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Qatar’s cultural diplomacy initiative, Years of Culture, has expanded far beyond traditional arts programming to remain relevant in a rapidly changing, increasingly interconnected world, a Years of Culture advisor said.His Excellency Mohammed al-Kuwari, Years of Culture Advisor on Latin American Affairs and Qatar's former ambassador to Mexico, told the Gulf Times that the initiative continues to focus on fostering understanding between societies through shared human experiences.Asked about the evolution of the initiative, al-Kuwari said Years of Culture has adapted by incorporating sectors such as sport, design, education, food and entrepreneurship into its programming, allowing it to engage audiences in more accessible and meaningful ways.“Years of Culture has evolved by expanding beyond traditional cultural programming into areas that reflect how people engage today. Its relevance comes from its ability to adapt while staying focused on its core purpose: building understanding and relationships between societies through shared experiences,” al-Kuwari said.Founded in 2012, Years of Culture was launched as a long-term cultural exchange initiative to strengthen ties between Qatar and partner nations through collaborative programmes spanning arts, heritage, education, and community engagement.Al-Kuwari said the initiative’s partnerships are often shaped by global events and moments of shared significance, creating natural opportunities for building a connection between countries.“In 2026, the FIFA World Cup provides that context, linking Qatar with Canada and Mexico through a shared sporting legacy (Qatar partnered with USA, the third co-host, for a Year of Culture in 2021). These moments allow cultural programmes to build on existing global conversations, making exchanges more relevant and impactful,” he said.This year’s partnership reflects how sport has become an increasingly important element of cultural diplomacy, complementing more traditional artistic and heritage-based exchanges.According to al-Kuwari, informal cultural interactions also play a vital role in strengthening diplomatic ties by creating opportunities for genuine human connections outside official settings.“Experiences such as sharing food, attending festivals, or participating in community events allow people to engage without barriers. These moments often build trust more naturally, which can strengthen relationships at every level, including diplomacy, business, and education,” he said.Al-Kuwari stressed that the success of cultural exchange programmes depends largely on active participation and meaningful engagement among participants. He said: “Impact comes from participation. Programmes that encourage people to engage directly through residencies, workshops, or educational exchanges create deeper connections”.“When individuals collaborate and spend purposeful time together, they form relationships that extend beyond the programme itself. This personal engagement is what turns cultural exchange into long-term friendships and partnerships,” he pointed out.While large-scale events remain important for visibility and outreach, al-Kuwari said smaller initiatives often leave a more lasting impact on participants and communities.“Community programmes, artist residencies, and educational exchanges allow for more personal interaction. Years of Culture intentionally combines both approaches — high-profile events to attract attention, and intimate experiences to build lasting relationships,” he said.He noted that culture has a unique ability to bridge geographical and ideological divides by connecting people through universally understood experiences.“Culture allows people to connect through shared human experiences such as music, food, storytelling, and sport,” al-Kuwari said. “These are universal languages that can transcend political or cultural differences.”“By creating spaces where people can engage openly, cultural initiatives help shift perspectives and encourage mutual understanding, even between societies that may seem very different,” he added.Beyond attendance figures and media coverage, al-Kuwari said the true success of Years of Culture is measured by the long-term relationships and collaborations that continue after each programme year concludes.“We look at what lasts. Success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about what continues after the programme year ends. That means real partnerships that keep going and relationships that turn into something long-term,” he added.Al-Kuwari pointed to several initiatives that continue to generate impact years after their launch, including the “Pearls: Jewels from the Sea” exhibition, which helped establish museum partnerships worldwide and now forms a key part of the National Museum of Qatar's collection.He highlighted the Doha Film Institute and its ongoing collaborations with filmmakers globally, as well as Jedariart, which he said has contributed to the growth of Doha’s street art scene and supported the careers of Qatari and Qatar-based artists. He added culinary initiatives and artist residencies continue to create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to collaborate and exchange ideas.According to al-Kuwari, the future of cultural diplomacy increasingly intersects with sectors beyond the arts, including innovation, sustainability, education, sport and the broader creative industries.“Culture touches everything, from how we learn and create, to how we build cities and connect with each other.“By working across these different sectors, cultural initiatives can open up more meaningful and practical collaborations, reaching people in different ways and creating impact that goes beyond traditional cultural spaces.”Inclusivity also remains a central principle of the initiative, with Years of Culture seeking to engage audiences from diverse backgrounds and age groups through a wide variety of programmes and formats, al-Kuwari said.“We offer a mix of formats, from large public festivals and exhibitions to youth programmes, workshops, and community-led initiatives. The idea is to make culture feel accessible and relevant. By engaging people in different ways, whether that’s through food, film, sport, or hands-on experiences, we become a part of people’s everyday life,” he said.Al-Kuwari stressed that the relationships formed through cultural exchange are distinguished by their organic and personal nature.“What we try to do is create natural, human connections through shared experiences by opening up more ways for people to connect across different parts of their lives,” he said.At a time when global uncertainty is growing, he said, cultural programmes can also help societies maintain dialogue and resilience: “In uncertain times, cultural programmes help keep things connected. They create space for people to keep talking, sharing, and engaging, even when other channels slow down or feel strained.”“By focusing on shared experiences and what people have in common, culture helps maintain relationships and a sense of continuity. That, in turn, builds resilience between countries and within communities,” he added.Al-Kuwari noted that Qatar’s next phase of cultural diplomacy will continue building on the country’s established cultural foundations while expanding partnerships and exploring new areas of collaboration.“It will continue to be guided by the vision His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has set out for our country and the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in supporting a thriving cultural scene in Qatar,” he said.“The focus will be on building on that foundation, deepening partnerships, expanding into new areas, and continuing to use culture as a way to connect with people in meaningful, lasting ways,” al-Kuwari said. 

