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Al Jazeera Documentary has announced the screening of the film “Black Bicycles Dreams” on its screen soon. The film, which will continue its journey at international festivals during 2024, monitors Eritrean Biniam Girmay’s rise in the world of bicycle racing since he was 17 years old. He is 24 now.The film follows Girmay's journey with his favourite sport, and his dream of participating in the most important global race, and perhaps winning it. The film also monitors Girmay's life in his home country Eritrea, where many athletes excelled in cycling around the world, but none of them were able to win in the Tour de France.The film was produced by Time Escape, and Al Jazeera Documentary has been participating in its production since 2021. The film was selected to participate in the Dok.fest Munich and Belgian Docville festivals, as well as the MOVE Festival in the Netherlands.“The Tour de France”, which began in 1903, is an annual cycling race that is held in several stages, most of which are located within the borders of France. It is the most prestigious and important race among the three major global cycling races. The only non-European riders who have ever won the race are from the US and Colombia, thus highlighting the importance of Girmay's achievement.Girmay recently won the third stage in “The Tour de France,” becoming the first African winner in the history of the race, which began 121 years ago.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Press announced on its Facebook account the launch of the Summer Book Club, a programme open to young readers between the ages of 8 and 10, which will be held from July 14 to 18 in Arabic or English.This comes within the framework of the publishing house’s encouragement of reading enthusiasts everywhere to take advantage of the opportunity this summer season and enjoy a number of its wonderful new publications, and to meet the passion of the reading public. The Summer Book Club will provide new books that satisfy readers from all walks of life and age groups.Coinciding with the summer vacations for students, which gives them more leisure time. Books intended for young people are witnessing rapid growth among the house’s publications, which is expanding to publish more books for this category.In order to satisfy the yearning of those who love adventure and suspense, and to encourage them to continue reading and writing during vacation times to maintain the advanced levels they reach in reading and writing skills. HBKU Press continues to provide a diverse range of books for children and adolescents of all ages, in various categories, from fairy tales to accessible educational books that support the curriculum and learning skills. HBKU Press seeks to provide a safe, productive summer vacation full of learning and creativity. It looks forward to readers enjoying this summer's comprehensive range of books, and also expects them to write their own stories.

The Qatar Fine Arts Society opened Wednesday a permanent exhibition titled “Qatari Fine Art,” at its headquarters in Katara - Cultural Village, in Building 19, Hall 2.The exhibits range between trends, visions, artistic contents, different schools, works and experiments. The artists have dabbled in realism, abstraction, impressionism, and surrealism. Where each artist participates with his experience and distinct artistic style, using his visual language and different technical materials, whether oil, acrylic, or from the arts of printing, graphics, ceramics, and woolen thread.The exhibition will bring together a group of Qatari visual artists to reflect their creative visions and different artistic schools of abstraction, realism and impressionism. As well as expressionism and surrealism, which will constitute a valuable opportunity to highlight the creative capabilities of Qatari artists through their new works that reflect new horizons of innovation and creativity through the use of colour, technology and ideas.The exhibition comes within the framework of the association’s keenness to continue presenting various exhibitions with the aim of supplying the Qatari art scene with distinguished artistic works, focusing on the most important experiences and displaying artistic works belonging to different generations.

