Moscow plans over 100 events for Qatar-Russia Year of Culture

Russiawill present more than 100 cultural programmes and exhibitions in Qatarto mark the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture which will be inaugurated onFebruary 24.In an interview with Gulf Times, Russian ambassadorNurmakhmad Kholov said such a cross-cultural year of Russia is beingheld for the first time in the Gulf countries. “We are pleased thatit was Qatar who initiated an idea to acquaint the Middle East withRussian culture. Most importantly, the heads of our states – HisHighness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Russian PresidentVladimir Putin fully support this project. In this context, I shouldnote the personal role played by Qatar’s former minister of culture,arts and heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari,” said ambassadorKholov. “The programmes for the upcoming Russia-Qatar Year ofCulture will please the Qatari audience and the guests with itsdiversity and all the activities have been in arranged in collaborationwith the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Qatar Museums, and KataraCultural Village,” noted Kholov. “We have designed a plan of eventsthat includes the entire diversity of Russian cultural heritage – fromfolk dances and popular crafts to the famous masterpieces of worldpaintings and historical relics. Russia will present to the Qataripublic the best exhibits of the leading Russian museums such as fromKremlin Museum, Tretyakov Gallery and Hermitage, performances by famousdance groups (Igor Moiseev’s State Ensemble of popular dance, dancegroup from Dagestan – Lezginka), Boris Eifman’s famous ballet from thecultural capital of Russia – St Petersburg, the Moscow Puppet Theatre bySergey Obraztsov among others,” explained Kholov.The Russian envoypointed out that the programme for the entire year is a huge one.“Russian culture is rich and diverse, so we have a lot of things to showto the Qatari audience. In the plan of cultural year, the Ministry ofCulture of Russia has included more than 100 events. That demonstratesthe great importance that we attach to the Year of Culture,” hehighlighted. The envoy said that Russia’s Minister of CultureVladimir Medinsky will take part in the opening ceremony on February 24.“Currently we are working on the programme of the visit of the officialdelegation from Russia to Doha. Within the framework of the opening ofthe Year of Culture, members of the Russian delegation will hold aseries of meetings with their Qatari partners – Qatar Museums, QatarFoundation and others. We are looking forward that HE the Minister ofCulture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, will take part inthe 6th International St. Petersburg Cultural Forum in November thisyear, where Qatar is granted the status of the main guest,” added theenvoy.