Katara hosts forum on ‘cultural industries’

Katara-the Cultural Village organised an international conference on ‘Encouraging dialogue and diversity through cultural industries’, bringing together craft industry representatives from different countries.
Speaking at the event, Katara’s marketing and communications head Darwish Ahmed said that their efforts in enhancing the values of dialogue and cultural diversity through crafts and handicraft professions are highly appreciated.
“The output of your distinguished meeting will be regarded as a valuable reference in our bid to protect creativity, upgrade skills and boost talent; to have a better engagement in the cultural development plan,” he noted.
Katara has prioritised all issues and themes linked to the deeply-rooted traditions and national cultural heritage, according to Ahmed.
He said they are strongly determined to shoulder the responsibility of preserving the legacy left by their forefathers from neglect, forgetfulness and extinction.
“Katara’s journey to revive this great legacy of the past has witnessed us hosting, organising and staging dozens of unique cultural activities and events,” Ahmad added.
“Katara gained an international reputation as a key cultural-focused powerhouse and we have offered all sorts of constant support to the people working in the cultural industries, crafts and handicrafts sector,” he pointed out.
The event was also attended by Unesco representative in the Gulf, Dr Anna Paolini, secretary-general of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in Qatar, Dr Hamda al-Sulaiti, and representatives of diplomatic missions in Doha.
“It’s not only a conference. We are celebrating a full year of activities that the three partners have been doing since January 2016,” Dr Paolini said. “The cultural diversity festival was first launched in January 2016 and lasted until May 2016.”
The festival enthralled Katara visitors with the participation of performers and singers from 21 countries that showcased their traditions and heritage from all over the world, representing four continents.
“This conference marks the end of the programme and it is focusing in particular on how the craft industries can contribute to cultural identity while boosting the economy,” she added.