The Qatar Press Center organised the 3rd session of the Press Café sessions on Tuesday which hosted the Palestinian content creator Ramadan Abu Jazar, 'the Little Al-Khwarizmi.'Ramadan, the ambassador of the Gazan child, is talented in reciting poetry and prose, rhetoric. Jazar's father, Mahmoud, and a child Walid, as well as a group of writers, media professionals, and content makers participated in the event.In the seminar that was moderated by Amal Abdul Malik, Ramadan spoke about the role of Qatar in supporting the Palestinian cause, and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire, facilitate the entry of aid. Qatar also arranges treatment in Doha for many of those wounded in the aggression, all the while remaining in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Ramadan said.He explained that his childhood was violated due to the war of extermination waged by the Israeli occupation army, and their school bags no longer held their books and notebooks, but rather became mobile lockers that held their identification papers.Ramadan Abu Jazar spoke about the state of fear and panic that he and all the children of Gaza have been living in since last October 7. Especially when hearing the sound of an explosion followed by another, wondering to himself: Are me and my family the next target? Or will God grant him a lifetime to complete his mission in supporting the Palestinian cause and conveying the voice of the people of Gaza to the world."I am one of the children whom God destined to come to life under the sounds of bombing, explosions, and the smell of gunpowder. My mother’s labour came during the displacement of my parents from one place to another during the Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2014, but these circumstances made my parents take upon themselves the responsibility of raising a great human being, a leader, and a preacher. I began memorising the Holy Qur’an at the age of two years, and at the age of two and a half years, I delivered a sermon on Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) that impressed everyone who heard it, given my young age. Since then, my passion for reading has doubled." he said.He stressed that the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza does not differentiate between a child, a young person, or an elderly person, as the people of Gaza are suffering from famine, displacement, and genocide. He said: “We used to spend long hours in queues to get a sip of water. The humanitarian relief and medical aid that enters Gaza are very little. It does not reach all areas, and does not meet our needs, so firewood was used instead of gas and shrouds instead of medicines. After the closure of the Rafah crossing, anyone who owned a can of beans or chickpeas became as if he owned the world. With the escalation of famine and the scarcity of clean water, we were forced to drink water that was not suitable for drinking.Ramadan indicated that during the aggression, he wrote a book titled “A Biography of Childhood and Heroism” in schools designated to be shelters of the displaced people of Gaza to escape the Israeli bombing, as a testimony to the tragedy of the people of Gaza under the bombing and siege.

The Nomas Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, is organising a trip to Norway, under the theme 'Science, Literature, and the Company of Majid, for boys aged 10 -15.During the trip participants will learn about the history and cultural heritage of Norway.The trip, in which a group of the centre's affiliates and staff will participate, will take place from August 23-30, the Nomas Centre announced on its Instagram account.The trip is aimed at building bridges of human and cultural communication, instill the principles of national identity, and discover the talents of young people, in addition to training young people on the importance of teamwork.The Nomas Centre holds training courses that strengthen the national identity of young people.

The General Union of Arab Journalists announced, during its meeting Saturday, in Baghdad, that the permanent office had received a recommendation to accept membership of the Qatar Press Center (QPC) as a “full member” of the Union.This came during the union’s meeting headed by Muayyad al-Lami, President of the Union of Arab Journalists, and Head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate.During the meeting, Saad bin Mohammed al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, provided an explanation about the center, its statute, its role, mission and vision. He also reviewed the events, seminars, training courses and activities carried out by the centre. Pointing out that the center is a private institution for public benefit, aiming to contribute to the development of media and journalistic work, and to pay attention to the affairs of media professionals in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030.Muayad al-Lami, President of the Union of Arab Journalists, invited the Chairman of the Center’s Board of Directors to visit Baghdad, to meet with members of the Union and learn about its activities and initiatives.During the visit, Saad bin Mohammed al Rumaihi met with many of the Arab media figures participating in the meeting, who welcomed him and praised the role of the Qatari media, and the interaction it has provided over many years in support of Arab issues, and the rights and freedoms of all journalists in the world.Al Rumaihi thanked Muayad al-Lami, and the brothers in the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, for their generous hospitality and good organisation of this meeting, wishing them further success in serving the media and its professionals.

