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The Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) has returned to Rabat, upholding the cultural and diplomatic bond forged between Qatar and Morocco during the successful 2024 Year of Culture (YoC) initiative. In a statement, Qatar’s ambassador to Morocco HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani said: “The Years of Culture initiative was never about a single moment, but about creating exchanges that continue to live on.” “Seeing that spirit carried forward through the Longines Global Champions Tour reminds us how sport can keep cultural connections alive long after the official celebrations end,” he said. Jan Tops, founder and president of the Longines Global Champions Tour, said: “What began as a collaboration under the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture has grown into an enduring connection, reminding us that horses have long been a bridge between people, traditions, and continents.” This year’s event marked the 15th leg of the 2025 Tour, held just before the Riyadh finale. The world’s top 30 riders competed in one of the most striking venues on the circuit, framed by the Hassan Tower, the Rabat Grand Theatre, and the Mohammed VI Tower, landmarks that embody the city’s harmony between tradition and modernity.

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture, has commemorated the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Held in collaboration with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and the Unesco Regional Office in Doha, the day was celebrated with a series of activities with HE the Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, and HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed AlKhater, in attendance. The events in Doha underscore the nation's enduring commitment to protecting its intangible heritage and drew a record turnout from enthusiasts, researchers, academics, and students. HE AlKhater inaugurated the heritage photo exhibition, capturing with depth and aesthetic beauty the elements of intangible cultural heritage in Qatar through a curated selection of photographs documenting traditional crafts, performing arts, and social occasions. An artistic exhibition exclusively devoted to school students was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, showcasing artworks inspired by Qatari intangible heritage, demonstrating the new generation's awareness of their heritage and innovation in expressing it in contemporary methods. The exhibition included the participation of Qatar Leadership Academy, a member of Qatar Foundation, and several schools, including Qatar Primary School for Girls, Qatar Secondary School, Umm Hani Primary School for Girls, which contributed with the segment "Girl of Qatar," and Voltaire Qatari-French School. HE Director of Heritage and Identity at the Ministry of Culture, Sheikha Najla Faisal al-Thani, highlighted the profound importance of intangible cultural heritage as the vibrant identity of nations and the memory of generations. This year's celebration represents an opportunity to renew national and global obligations to safeguard this invaluable legacy and ensure its transmission to future generations, as intangible heritage is a fundamental factor in promoting cultural diversity and mutual understanding, she noted. HE Sheikha Najla further indicated that Qatar gives foremost priority to protecting its intangible cultural heritage as a core pillar of national identity and the mirror of Qatari society's spirit. She noted that the ministry executed several projects to inventory and document the components of Qatari heritage in collaboration with national institutions and the local community, including folk arts, traditional crafts, and literature. The ministry also affirmed its commitment to supporting artisans and folk artists through festivals and training workshops that contribute to imparting skills across generations and advancing them in ways that serve the national cultural economy. On the global stage, HE Sheikha Najla highlighted that Qatar actively engaged in Unesco initiatives and registered several of its heritage elements, including falconry, majlis gatherings, Arabic coffee, the palm tree, and henna, in partnership with Gulf and Arab nations, emphasising the unity of heritage and the interwoven roots of culture in the region. She stressed that safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is a shared responsibility that contributes to fostering national identity and the nation's standing on the global cultural stage. HE Sheikha Najla further affirmed Qatar's enduring commitment to protecting Qatari heritage in all its components and transmitting it to future generations in a renewed manner that keeps pace with the times while preserving authenticity. Senior cultural expert at the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, Dr Khalid Rashid al-Balushi, told Qatar News Agency that the committee serves as the key link between global, regional, and national entities, particularly in the cultural domain, unifying national efforts. He highlighted the close partnership with the Ministry of Culture in registering several intangible cultural heritage elements with Unesco, notably falconry, Arabic coffee, and henna. Qatar currently leads important Arab heritage files, such as the bisht and sambuq (traditional sailing boats), while continuing efforts to prepare additional files for registration, he noted. For his part, Director of the Unesco Regional Office in Doha for the Gulf States and Yemen, Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, said this celebration honours the living traditions, expressions, and practices that define the region's societal identity and connect generations. He noted that these cultural elements face increasing challenges today due to rapid urban expansion and weak intergenerational transmission. Qatar actively participates in this celebration, represented by the Ministry of Culture and the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, through a series of events at the UN House in Doha, in collaboration with key partners such as the Art, Fashion, and Cultural Diplomacy Group and the College of Education at Qatar University, Khaled noted. Khaled further added that the UN House hosts, until Octo 23, the fourth Art, Fashion, and Cultural Diplomacy Exhibition, featuring 22 participants showcasing over 120 artworks, along with selected pieces from the Ministry of Culture and a dedicated corner for creative products by students of QU's Fine Arts Education Department, reinterpreting Qatari heritage in contemporary forms.

Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's leading institution for art and culture, is thrilled to announce a landmark initiative to restore two of Qatar's most beloved cultural landmarks: the Qatar National Theater and the Doha Club. Celebrated for their role in shaping the country's cultural and civic life, these iconic venues hold a special place in the memories of generations. QM invited the public — whether as performers, audiences, or supporters — to share their memories, archival photos, memorabilia, or recordings. These contributions will help bring these stories to life in future exhibitions and digital archives, ensuring that the spirit of both spaces continues to inspire for generations to come. Since its opening in 1982, the Qatar National Theater has stood as a cultural landmark on Doha's Corniche. It is now being restored and modernized to once again serve as a hub for culture, creativity, and community. This national landmark will honour Qatari heritage while introducing new, state-of-the-art facilities, welcoming artists and audiences from Qatar and around the world. A space for performance and dialogue, it will continue to reflect the country's vision of connecting tradition with innovation. Constructed in the late 1970s, Doha Club was one of Qatar's first modern social and recreational venues and embodied the nation's early steps into modernization and cosmopolitan life. It hosted social gatherings, cultural exchanges, as well as diplomatic and sports events. With its pool, tennis courts, restaurants, and distinctive architecture, the Club was a beloved landmark for both Qataris and expatriates until its demolition in 2007. Now the Doha Club is set for revival as a space for community and cultural exchange for future generations.

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture (MoC), took part Tuesday in the preparatory meeting of the General Cultural Committee of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), held under the chairmanship of Kuwait.This meeting is a precursor to the gathering of the undersecretaries of culture ministries in GCC member states, scheduled to convene ahead of the 29th session of GCC ministers of culture, set to take place tomorrow.The Qatar delegation to the preparatory meeting was led by the MoC’s director of the Department of Culture and Arts Abdulrahman Abdullah al-Dulaimi.The meeting featured a comprehensive review of the agenda, which included 14 items spanning various domains of culture, arts, and heritage, aimed at strengthening joint cultural co-operation.

The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has been awarded the European Certificate of Excellence (Two-Star Level) by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) following its successful completion of a comprehensive institutional assessment based on the latest EFQM 2025 Excellence Model.The MoC is the first ministry in Qatar – and the first cultural ministry in the Gulf region and the Middle East – to receive this recognition under the new EFQM 2025 model.This milestone, an official statement said Monday, reflects the ministry’s commitment to institutional excellence and reinforces its leadership in promoting a culture of quality and innovation within the public sector.The ministry attributed this achievement to its strategic response to the findings of its initial performance report, issued by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau as part of the inaugural Qatar Government Excellence Award.That report, the statement said, served as a catalyst for the ministry’s institutional development strategy.The MoC expressed deep appreciation for the substantial support provided by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau through training programmes and capacity-building initiatives, which it said played a pivotal role in enhancing institutional readiness and achieving this distinguished international recognition.This certification represents a strategic step forward in aligning institutional performance with global best practices.It also underscores the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of cultural services in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, contributing to the development of a vibrant cultural sector that safeguards national identity and supports sustainable development.

HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani met with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, on the sidelines of Qatar's participation as Guest of Honor at the Baku International Book Fair, held from October 1st to 7th, in the capital, Baku.During the meeting, the two sides discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries in cultural fields and ways to support and develop them.HE Sheikh Abdulrahman affirmed that Qatari-Azerbaijani cultural relations are strong and promising, considering Qatar's participation as Guest of Honor in the exhibition as a reflection of the great importance of cooperation between the two countries following the Qatar Culture Days in Azerbaijan, held from April 10th to 13th.For his part, the Azerbaijani Cultural Minister praised Qatar's valuable and rich participation in the exhibition, which greatly reflects the features of Qatari culture, affirming that this highlights the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Ministry of Culture offered a unique experience for visitors to the Baghdad International Book Fair through the ‘Reading Guide’ service available at its pavilion. The service aims to guide readers in choosing appropriate books that align with their interests, providing them with a unique and enriching cultural experience.The ‘Reading Guide’ service is one of the initiatives launched by the ministry, enabling visitors to identify their interests and reading preferences, then suggesting the most appropriate books. The questionnaire also provides detailed information about book prices and the publishing houses responsible for them, facilitating visitors’ search and purchasing at the fair and saving them time and effort in discovering new titles. In this context, the fair’s audience praised the ministry’s efforts, affirming their continued follow-up of all its initiatives through social media. They considered the ‘Reading Guide’ service to be one of the most impressive initiatives at the exhibition, particularly the ability to use a questionnaire that guides readers step by step toward precise choices tailored to their level of interest, making their experience at the exhibition easier and more enjoyable.

Fifteen calligraphers from around the world are competing in the finals of the international competition for Arabic calligraphy, the 'Ethics Award', organised by the Ministry of Culture, being held from September 1-8 in Doha. The finalists, selected from among more than 250 participants, will face a sophisticated artistic challenge for prizes totaling nearly half a million Qatari riyals.This event at the Rosewood Hotel in Doha, reflects the Ministry of Culture's vision of promoting Arab and Islamic arts and highlighting the aesthetic and ethical values of Arabic calligraphy.A group of leading calligraphers and experts are to oversee the judging process, ensuring evaluation according to the highest artistic standards. The competitions are accompanied by a diverse programme that includes specialized seminars and interactive workshops, allowing attendees to explore the various international art schools in this field.This enriches Arabic calligraphers, introduces them to the most prominent trends in the local cultural scene, and opens up broader horizons for communication between creative artists. The event is to conclude with a grand ceremony held in the theatre of the new Ministry of Culture building, during which the winners will be honoured and their creations showcased to the public. This celebration reflects the status of Arabic calligraphy in the hearts of generations and emphasizes its role as one of the most important components of the cultural and artistic identity of the Arab and Islamic nation.

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