The two-day outdoor event is part of a series of activities at the museum, which is expected to further draw footfall to one of Qatar’s attractive tourist and family destinations.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, MIA director Dr Julia Gonnella said the first edition of the ‘MIA Community Day Event’ witnessed “enormous exchange” between the participating countries.
“The event received an extremely positive reception from MIA Park visitors. We are offering a series of indoor and outdoor activities that continue to attract a large footfall to the museum and the park, which is regarded as one of the most popular destinations in Qatar,” said Gonnella, who added that MIA plans to make community day an annual event.
Various international cuisines were a crowd favourite. PICTURES: Ram Chand.
A series of cultural performances enthrall the crowd.
Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud, CEO and special adviser to the chairperson at Qatar Museums, watches a traditional board game.
A helicopter flew past the event venue with a giant portrait of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatar national flag.
More cultural performances.
Representatives from Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Tunis, Palestine, Morocco, Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, China, Kenya, Tanzania, the US, Canada, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Sudan shared their culture with visitors by showcasing traditional clothing, music, games, cuisine, and books, among others.
Aside from dances and other performances, visitors cheered as a large portrait of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari national flag was paraded several times in the area by a helicopter.
In an earlier statement, Qatar Museums said the event, which is held under the patronage of HE the chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is part of its commitment to promote understanding, recognition, and appreciation of different cultures, traditions, and people of Qatar.
QM said it believes that culture is one of the most effective tools for bringing people closer together, encouraging dialogue, and deepening understanding between people.
This is evident in its ‘Years of Culture’ initiative, which was developed and designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people through mutual exchanges of arts, culture, heritage, and sport, the statement continued.
Salem al-Aswad, deputy director, Learning & Outreach at MIA, added: “We’re proud to celebrate and recognise cultures from all over the world at MIA this weekend. It is wonderful to see individuals from all over the world come together to connect over music, books, children’s activities, and delicious food. We hope that visitors take this opportunity to experience and engage with the different cultures that are available right here in Doha.”