Qatar Photography Center announced the launch of summer courses, during which it will offer a group of various workshops. These workshops will begin next July 2 with a mobile product photography workshop, presented by trainer Maha al-Athba over two days, from 5:00-8:00pm, building 18, Katara. The course aims to introduce the use of different methods and appropriate settings for product photography. The participants will acquire different skills in this type of photography, and there will also be a theoretical and practical application to enable the participants to become familiar with the content of the program and achieve the goal of presenting it. During the coming period, the center will offer various workshops, including the basics of photography, the basics of lighting, videography, and the Photographers’ Gathering. The center announced on its Instagram account, for more information https://www.instagram.com/p/C8e_DXeMfhM/?hl=enThe Qatar Photography Center works to develop the photographic movement within the country, and to discover the creativity of Qatari youth in this field. This is carried out through the courses, workshops, competitions and photographic exhibitions that the center offers throughout the year. Our commitment remains strong and continuous to encourage photographers, raise their capabilities, and develop their artistic talents in photography.

HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar National Archives (also known as Qatar Documentation House), reviewed the major role that the House plays in preserving the national memory and nourishing the cultural heritage of Qatar.HE Abdullah al-Attiyah stressed that preserving heritage and history is an imperative for every nation that cherishes its identity.HE al-Attiyah said: "The house, thanks to the high patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is continuing to fulfil its noble mission of recording the history of Qatar and highlighting its rich heritage. As it represents a beacon by which the present is enlightened and inspired , the future aspirations are determined by it."His Excellency noted in a video broadcast by the House on its official account on the “x” platform that the Board of Trustees and all the House’s members are confident of achieving the goals in a reasonable period. Since the House is at the founding stage, this is a kind of challenge for all of its staff who are young Qataris who have the necessary desire and ambition to contribute more for the nation.The next plan will focus on enhancing communication and co-operation with all government agencies, citizens, and some residents who have lived in the country for more than 40 years to help collect the legacy, HE the chairman pointed out.

The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) is to perform Bernstein’s Westside Story symphony on June 22, from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Auditorium 3, it announced on its website.The QPO will be conducted by Hossein Pishkar and featuring the philharmonic’s own violinist Lionel Schmit. Maurice Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole, Tzigane- Rapsodie De Concert, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Introduction, Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, and Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story' are among the highlights. (More information at https://qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org/concert/bernsteins-westside-story/)The orchestra recently presented a concert of the greatest pop songs, re-arranged by a group of musicians under the supervision of executive vice president Dr Nasser Suhaim al-Jassem, and under the leadership of the Grammy-nominated conductor, Alistair Willis. It also showcased local talents selected from the “Nagham” competition organised by the Music Affairs Center of the Ministry of Culture.

The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) is to perform Bernstein’s Westside Story symphony on June 22, 2024 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Auditorium 3, it announced on its website.The QPO will be conducted by Hossein Pishkar and featuring the philharmonic’s own violinist Lionel Schmit. Maurice Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole, Tzigane- Rapsodie De Concert, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Introduction, Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, and Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” are among the highlights. (More information here. )The orchestra recently presented a concert of the greatest pop songs, re-arranged by a group of musicians under the supervision of executive vice president Dr Nasser Suhaim al-Jassem, and under the leadership of the Grammy-nominated conductor, Alistair Willis. It also showcased local talents selected from the “Nagham” competition organised by the Music Affairs Center of the Ministry of Culture.

The Doha Theater Group held Tuesday the opening ceremony of its new headquarters in the Gharrafat Al-Rayyan area (Education City), on the third day of Eid al-Adha in the presence of an elite group of artists, media professionals and theatre lovers. Artist Ibrahim Mohamad al-Emadi, chairman of the Board of Directors of the troupe, confirmed that the opening of the new headquarters comes within the framework of the group’s continuous development efforts to provide its utmost in serving the theatrical movement in Doha.He revealed in a statement that the band intends to establish its own theatre and launch a special hall for lectures and rehearsals.Pointing out that the troupe has a group of texts that have been approved, as “Doha Theater Group” is vigourously preparing for the new season. He stressed: “The new headquarters is distinguished by its large spaces, which enable us to exploit these spaces in developing our theatrical activities. A special cultural library for the band was established, and the building also has a large outdoor courtyard to be a suitable place for theatrical activities in moderate weather. The group's administrative offices have also been expanded.”Regarding the group's future plans and strategy, al-Emadi said: “In the coming period, we intend to establish a special stage for the troupe on which we will present our performances to the public. It will also be a suitable place for training and theatrical rehearsals, in addition to building a lecture hall, as part of the troupe’s endeavours to provide a group of workshops and training, to qualify and discover theatrical talents.”On theatrical productions for the new season, al-Emadi added: “We currently have four texts that have been approved by the regulatory authorities, but we are awaiting the completion of renovation work of the Qatar National Theatre, as the arena suffers from the lack of a stage to present theatrical performances to the public. On the other hand, the troupe is working in full swing to prepare for the new theatrical season, to continue the success in the last edition of the Doha Theatre Festival.”

