With the participation of HE Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, Assistant Foreign Minister of Qatar, the Qatar-Menasa 2022 Year of Culture was officially inaugurated at an opening ceremony held on the evening of March 3.
The event welcomed leaders from the nation and dignitaries representing countries from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia to an evening of music, film and cuisine, held in the courtyard of the Fire Station, Qatar Museums said in a statement.
The celebration extended into the following day, March 4, when members of the public were also invited to attend Doha Film Institute film screenings and musical performances by renowned Qatari composer, singer and songwriter Dana Alfardan and others.
The two-day opening event was hosted by Qatar Museums, marking the beginning of a year of specially curated museum and art exhibitions; film, music and food festivals; and other cultural exchanges taking place between Qatar and other nations across the Menasa region.
Qatar introduced its Year of Culture initiative in 2012 under the leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, partnering each year with a different nation for a series of cultural exchanges designed to bring the world to Qatar and the best of Qatar to the world.
On the 10th anniversary of the initiative, in anticipation of welcoming the globe for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is partnering with countries and communities from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Welcoming the guests to the opening ceremony, HE AlKhater said: "This year, our people will have the opportunity to strengthen their bonds in a deeper and more meaningful way, through a series of exhibitions, performances, festivals and cultural exchanges. I believe the Qatar-Menasa 2022 Year of Culture will showcase the culmination of a long and significant history of initiatives created by the Qatari people, while acting as the cornerstone for a new and important phase in Menasa’s cultural understanding.”
Aisha Ghanem al-Attiya, director of Cultural Diplomacy at Qatar Museums, said: “This wonderful evening is just a sampling of what is to come in the months ahead, as everyone opens their eyes, ears, hearts and minds to one another through a host of specially curated exhibitions, performances, festivals and cultural exchanges. Presented in-person in Qatar and virtually throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia regions, the events of this extraordinary Year of Culture celebrate the heritage and innovations that we share throughout the Menasa region.”
The opening ceremony featured musical performances curated by Dana Alfardan. In addition to performing her own compositions, she brought to guests the music of Tunisian vocal star Mehdi Ayiachi, the world-renowned MAqam Ensemble, master percussionist George Oro, and students in the Arab Percussion Ensemble of the Qatar Music Academy.
Throughout the evening, guests were invited to view a programme of short films from Qatar and the Menasa region developed with the support of Doha Film Institute.
The cuisine for the evening commenced with an appetiser by award-winning Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi, followed by flavours from areas across the Menasa region.
The event welcomed leaders from the nation and dignitaries representing countries from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia to an evening of music, film and cuisine, held in the courtyard of the Fire Station, Qatar Museums said in a statement.
Dana Alfardan at the opening ceremony
The celebration extended into the following day, March 4, when members of the public were also invited to attend Doha Film Institute film screenings and musical performances by renowned Qatari composer, singer and songwriter Dana Alfardan and others.
The two-day opening event was hosted by Qatar Museums, marking the beginning of a year of specially curated museum and art exhibitions; film, music and food festivals; and other cultural exchanges taking place between Qatar and other nations across the Menasa region.
Fatima Abdulla al-Maadeed from Qatar Museums
Qatar introduced its Year of Culture initiative in 2012 under the leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, partnering each year with a different nation for a series of cultural exchanges designed to bring the world to Qatar and the best of Qatar to the world.
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performing for dignitaries and guests
On the 10th anniversary of the initiative, in anticipation of welcoming the globe for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is partnering with countries and communities from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Dignitaries attending the event
Welcoming the guests to the opening ceremony, HE AlKhater said: "This year, our people will have the opportunity to strengthen their bonds in a deeper and more meaningful way, through a series of exhibitions, performances, festivals and cultural exchanges. I believe the Qatar-Menasa 2022 Year of Culture will showcase the culmination of a long and significant history of initiatives created by the Qatari people, while acting as the cornerstone for a new and important phase in Menasa’s cultural understanding.”
A view of the gatherting
Aisha Ghanem al-Attiya, director of Cultural Diplomacy at Qatar Museums, said: “This wonderful evening is just a sampling of what is to come in the months ahead, as everyone opens their eyes, ears, hearts and minds to one another through a host of specially curated exhibitions, performances, festivals and cultural exchanges. Presented in-person in Qatar and virtually throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia regions, the events of this extraordinary Year of Culture celebrate the heritage and innovations that we share throughout the Menasa region.”
A view of the venue, the Fire Station
The opening ceremony featured musical performances curated by Dana Alfardan. In addition to performing her own compositions, she brought to guests the music of Tunisian vocal star Mehdi Ayiachi, the world-renowned MAqam Ensemble, master percussionist George Oro, and students in the Arab Percussion Ensemble of the Qatar Music Academy.
Throughout the evening, guests were invited to view a programme of short films from Qatar and the Menasa region developed with the support of Doha Film Institute.
The cuisine for the evening commenced with an appetiser by award-winning Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi, followed by flavours from areas across the Menasa region.