Qatar Museums has announced the opening of ‘Cultures, From Different Angles’, a photography exhibition showcasing the best works from Qatari and Chinese photographers.

The exhibition is being held in Building 19, Katara – the Cultural Village, until November 30.

The exhibition is a “unique visual interpretation” of this year’s Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture, an initiative run under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, which seeks to promote cultural dialogue that builds bridges between the two nations, Qatar Museums has said in a press statement.

In collaboration with the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and the Ministry of Culture in China, ‘Cultures, From Different Angles’ presents the works of four Chinese and two Qatari photographers, who travelled to each other’s countries on a two-week expedition to understand and visually communicate a way of life different from their own.

On a journey of discovery, Qatari photographers Ahmed al-Khulaifi and Saeed al-Marri travelled from the vast grasslands of northern China to the Li river famous for cormorant fishing, a tradition dating back 1,300 years in which fishermen use trained aquatic birds to fish in rivers. During their trip, they captured their experiences of Chinese culture and traditions through their lenses, engaging in an exchange of artistic discovery.

At the same time, Chinese photographers Bao Lixia, Huang Zuxiang, Liu Zhining and Xu Xinrong travelled across Qatar to experience Qatar’s vast desert landscapes, Doha’s cityscapes and architecture and Qatar’s deep traditions, customs and hospitality.

“The exhibition showcases the spectacular photographs taken during their respective journeys,” the statement notes.

Mohammed al-Othman, public and international relations director at Qatar Museums, said: “This exhibition perfectly encapsulates the core values of the Years of Culture initiative in promoting mutual understanding between both Qatar and China.”

This is the third photography exhibition held in Qatar as part of the Years of Culture initiative. During the trips, photographers are encouraged to interact with locals, learn from them and document their experiences via social media.

Every year, Qatar Museums runs the ‘Years of Culture’ initiative, which is designed to explore and celebrate cultural similarities and differences and deepen understanding between nations and their people through mutual exchanges of arts, culture, heritage and sport.

Qatar Airways is the official airline sponsor of the 'Years of Culture' initiative, while the Shangri La Hotel group is the official hospitality sponsor for the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture.

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