Latest news with #YearsofCulture


Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Moroccan Embassy marks 26th Accession Anniversary of king of Morocco to Throne
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha The Embassy of Morocco in Qatar marked the 26th Accession Anniversary of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Throne in Doha on Wednesday. The event was attended by Minister of Labour HE Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi,Director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Ambassador Ibrahim bin Youssef Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Arab Affairs Department HE Ambwas attassador Nayef Abdullah Al-Siddiqi Al Emadi, Ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps HE Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, President Moroccan Community Qatar Hassan Obaid, ambassadors, defence attaches, and members of the Moroccan community. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Morocco to Qatar HE Mohamed Setri said Morocco and Qatar pursue a wise foreign policy based on clear principles, foremost among which are mediation, dialogue, consensus, the pursuit of political solutions to conflicts, and the rejection of any infringement on the sovereignty and national unity of States. He emphasised the depth of bilateral ties between the two countries, underscoring how the relationship has evolved across numerous sectors through mutual respect and high-level consultation. As an example of this solidarity, he recalled the immediate support expressed by HM King Mohammed VI in a phone call to The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the missile attack on Al Udeid base, denouncing the assault and expressing unwavering support for Qatar's security. Setri further expressed Morocco's appreciation for Qatar's steadfast position in support of Moroccan sovereignty over its Southern Provinces and the Sahara issue. He also pointed to the 'Years of Culture' initiative as a symbol of this strong partnership. In 2024, Morocco was honoured as the cultural partner of the year, with a range of successful events held in Qatar, including the 'Splendours of the Atlas' exhibition, the Moroccan Caftan Show, and the Tbourida equestrian performance. The ambassador noted Morocco's rising profile on the international stage, citing its accomplishments in tourism, automotive manufacturing, aviation, maritime logistics, and infrastructure development. He highlighted that in 2024, the country attracted 17.4 million tourists and retained its leadership in the African automotive and aerospace sectors as major infrastructure projects such as the Tangier-Marrakesh high-speed rail and expansion of port and airport capacities further reflect Morocco's ambitious development trajectory. Ambassador Setri expressed gratitude to members of the Moroccan community in Qatar for their contributions to the success of the Cultural Year and their role in deepening the fraternal bond between the both brotherly countries.


Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Museums to launch new Ceramic Residency Project in August
Building on the legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, Qatar Museums will launch a new Ceramic Residency Project, in collaboration with Liwan Design Studios and Labs, which will run from August 4 to September 7. Promoting cultural exchange and creative dialogue between Qatar and Indonesia, the Ceramic Residency will embody the spirit of friendship and artistic dialogue that the Years of Culture programme champions. By bringing communities together through craft and collaboration, the project will reinforce the enduring legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and its commitment to building connections that extend far beyond a single year. The programme will welcome renowned Indonesian ceramic artist Francisca, widely known as "Kika", who is recognized for blending contemporary forms with a strong sense of community. It will see Kika working side by side with local artists and craftspeople to develop a series of collaborative ceramic works inspired by the craft legacies of both Qatar and Indonesia. A core part of this new project is public engagement, with weekly Pottery Fun Classes welcoming community members to learn directly from Kika every Friday — on August 8, 15, 22, 29 and September 5. Participants will explore hand-building and pottery wheel techniques while contributing to the creation of works that celebrate the cultural connections at the heart of this residency. The residency will conclude with a group exhibition, celebrating the artworks created and the stories shared throughout this cultural exchange. Kika previously led the popular Indonesian Workshop Month in Qatar during the 2023 Year of Culture, where she invited participants to sculpt their own creations and discover new ceramic-making techniques. Her interactive, inclusive approach demystifies traditional craft and welcomes the public to connect with clay as a medium for storytelling and cultural exchange.


Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's YoC initiative extends Qatar-Indonesia cultural ties through Ceramic Residency
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar's Years of Culture initiative is set to build on the legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture (YoC) with the launch of a new Ceramic Residency Project, welcoming renowned Indonesian ceramic artist Francisca 'Kika' to Doha this August. Hosted in collaboration with Liwan Design Studios and Labs, the residency continues to promote cultural exchange and creative dialogue between Qatar and Indonesia, featuring the shared values of craftsmanship, community and artistic innovation. Running from August 4 to September 7, 2025, the programme will see Kika working side by side with local artists and craftspeople to develop a series of collaborative ceramic works inspired by the craft legacies of both Qatar and Indonesia. Francisca, widely known as Kika, is an Indonesian ceramicist recognised for blending contemporary forms with a strong sense of community. She previously led the popular Indonesian Workshop Month in Qatar during the 2023 Year of Culture, where she invited participants to sculpt their own creations and discover new ceramic-making techniques. Her interactive, inclusive approach demystifies traditional craft and welcomes the public to connect with clay as a medium for storytelling and cultural exchange. A core part of this new project is public engagement, with weekly Pottery Fun Classes welcoming community members to learn directly from Kika every Friday — on August 8, 15, 22, 29 and September 5. Participants will explore hand-building and pottery wheel techniques while contributing to the creation of works that celebrate the cultural connections at the heart of this residency. The Ceramic Residency embodies the spirit of friendship and artistic dialogue that the Years of Culture programme champions. By bringing communities together through craft and collaboration, the project reinforces the enduring legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and its commitment to building connections that extend far beyond a single year. The residency will conclude with a group exhibition, celebrating the artworks created and the stories shared throughout this cultural ceramic artist brings cross-cultural craft and community workshops to Doha


