Qatari cultural icons feature in Alaraby 2 'Eshroun' programme

Qatar has made an impression in the programme *Eshroun (Arabic for 20), broadcast on Alaraby 2, with notable participation that goes beyond the involvement of Qatari artistic and cultural figures in commentary and voting across the episodes.Several Qatari cultural landmarks and personalities were also selected among the best in the Arab world in categories including visual arts, theater, libraries, and archaeology.The Qatar National Library (QNL) stood out in the episode dedicated to the best Arab libraries, recognised as one of the region’s leading knowledge institutions due to its unique collection of books and manuscripts, and its pivotal role in promoting knowledge and supporting scientific research in Qatar and beyond.Additionally, the Al Zubarah archaeological site was included among the top Arab heritage landmarks, in recognition of its historical and cultural significance and its designation as a Unesco World Heritage Site.In the visual arts episode, artists Yousef Ahmad and Hassan al-Mulla were named among the top 20 Arab visual artists for their contributions that reflect Qatari identity and have enriched the Arab art scene.In the episode focused on theatre, the play *Umm al-Zein was featured for its relevance to the social transformations taking place in Qatar at the time of its performance.Alongside these recognitions, Qatari intellectuals and artists offered commentary during the episodes, including theatre critic Hassan Rashid, artist and critic Jamila al-Shereem, visual artist Hanadi al-Darwish, and writer and novelist Huda al-Nuaimi.A number of Qatari cultural and artistic figures participated in the voting for nominated works and individuals.These included Mohammed Yaqoub al-Yousef, Ibtisam al-Saffar, Abdullah al-Mulla, Moza al-Ishaq, and Mohammed al-Shahwani.The programme *Eshroun presents a list of the top 20 Arab icons in the fields of culture and the arts in each episode, based on votes from a select group of Arab critics and professionals.Hosted by media personality Maya El Hajj, the show airs every Sunday at 8pm on Alaraby 2, with all episodes available on demand through the "Alaraby Plus” app.