Al Jazeera Media Network presented the premiere of "Al-Shifa Hospital: The Crimes They Tried to Bury", at Vox Cinemas, Oasis-Msheireb, Doha to a packed audience on Wednesday.Among the viewers were dignitaries, diplomats, officials, journalists, social media influencers and nine doctors who were evacuated from Al Shifa Hospital.Produced by "Al Jazeera 360", the 44-minute film is a compelling documentary that investigates Israeli crimes within Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, from March 18 to April 1, 2024.The film provides a harrowing account of the incidents that took place during the Israeli aggression on Gaza, shedding light on the struggles faced by medical personnel and patients amidst the chaos.Through in-depth interviews, first-hand testimonies, and chilling footage, the documentary uncovers the extent of the violence that breached the sanctity of a healthcare facility. It presents evidence of direct attacks on hospital premises, disruptions to medical services, and the dire consequences for the innocent civilians seeking refuge and treatment within its walls.The documentary serves as a stark reminder of the humanitarian laws designed to protect medical institutions and the severe repercussions when these laws are violated. Al-Shifa Hospital, a symbol of hope and healing, is depicted as a frontline witness to the brutality of war, raising critical questions about the protection of civilians in conflict zones. Al Jazeera's investigative journalism in this film aims to hold perpetrators accountable and bring international attention to the plight of those affected. The film's detailed and empathetic portrayal of the events at Al-Shifa Hospital calls for urgent action and underscores the necessity of safeguarding medical facilities in times of conflict.The film extensively documents testimonials exclusively from survivors who witnessed acts of killing, torture, starvation, and incarceration, vividly depicting the horrors they experienced.It highlights how medical personnel and local people were ordered to bury victims in mass graves on hospital grounds. Later, the occupation forces desecrated these graves with bulldozers, crushing the corpses within, just as they had done with the victims scattered on the streets.The film documents interviews with witnesses in the immediate aftermath of the siege. The film’s producers gathered testimonials from hospital staff, patients and nearby residents who witnessed the 14-day siege of the medical centre and the atrocities committed against the patients and the civilian population, in addition to indiscriminate bombardment and the levelling down of building blocks on their inhabitants in the close vicinity of the hospital.Abdullah Khadra, a resident next to Al-Shifaa Hospital and who has been evacuated to Qatar, attended the film and said: “Since the attacks in 2008, 2014, 2016, and in 2024 the enemy was lying about Al Shifaa Hospital being Hamas headquarters, until we saw the reality as shown in the film. Al Shifa represents human memory in Gaza, as it is the place of births and deaths. Targeting it is targeting the Palestinian press narrative.”Noted Gaza journalist Wael al-Dahdouh in a short documentary shown after the film said about the horrors and the atrocities that were perpetrated by the occupation in the medical complex: “This is a drop of blood in an ocean of blood.”On the sidelines of the screening of the film, Gulf Times spoke to the film producer and director, Ubadah al-Baghdadi who said: “The documentary film is based on eyewitness accounts of the recent massacre that took place in Al-Shifa Hospital. It is about some testimonies that document what the Israeli occupation was trying to obscure through the last siege of the Al Shifa Hospital. The heroes of the film are eyewitnesses who were in and around Al Shifaa Hospital, including doctors, nurses."The film is purely humanitarian and does not contain a lot of archives. It was filmed in and around Al Shifaa Hospital. We took the witnesses back to the scene of the events and sought to bring out once again their memories and the moments they lived during that siege. The scenes and events were filmed in the same places where the crimes and horrors took place.”He stated: “As for filming, we found only one camera in northern Gaza, where the hospital is located. There is a major siege in the north. There were difficulties in filming and even in downloading materials and sending them to us. But the crew there are the real heroes who made that film. We shot the film with one camera, and there was even a cut in the lens, and there was no good equipment .”About the difficulties encountered, he said: “Of course, there was difficulty in convincing the eyewitnesses to return to the place where they had painful memories, but this was a point of strength in refreshing their memories and getting their emotional integration again, so this was a strong point of the film.”Jamalulddin El-Shayyal, manager of content strategy, Director of the Al Jazeera 360 platform, spoke to Gulf Times and said: “We took this film as a professional and ethical duty for us on the platform to document what is happening because we see that we are living in a state of war of narratives. The first duty of journalists and media professionals is to convey the truth, despite attempts to conceal it, and not just to obscure the truth, but to change it. We are unfortunately watching a genocidal war live through mobile phones, social media platforms, while the world is just watching. There are some forces that are trying to change what is happening.” He remarked: “We see an extermination or massacre called a rescue operation. We see hospitals targeted as strongholds for militants. For us, Al Shifaa Hospital is not only a symbol of life in the Gaza Strip, but it was of great importance to journalists.”El-Shayyal added: “Over the past 15 years, whenever there has been an Israeli aggression or war against the Gaza Strip, it has always targeted Al Shifaa. As for journalists, they always went there to convey the truth about the suffering of the Palestinian people due to the crimes of the occupation that happened to them. It was sometimes their only shelter in the middle of the Gaza Strip.”Concerning its dissemination, he said: “We translated this film into 7 languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and German; of course it is in Arabic and dubbed in English. It will be published on YouTube, on the Al Jazeera 360 YouTube pages, and shorter clips of it on other platforms."Of course, when the Al Jazeera 360 platform will be launched in September 2024, which we hope will overcome the algorithms of existing social media platforms and their concealment of the truth. It will be published on this platform for the Arab viewers, and viewers around the world will have complete freedom to reach the truth.”