Qatar Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's envoy advocates cultural diplomacy in New Arab thought piece
Tribune News Network Doha As the international community concludes 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, HE Dr Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab, Qatar's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, shares a powerful opinion article in The New Arab, calling for deeper global investment in cultural diplomacy as a pathway to lasting peace. In the op-ed titled 'Qatar's Experience Shows World Peace Requires Cultural Diplomacy', Dr Al Hanzab reflects on the role of heritage in international cooperation, stressing that the preservation of cultural identity is not merely an act of remembrance but a blueprint for a more interconnected, resilient future. He writes, 'Protecting heritage is as much about securing a shared future as it is about preserving the past,' framing culture as a critical tool for multilateral dialogue and global solidarity. The article highlights Qatar's own contributions to cultural diplomacy, particularly through its Years of Culture initiative, which has brought meaningful engagement with countries such as France, Morocco, India and the United States through shared exhibitions, youth exchanges and entrepreneurial events. Dr Al Hanzab also points to Qatar's domestic efforts, including the 20th anniversary of Qatar Museums and the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar, as examples of how culture serves as a civic and international platform. Dr Al Hanzab concludes with a reminder rooted in UNESCO's founding vision: 'Peace must be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.'


Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Museums opens 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets' exhibition in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: Qatar Museums opened 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha', at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) in the People's Republic of China on Wednesday. On view from June 18 to October 6at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the exhibition is the first in Hong Kong to present such a comprehensive study of Islamic imperial carpets and the broader artistic exchanges that have taken place across regions for centuries. The exhibition is a legacy project of Qatar's Years of Culture initiative and one of the first major outcomes of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Qatar Museums and HKPM during the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit in 2024. It also represents the debut of many of these artefacts outside of Qatar. The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries and special guests from Qatar and Hong Kong, including Chairman of the HKPM Board Leo Kung; Consul General of the State of Qatar in Hong Kong Sheikha Noora Khalifa Al Thani; Director of the Museum of Islamic Art Shaika Nasser Al Nassr; Chairman of The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong Saeed Uddin; Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Betty Fung; and Museum Director of the HKPM Dr Louis Ng. Jointly organised by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the HKPM, the exhibition brings together 90 extraordinary objects, including carpets, manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, and jades, primarily drawn from the collections of MIA, with significant loans from the Palace Museum in Beijing and the HKPM. Wonders of Imperial Carpets traces the cross-cultural exchanges that flourished across the Safavid dynasty, Mughal dynasty, Ottoman dynasty and China between the 16th and 18th centuries, shaped by diplomacy, migration, and global trade networks. Regarding the exhibition, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of Islamic Art Dr Mounia Chekhab Abudaya said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the criteria upon which the pieces and collectibles were selected for the 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets' exhibition were inspired by the concept of Islamic and Chinese cultures. They are rare pieces of metal objects and ceramics, most of which are from the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, and they are the result of cooperation between the two museums. She added the pieces and collectibles were selected jointly in cooperation with the team that came to Qatar from Hong Kong, in an agreed-upon manner, and were not randomly selected at the last minute. Museum Director of the HKPM Dr Louis Ng told QNA that the 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets' exhibition is a testament to the enduring cultural dialogue between the Islamic world and China, embodied by the insightful partnership between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. He continued by saying that they are proud to provide audiences in Hong Kong and around the world with the opportunity to explore this shared heritage through exquisite artifacts, immersive technologies, and multilingual narratives. This collaboration highlights the HKPM's commitment to building bridges between civilizations and fostering mutual appreciation. Through this landmark collaboration, MIA reaffirms its mission to preserve, study, and share the splendour of Islamic art across time and geography. Wonders of Imperial Carpets offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistic excellence of Islamic dynasties and to reflect on the deep historical connections between cultures. By bringing these masterpieces to new audiences, MIA continues to nurture cross-cultural understanding and highlight the enduring relevance of Islamic artistic heritage on the global stage.