Katara has been bustling with art works and exhibitions in Qatar for a long time. The cultural village has been attracting numerous artists and their works from across the world bringing in diversified creativity from different nations.
The recent installation of a copper sculpture named ‘Friendship’ at the courtyard of Building 48 at Katara underlines how powerful and lasting an expression of bilateral ties can be through a work of art. The unique sculpture depicts the fusion of the Cuban national bird, the Tocororo, and the Qatari falcon as symbol of the historical friendship of both countries.
The sculpture, unveiled recently, is appreciated and liked by visitors to Katara as it shows the two fascinating birds in one box. Cuban ambassador Eumelio Caballero Rodriguez and Katara general manager Dr Khalid Ibrahim al-Sulaiti formally inaugurated the installation of the sculpture in presence of numerous art lovers and members of diplomatic community.
The ‘Friendship’ sculpture is the creation of Julio Reinaldo Zamora Daniel, Cuban craftsman, artist, sculptor, ceramist, engraver and painter. The artist graduated from Provincial School of Art of Matanzas in 1985. He has so far taken part in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Cuba. The sculptor has also won many accolades and awards for his creative and novel ideas.
“I am amazed by his idea and the art work. We just shared with him our idea that we wanted to have an art piece highlighting the strong friendship between Qatar and Cuba. He came up with the idea of having the fusion of a falcon and the Tocororo,” said ambassador Eumelio while talking to Gulf Times.
The ambassador further said the idea of having the art piece started about a year ago. “It all started a year ago. The artist took about six months to complete the sculpture. We wanted to have the art piece as a sculpture. The artist made the design and sent it to the embassy in Doha as a model. We really liked the design. We then handed it over to the artistic committee of Katara. They too liked the project.”
In response to a question related to the artist, the Cuban ambassador, said: “The artist was supposed to attend the inaugural ceremony but he could not come due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Actually, we received the sculpture in Doha before the coronavirus outbreak. The installation was delayed due to the pandemic and the lockdown.”
Highlighting the symbolic value of the art work, the ambassador said: “I told my wife that it is a gift from an outgoing Cuban ambassador. We may leave the country but the sculpture will stay here forever reminding our friends about us and portraying the strong friendship between Qatar and Cuba.
“With this simple artistic work, but full of sentiment and national values, we wanted to perpetuate in this beautiful Katara place a symbol that would remind the peoples of Qatar and Cuba and future generations of the close and fraternal friendship that late Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, forged between our two countries many years ago.”
The sculpture, unveiled recently, is appreciated and liked by visitors to Katara as it shows the two fascinating birds in one box. Cuban ambassador Eumelio Caballero Rodriguez and Katara general manager Dr Khalid Ibrahim al-Sulaiti formally inaugurated the installation of the sculpture in presence of numerous art lovers and members of diplomatic community.
The ‘Friendship’ sculpture is the creation of Julio Reinaldo Zamora Daniel, Cuban craftsman, artist, sculptor, ceramist, engraver and painter. The artist graduated from Provincial School of Art of Matanzas in 1985. He has so far taken part in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Cuba. The sculptor has also won many accolades and awards for his creative and novel ideas.
“I am amazed by his idea and the art work. We just shared with him our idea that we wanted to have an art piece highlighting the strong friendship between Qatar and Cuba. He came up with the idea of having the fusion of a falcon and the Tocororo,” said ambassador Eumelio while talking to Gulf Times.
The ambassador further said the idea of having the art piece started about a year ago. “It all started a year ago. The artist took about six months to complete the sculpture. We wanted to have the art piece as a sculpture. The artist made the design and sent it to the embassy in Doha as a model. We really liked the design. We then handed it over to the artistic committee of Katara. They too liked the project.”
In response to a question related to the artist, the Cuban ambassador, said: “The artist was supposed to attend the inaugural ceremony but he could not come due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Actually, we received the sculpture in Doha before the coronavirus outbreak. The installation was delayed due to the pandemic and the lockdown.”
Highlighting the symbolic value of the art work, the ambassador said: “I told my wife that it is a gift from an outgoing Cuban ambassador. We may leave the country but the sculpture will stay here forever reminding our friends about us and portraying the strong friendship between Qatar and Cuba.
“With this simple artistic work, but full of sentiment and national values, we wanted to perpetuate in this beautiful Katara place a symbol that would remind the peoples of Qatar and Cuba and future generations of the close and fraternal friendship that late Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, forged between our two countries many years ago.”
