, which concludes today. KIAHF 2022 also hosts a number of art and photo exhibitions, displaying several works by artists from Qatar and the region, in addition to live saddle painting, shepherds’ tents and cafes, and other attractions. Ponce lauded the efforts of Katara – the Cultural Village in nurturing creative talents and hosting an array of events and exhibitions that promote their works to a wider audience.    

*Aspire hosts Shura Council members, fitness enthusiasts and public on NSD   Qatar’s annual National Sport Day celebration brought together Shura Council members on Tuesday at Aspire Park, while also engaging park-goers in several outdoor activities that promote an active and healthy lifestyle. “NSD reflects Qatar’s keenness with regard to sports and highlights the importance of sports in a person’s life and well-being. We try to get everybody – men, women and the youth – to be involved in sports,” HE the Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim told Gulf Times. HE the Speaker, along with his colleagues and employees of the Council’s General Secretariat, marked the start of NSD activities at Aspire Park and took part in a number workouts, exercises and other activities. HE al-Ghanim said NSD, which was first held in February 2012, highlights Qatar’s interest in sports as it prepares to host a prestigious football tournament this year – the FIFA World Cup 2022 – set to be held in the Middle East for the first time. He stressed that the National Sport Day is an embodiment of the importance of sport in human life, adding that allocating a sports day for the State aims to remind the people of the importance of making the sports an integral part of their lifestyle and that it is not limited to a specific day. According to HE al-Ghanim, NSD’s aims form part of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, and provide an opportunity for people of different age groups to exercise and play the sports they like at various locations in the country. HE the Shura Council’s Deputy Speaker Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti, too, stressed that NSD is a special and unique celebration, which also serves as an excellent platform to establish good relations between Shura Council members. “As you know, we are the first country all over the world to have a National Sport Day, and we believe that sport should be part of our daily life,” she said. In a press statement, HE Dr al-Sulaiti cited Qatar’s huge passion for sport, building state-of-the-art facilities, including those for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, “according to the wise directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani”. She noted that such extraordinary efforts come “within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030 and its emphasis on the development of the human element and concern for its health”. HE Dr al-Sulaiti also highlighted the various achievements of NSD, witnessing the participation of different governmental and non-governmental organisations in the country. It further proved that Qatar “attaches great importance to sports as part of development due to its repercussions on community health as a noble humanity value”. Part of the NSD celebration at Aspire Park included community-focused activities and events organised by Aspire Academy, attracting many park-goers and sports enthusiasts, especially families and children. In a press statement, Aspire Academy said all their activities – held in line with public health guidelines – were organised “to promote the country’s national sports strategy and inspire the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle”. Some of these activities included gym, volleyball, spinning, Padel and workouts for members of the community, in addition to a variety of games for children, families and visitors, which took place at Pitch No. 10 and 11, besides Aspire Park and the Padel Court. On a chilly morning, children from all age-groups lapped up the opportunity to be a part of the annual NSD. Six-year-old Mohamed Anas, who was accompanied by his parents, experienced his first-ever full-time NSD activities at the Aspire Park. “I like to walk in the open air and enjoy the vast green spaces at the Aspire Park,” said Anas. Another visitor, Aayat, 14, has witnessed the NSD activities at Aspire Park since 2013. “We generally come here on our weekends but Aspire Academy’s NSD activities at Aspire Park are something special and innovative,” she said.    

A significant and unique event like Qatar National Sport Day (NSD) helps build bridges and enhance mutual understanding between people and cultures from around the world, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan has said. “We hope it (NSD) will create a bigger avenue for Qatar and Indonesia to have further co-operation and collaboration in sports,” he said, lauding Qatar for organising an annual sports day, which takes place every second Tuesday of February. In a press statement, the envoy noted that Qatar and Indonesia continue to enjoy friendly, cordial and long-lasting relations in the field of sports. Hassan said that the Indonesian Olympic Committee and Qatar Olympic Committee signed a memorandum of understanding last year to enhance co-operation in the sports field. This year, many Indonesians living in Qatar will again gather and exercise together – along with other communities – to mark NSD. The event this year, held under the slogan *Sports is Life, marks its 10th anniversary and underlines the key role of sports on people’s lives and society, and raises public awareness on the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. NSD Committee chairman Abdulrahman Musallam al-Dosari recently announced that all NSD events this year should be held outdoors, adhering to coronavirus (Covid-19) safety protocols imposed by the Ministry of Public Health. “Not many countries in this world have a sports day and make it as a national day. The way the government and people of Qatar are embracing sports is exceptional,” Hassan said. “It shows us how deep the connection of this country is with sports.” He added that sports, at many levels, “has been used as an effective tool to generate soft-power diplomacy”. “The success of Qatar in hosting many international events for example will give more prestige and a good image of Qatar in the international arena,” the ambassador said. “The FIFA World Cup 2022, of which Qatar is the host, is another example of how sports plays an essential role in diplomacy.”