The winter sports programme launched in Doha is strengthening cultural ties between Qatar and Canada, using sport to foster youth engagement, technical development, and long-term people-to-people connections. The winter sports development initiative launched in Doha is positioning sport as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, with Canada playing a central role in fostering grassroots engagement and technical expertise in Qatar. The programme, introduced as part of the Qatar–Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, marks the beginning of a year-round effort to expand participation in winter sports while strengthening ties between the two nations. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch event, Karim Morcos, ambassador of Canada highlighted the cultural significance of the initiative, describing winter sports as “so intertwined with Canadian identity”. “Well, first of all, so happy to be here, a showcase of winter sports... we’ve got curling, speed skating, and we’re very excited to have the game between Canada and Qatar, the hockey game,” he said, expressing enthusiasm for the growing collaboration. The event brought together Canadian and Qatari amateur teams for exhibition matches, alongside interactive activities aimed at introducing young participants to sports such as skating, curling, and ice hockey. Morcos underscored the importance of youth engagement, noting the strong turnout at the event. “We’ve got hundreds of kids here today. They’re all seeing and trying sports... which are growing sports here,” he said. “They’re fairly new, so I think the opportunities are huge for youth. The more they get exposed to this, the more they want to play.” The ambassador pointed to existing infrastructure as a key enabler for growth, adding that the foundations for winter sports in Qatar have been influenced by earlier international exposure. He referenced the connection to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, noting that inspiration for Qatar’s winter sports facilities stemmed from that experience, creating what he described as “a very special link... between Canada and Qatar”. Beyond infrastructure and competition, Morcos emphasised sport’s broader societal role. “Sports are a unifying force in any culture,” he said, sharing a personal reflection on identity. “My father immigrated to Canada, and hockey was a unifying force. It was a way to connect with Canadian identity.” He added that similar dynamics could emerge in Qatar over time. “I see hockey will come back here in five or 10 years... it will be a unifying factor for Qataris and Canadians,” he said, expressing confidence in the country’s potential to develop quickly in the sport. Addressing the wider significance of such initiatives, Morcos stressed their importance in today’s global context. “In these uncertain times, sports is what makes us human, what unifies us,” he said. “Coming together... it builds that spirit, particularly for young people, and it brings us all together around culture and sports.” Canada’s contribution extends beyond symbolic engagement to practical support in building technical capacity. Morcos noted that the Canadian community in Qatar has played a key role in developing the sport locally. “Canadians love to play hockey. They created an association... bringing Canadian hockey and culture and know-how to Qatar,” he said. He added that Canadian diplomats and community members are actively involved in coaching and mentoring, helping to lay the groundwork for a sustainable winter sports ecosystem. As the programme unfolds, the initiative signals a shift from one-off cultural events to long-term collaboration, with sport emerging as a shared platform for exchange, development, and connection between Qatar and Canada. 

The Argentine Embassy in Doha recently hosted its third edition of ‘Art, Fashion, and Cultural Diplomacy Exhibition’, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange as a key theme driving the relationship between Qatar and Argentina. Speaking to reporters at the event, Argentine ambassador Guillermo L Nicolas underlined the exhibition’s role in setting the stage for the ‘Qatar-Argentina Year of Culture 2025’, which features numerous events in Doha and Buenos Aires. He said the event aims to connect the traditions of both nations, showcasing elements such as intangible cultural heritage and artworks, including paintings created by several diplomats and their wives. Nicolas cited the recent exhibition of Latin-American art at the National Museum of Qatar as a successful precursor, describing it as “the gem of our cultural year.” The exhibition, which concluded on July 19, featured around 170 works by more than 100 pioneering and contemporary Latin American artists, including iconic pieces from Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Wifredo Lam, Fernando Botero, and Antonio Berni. He said that cultural exploration uncovered unexpected common ground, leading them to realise they are “much closer than we believe” through shared aspects like traditional garments, a love for horses, and the importance of family. The envoy pointed out that cultural diplomacy is a main element not only for showcasing national identity but also for improving international relations. He said it serves as the essential foundation for international relations, asserting it is the primary method to foster mutual understanding and to create a network through which political and economic ties can be successfully developed. He noted that despite the vast geographical distance, cultural comparison reveals deep similarities. According to Nicolas, the year-long initiative of Qatar Museums is designed to solidify the bond forged during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which saw an influx of approximately 45,000 Argentinian visitors. “We have an amazing connection between the two peoples during the World Cup,” he recounted, adding that the cultural initiative is “a good opportunity to continue this relation.” The envoy said such initiative aligns with Qatar’s vision of becoming a global cultural hub, an effort he lauded, noting Qatar’s “wonderful position in the cultural world.” He suggested that sports should be viewed as part of cultural tradition, as the Year of Culture facilitates the exchange of artistic expressions, allowing Qatari art to be showcased in Argentina and Argentinian culture to be displayed in Doha. Nicolas added that he sees the 2025 initiative as “just one more milestone” in the already strong political, economic, and trade relationship between the two countries.