The Ministry of Culture organised an open dialogue about the Doha Theater Festival (DTF), which concluded its activities recently.Dr Marzouq Bashir bin Marzouq, professor of drama theories at the Community College, and Jordanian critic Rashid Malhas spoke. It was attended by Abdul Rahman al-Dulaimi, director of the Department of Culture and Arts, and Abdul Rahim al-Siddiqi, director of the Center for Social Affairs, and a group of theatre artists who participated in the festival’s activities.Dr Marzouk Bashir discussed the role of science and objective artistic criticism in evaluating theatrical movement. He pointed out that systematic scientific analysis is almost missing in the Qatari theatre, which extends to fifty years. He also pointed out that lack of an objective scientific method for evaluating theatrical movement raises an important question about the achievements over these years. Were they real, or just individual achievements?He explained that theatre in general, and since its inception, has been based on a scientific methodology, stressing the importance of artistic talent, “but this does not mean ignoring the role of science.”He said that “the first scientific theory of drama was developed three thousand years ago. It continued to develop throughout the ages, until art schools appeared and thousands of universities were established all over the world, including our region. There is the Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait, and the Sharjah Academy of Arts.” He expressed his hope that scientific theory and methodology would prevail in the Qatari theatrical movement.Bashir pointed out that the art scene lacks a correct critical movement, explaining that over the years there has been no objective analytical criticism, especially in the Qatari press. Confirming that this absence harms the theatrical movement, as many playwrights built their artistic existence on illusion, not truth. He said that at the academic level there are no universities that teach dramatic artistic criticism, and that the literary criticism that is studied at Qatar University is different from applied artistic criticism.Jordanian critic Rashid Malhas said the Arab theatre, not just Qatari theatre, suffers from a text crisis. It is not the lack of texts but also their quality. Pointing out that during the DTF, a group of local texts were identified, the levels of which varied between excellent and acceptable. He described the Qatari theatre as “fine and in very good health and needing some vitamins to become excellent.”He also stressed the need to enhance the capabilities of playwrights, motivate writers and poets to write for the theatre, and to organise lectures and workshops related to playwriting, and to supply the theatre library with translations of international texts.Malhas called for opening dialogues between Qatari directors and theatre groups that would lead to the implementation of at least one work annually that unites everyone. Plus other dialogues and workshops between them and directors from Arab and foreign countries that might lead to applied experimental performances. This should go together with holding courses in sound and theatrical movement and musical appreciation for professional, novice and amateur actors, to promote their performing skills.He also stressed the need to work on the sustainability of the theatrical movement by implementing performances throughout the year that the theatre groups take turns performing.

Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU), in partnership with the University of Derby UK, held a graduation ceremony at the City Center Rotana Hotel, Doha, on Sunday in the presence of Ministry of Education and Higher Education Undersecretary HE Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Nuaimi, Katara general manager Prof Dr Khalid Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the University of Derby’s College of Business, Law and Social Sciences Prof Kamil Omoteso, ARIU executive dean Prof Ivan Ninov, dignitaries and academic staff.Prof Omoteso and Prof Ninov congratulated the graduates in their speeches and encouraged them to pursue their career with the best of the best of their knowledge and to be leaders and innovators in their fields.“This is our 21st graduation,” head of academic support Othman Sadoki told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the ceremony. “We have 50 graduating with BSc in International Business, BA in Tourism, BA in Hospitality, and we have graduates from the MBA programme.”“The BA is a four-year programme while the Master’s is one full year of studies with research,” he continued. “In the BA programme we have practical training in the first year and towards the end of the programme.”“Most of our graduates work in hospitality, tourism, and the finance sector,” Sadoki added. “We have also students working the banking and finance as well as others who work in managing events.”“In our 24 years of existence, we have had more than one thousand graduates,” he said.A number of graduates spoke to Gulf times.“It is amazing ... it has been four years of hard work,” said Mariem Ouertani, a BA (Hons) International Business graduate from Derby University. “My colleagues and our professors were the greatest support for us. We are so happy that we got to this point.”“I am just happy to be here today. The university focused on giving us a practical education,” she said. “They also helped us with placement, internships, and fellowships towards the end of the academic year.”“By the time you graduate, you are ready to be employed,” Ouertani said. “I am already an account manager in Espina IT Solutions. I started an internship with them last summer and now I am full-time employee.”“The four years flew by very quickly, I am already working for Zulal Wellness Resort in the north of Qatar,” said Jan Berend Hoogendoorn, a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management graduate. “I studied here because my family moved here for work.”“I am currently working with Audi Volkswagen, in the programming department,” said Akash Bose, a BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management graduate. “Hospitality is not limited to the hotel industry ... we are covered topics such as operation management and risk analysis.”“That helps us to work in the corporate sector as well,” he said. “It was an amazing experience at university, I made good friends with people hailing from 10 different countries.”“The support from our professors was amazing,” Bose added. “The best part about our university is the open door policy: we can approach our professors any time.”Marie-Emma Willemina Hoogendoorn, a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management graduate, said: “I have been here for four years, and I am doing a Master’s in Business at ARIU as well.”“I am really enjoying it,” she said. “I had to remain focused, make time for studies.”“It was hard but I really enjoyed it, Hoogendoorn added. “I am not working now – I have to finish writing my dissertation. When I finish in October, I will look for a job.”“The future is Doha, I really want to stay here,” she laughed.

