Minister highlights Qatar’s diversity and multiculturalism at forum

Qatar’s cultural activities continued for the second day during its participation in the seventh St Petersburg International Cultural Forum in Russia.
The State of Qatar is the guest of honour at this forum for the first time and it is within the context of the Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture during which many joint events will be held throughout the year in order to strengthen the future partnership and ties between the two countries and their peoples.
On the second day, there was a ministerial session entitled, “Unified Cultural Space, Truth or Myth”, which was addressed by HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali together with other speakers, including the Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky and the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Alberto Bonisoli.
HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali said Qatar, like other countries, has a unique culture and that all its individuals believe in the value of diversity and multiculturalism, pointing out that there are more than 150 nationalities in the State of Qatar, which reflect the culture of co-existence among nations.
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert, which was held on Thursday at the St Petersburg forum under the theme “28 different cultures, one tune”, reflected the cultural diversity and contributed to the creation of a single cultural edifice representing common values and one human civilisation.
He pointed out that the issue of cultural diversity in the State of Qatar is not a slogan but a reality that is being promoted, adding that the State of Qatar is hosting the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, which contributes to building dialogue among different civilisations and cultures, and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, which is an example of promoting knowledge and cultures through its global universities and colleges, where more than 3,000 students from different cultures are working to deepen mutual understanding.
HE al-Ali also referred to the Modern Art Expo organised by Qatar at the forum where artists’ participations in the exhibition brought together Qataris and residents alike.
A visitor to Qatar Museums or the Cultural Village – Katara understands the value of culture in the country as it opens the horizons of knowledge and brings people closer, he said.
As for the activities of the Doha Film Institute (DFI), he stressed the importance of cultural exchange among artists in the world, adding that the DFI also provided an opportunity to exchange cultures among all film professionals around the world to produce and showcase their films at the Ajyal Film Festival.
The minister also said that Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and added that this event is a cultural challenge and pointing out that Russia has already hosted this event and overcome this challenge due to its recognition of the value of cultural diversity.
This is reflected in the seventh International Cultural Forum in the city of St Petersburg.
He said Qatar is seeking to make 2022 World Cup, a venue that unites people by cultures by dealing with the thousands of fans coming to the country from different countries and different cultures, which will create a public space for cultural dialogue among all peoples, as it promotes peace in the region, the Middle East and in the world.
Concluding, the minister thanked the forum’s organisers for providing a valuable opportunity to the State of Qatar and the countries of the world, adding the forum’s sessions and meetings are the best way for communication and convergence of civilisations. During the session, the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities praised the speech of the HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, especially in respect of the fact that all peoples have different cultures and that cultural diversity increases communication between them and that culture is a channel of communication and a means of discussion and communication among different peoples.
The Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky greatly admired the Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture, pointing out that despite the cultural differences between Qatar and Russia, it contributed largely to the rapprochement between the two countries.
Medinsky cited the concert of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra as the best example, adding that the concert embodied through the national anthem of the State of Qatar the highest meanings of common cultures when the Qatari artist Fahd al-Kubaisi combined the Arabic and Russian languages, as well as in one of the Qatari national songs which combined both Arabic and Russian alphabets.
Through this, he gave an example of understanding and friendly rapprochement among peoples, he said. The concert of the Qatari Philharmonic Orchestra was held last night for the first time in Russia as part of the Qatari activities in the St Petersburg International Cultural Forum entitled “28 different cultures, one tune.” 
Th concert was performed by German Elias Grandi, who was appointed Director-General of the Heidelberg Orchestra, along with famous Qatari singer and human rights activist Fahd al-Kubaisi. Qatari composers Dana Alfardan, Nasser Sahim, Wael Binali, and Fahad al-Kubaisi performed classical compositions with a unique twist.
The concert also featured the national anthem of the State of Qatar in an atmosphere of interaction from the Qatari and Russian audiences with  Qatari artist Fahd al-Kubaisi, in particular impressing the audience combining Arabic and Russian in his performance.
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, performs and promotes Western and Arabic music in order to inspire the children and adults of Qatar and the Arab world to create and enjoy music.