Sicilian chef Claudio Trovato, a graduate in political science, has turned his passion for Italian cuisine into a recipe for success.In an interview to Gulf Times, Claudio Trovato said this has taken him on a career as a chef in Rome, France, Germany, Tunisia, Armenia, to name but a few countries where he worked. Currently, he is the general manager of Cucina Restaurant, at Marriott Marquis Doha.Claudio said: “I have been in Doha for seven years, I have been lucky to be here during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, it was a great privilege. The Italian cuisine has many combinations and influences from other countries including the Arab countries. For this reason the Italian cuisine – not because I am Italian – is the most complete cuisine."The variety of Italian regional cuisines allows me to mix the various ingredients from the north and the south to make a fusion cuisine, this is what makes it interesting. The Arab influence is very significant in our cuisine, especially in the sweet and sour dishes. For instance, we have the caponata, which is a mix of fresh vegetables and we add to them sugar, honey and other sweet ingredients to give the sweet and sour sensation, it is typically Arabic."We also use couscous from the North African countries, it is always in our menu, and this is a big Arab influence from our past history. We prepare our food in a different way from the Arab culture, because of the faster Italian lifestyle. When we prepare pasta with tomato sauce, we spend eight minutes to prepare the sauce, while in Arab countries they cook the tomato sauce for a longer time. The concept is the same but the lifestyle makes the difference for us.”Claudio added: “We receive many Qataris at Cucina, because many of them travel a lot to Italy and they become familiar with the Italian cuisine and come here to try their favourite dishes. I introduced some Arabic and some Qatari dishes in the very important Aleph hotel in Rome, which is part of our holding company. Qataris are well travelled, so they would like to feel at home even when they are abroad, hence the idea of introducing Arabic cuisine at Aleph Hotel.”On how he picked up the ideas of Arab dishes, Claudio said: “I have a collaboration with the Cooking Academy in Qatar, where I meet famous chefs who showed how to prepare Qatari food. However, in Cucina, people like our traditional dishes like lasagna, carbonara, the variety of Bolognaise sauce, the parmesana, pasta al Pomodoro in which the freshness of the ingredients and the cooking temperature make the difference, it is so simple but so difficult to prepare. We also have very special dishes with a personal touch and this is my mission in this restaurant, to give people the chance to try different dishes. I can cook fresh pasta a la minute, “Pasta Alfredo” it is homemade by myself, I cook it and I use only one ingredient i.e. parmesan, so the freshness of the dish makes it special. Another distinctive ingredient in our cuisine is that we use fresh extra virgin olive oil which gives the freshness of olives. I also appreciate the freshness of the local fish which I use in my cuisine, and you have a huge variety of choice in the market.”Claudio is also very active in the community, he said: “During my stay in Qatar, I did a lot of cooking shows - for instance during the last Doha International Book Fair. This facilitates the exchange of various cuisines and tastes for the consumers. Now in Doha we have an international cuisine including Cucina which is an international brand. Qatar Hospitality is making Doha a cosmopolitan capital, you find several cultures in a small place. Culture is very important because it is in the food, music and art, and that is why I am involved in some food exhibitions here in Qatar.”The restaurant delights its clients with food and at the same time spoils them with international music. Cucina singer Vitalia Dupliakina said: “I am a singer and my songs include Italian songs because we have a big Italian community here. We are mostly playing jazz, pop tunes and jazz arrangements, we have a saxophonist, Anna Radko with us. Our live band performs every day at the restaurant from 7pm, except Fridays and Sundays. On Tuesday, we start at 6pm it is promotion night.”

HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, honoured the winners at the conclusion of the 36th edition of the Doha Theater Festival (DTF), held this year under the theme, 'Let us make theater the mirror of our lives,' at the U Venue Theatre from May 25 to June 4.The closing ceremony witnessed an artistic performance about the most important stages in the history of Qatari theatre, in the presence of HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Minister of State and President of the Qatar National Library, and Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak al-Ali, assistant undersecretary, Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture.The play 'Between Two Hearts' won the best show award, produced by Msheireb Properties Company. The play also received awards for best writing by Talib al-Dous, best direction for Mohamad Youssef al-Mulla. In addition for best costumes, won by Lulwa, and best promising actor by Mohamad al-Mutawa. The play also won the award for best melodies and sound effects for Mohamad al-Mulla and Iyad Salsaa.The play 'The Spirit of the Fan' by the Qatar Theatre Company won a number of awards, including best actor for Faisal Rasheed, best actress for Asrar Mohamad, best lighting, and best decoration, both of which were won by Nasser Abdelreda.Mohamad al-Mulla, winner of the Best Director Award, said: "We thank the Ministry of Culture for its constant efforts in supporting the artistic movement in general and the theatrical movement in particular, as the 36th edition of the DTF was distinguished."Talib al-Dous, winner of the Best Writing Award, said: “The festival brought us back to the era of previous festivals and the joy of winning and pride in the artistic works that we presented alongside an elite group of Qatari and Gulf actors.”

The performance of the play 'Between Two Hearts', has been the last of ten performances presented at the 36th Doha Theater Festival (DTF) held under the theme “Let us make the Theatre the Mirror of Our Lives,” from May 25-June 4, at the U Venue Theatre.The DTF achieved a remarkable turnout.The play “Between Two Hearts” was produced by Msheireb Artistic Productions, written by Talib al-Dous, and directed by Mohamad Yousef al-Mulla.Talib al-Dous, the author of the work, confirmed that the play deals with the life of a leader who controls the village and its farmers, their livelihoods, enacts unjust laws for his interests and the interests of his brother, the merchant, and he also kills the farmer’s son. To save his son's life, the farmer revolts alone, demanding retribution.Regarding the message of the work, director Mohamed al-Mulla said: "Every scene is a play between two hearts that deals with one of the societal issues, whether they are local issues, global issues, and others related to the Arab world. At the same time, the author placed these issues in a sequential and unified dramatic form, pointing out that among the issues the play deals with, is the issue of land, Palestine, and the occupied territories, in addition to issues of social communication as well.He pointed out that the work is distinguished by the fact that each character has a specialised role, and each character deals with diversity and mobility. The playwright was keen to write it in an indirect way, so that it belongs to several countries and landmarks and it is not related to one world.Al-Mulla explained his keenness on diversity among the actors he attracted from various Gulf countries, with the aim of diversifying the Gulf culture in his work and the cultural exchange that adds to the festival and the director as well.A number of artists and guests from the Gulf and the Arab world visited the festival, and expressed their admiration for the Doha Theater Festival as well as the activities and theatrical performances that contributed to the discovery of new talents and faces.

The activities of the 36th edition of the Doha Theatre Festival (DTF), taking place from May 25 to June 4, continued with the comedy 'The Soul of the Late Lady' as part of the competing performances in the festival.The latest edition of the DTF is organised by the Ministry of Culture, under the theme 'Let us make the Theatre the Mirror of Our Lives'.The play, directed by Faisal Rashid, is taken from a text from the World Theatre titled 'The Spirit of Eleanora', by the late Russian playwright, Anatoly Lunacharsky, and directed by Khaled Khamis.The play, a comedy that is critical of superstition, tells the story of a contemporary charlatan who claims to be a sorceress, but fails in her attempt to convince anyone.Director Rashid, who adapted the international script for the local audience, noted that the play deals with issues of quackery and deceit.Actor Mohamad al-Sunni said: “My role in the comedy is that of a man who is searching for his late wife. So he resorts to someone who convinces him that she can bring back the wife’s soul, leading to a comedy of errors.”He stressed that this role was new for him.Now on its eighth day, the festival will present the play 'Sikka Bin Assi', written and directed by artist Saad Burshid, and produced by Al-Wakra Artistic Production Company.The play 'Mazyoun and Dhabiya', to be presented on June 3, is written by Hamad al-Rumaihi and directed by Ali Hassan.The play 'Between Two Hearts' will be performed on June 4, is written by Talib al-Dous and directed by Mohamad Youssef al-Mulla.The festival, which has been attracting hundreds of spectators, includes entertaining theatrical performances with many intellectual and artistic trends, in addition to seminars.