Katara Public Diplomacy Center concludes the Extravaganza of European Languages, forecasting Portugal as the final EU delegation event.

Doha, Qatar – June 21st 2023: Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC), in collaboration with The European Union (EU) Delegation and the Embassy of Portugal in Qatar hosted the final EU delegation event highlighting the Portuguese language. The six-week event showcased the beauty and diversity of languages of the European Union.

The Portuguese Ambassador expressed his gratitude to Katara for hosting this remarkable event, highlighting its educational and promotional significance in spreading the Portuguese language and showcasing Portuguese culture. Fado music, a beloved emblem of Portuguese heritage, added a touch of enchantment to the evening.

Professor Ana Silva from Hamad Bin Khalifa University captivated the audience with a visual presentation, underscoring the unique position of the Portuguese language in the world and its deep connection to Arabic. Through linguistic exploration, she revealed the interwoven threads between Arabic and Portuguese cultures, demonstrating the rich Arabic influence on the Portuguese vocabulary.

The event featured cultural segments that delighted attendees. Conversations in Portuguese, involving a young participant, brought joy and warmth to the gathering. Cultural questions in Portuguese engaged the audience, while diverse musical performances transported them on a melodic journey.

The European Language activities were a collaborative effort between Katara Public Diplomacy Center, the European Union Delegation in Doha, and the embassies of Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. Each country had its dedicated week to showcase their linguistic and cultural heritage through workshops and lectures.

Through these activities, KPDC aimed to create a platform that bridges cultures, fostering understanding and appreciation for the linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe. Languages were celebrated as powerful tools of communication and unity, promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. This remarkable event serves as a testament to Katara’s commitment to promoting cultural and educational initiatives. By hosting such celebrations, Katara invites the world to embark on a journey of discovery, embracing the vibrant tapestry of languages and cultures that enrich our global community.

EU Delegation and Katara Public Diplomacy Center Unite for an Enthralling Event Celebrating the “Italian – Language of Music”

Doha, Qatar – June 13th 2023: Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC), in collaboration with The European Union (EU) Delegation and the Italian Embassy in Qatar proudly presented a remarkable event titled “Italian – Language of Music”. This event was entirely dedicated to exploring the historical relationship between the Italian language and music, emphasising how Italian has evolved into a universal tool for understanding the artistic realm of music.

The event was hosted by a trio of esteemed Maestros – David Riccardo, a Opera Singer; Giovanni Pasini, the First Viola and Director at the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra; and Alessio Mastrodonato, a talented Pianist. Together, they orchestrated an exquisite program that encompassed captivating conversations, awe-inspiring live performances, and interactive elements, spanning a wide range of musical eras from the Renaissance to contemporary times.

Among the event’s many highlights was the live demonstration of Italian words corresponding to music. The audience witnessed a unique presentation of different Italian words through live music performances accompanied by corresponding words displayed on the screen. For instance, when the word “Adagio,” meaning slowly, appeared on the screen, the live music played at a leisurely pace, capturing the essence of the word. Similarly, when the word “forte,” signifying loudness, was showcased, the volume of the live music amplified, effectively demonstrating the meaning behind the word.

The attendees were enthralled by the realisation that Italian serves as a universal language of music, transcending cultural boundaries and enabling musicians, singers, and amateurs worldwide to embrace Dante’s language in their artistic endeavours. A particularly captivating moment during the event was when the entire audience joyously sang along to the timeless classic “Volare” by the Gypsy Kings, further exemplifying the unifying power of music and the Italian language.

Ambassador Paolo Toschi eloquently summarised the essence of the event, stating, “Our artists are really ambassadors of the language, whether they are singing or playing instruments, they are a testimony of our language evolving and what it means to be Italian”

Unlocking the Melodies of Greece: Katara Public Diplomacy Center Hosts the Greek Language Event in Qatar

Doha, Qatar – June 11th, 2023 – Katara Public Diplomacy Center, in collaboration with the European Union Delegation and the Greek Embassy in Qatar, successfully hosted the Greek Language Event, promoting the Greek language and fostering stronger ties between Greece and Qatar. The event aimed to showcase the rich history, language, and traditions of Greece while highlighting the interactions between the Greek and Arabic languages.

One of the main highlights of the event was the insightful lecture given by the Senior Linguistics Professor, Eirini Theodoropoulou from the Qatar University. The professor engaged the audience with fascinating facts about the Greek language, exploring different variations, Greek inscriptions, and the evolution of the language throughout history. She covered various aspects, including Ancient Greek dialects, Hellenistic Greek, Medieval Greek, and Modern Greek. The audience was captivated by her knowledge and expertise.

Professor Theodoropoulou also shed light on the influence of Greek on the Arabic language, discussing loan words from Greek that have made their way into Arabic vocabulary. To further illustrate the linguistic and cultural parallels between Greek and Arabic, three Qatari students shared proverbs and similarities they had discovered between ancient Greek and Arabic. This interactive session created an engaging atmosphere and fostered a deeper appreciation for the shared heritage between the two cultures.

As the event drew to a close, attendees were treated to a mesmerising musical performance by a talented singer and pianist. The highlight of the performance was the trio of H.E. Ambassador of Greece joined by the linguistics professor and singer in a joyful performance. The Greek Delegations Event was a resounding success in promoting cultural exchange and celebrating the longstanding connections between Greece and Qatar. The collaboration between the Katara Public Diplomacy Center, the European Union Delegation, and the Greek Embassy showcased the commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

EU Delegation Event Showcases the Richness of the Swedish Language and Culture in QatarDoha, Qatar – June 6, 2023 – Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC) in collaboration with the European Union Delegation and The Swedish Embassy in Qatar, held an event to celebrate the Swedish language as part of the EU’s Language activity series. The event, hosted by Ambassador Gautam Bhattacharyya, brought together important guests, including ambassadors and representatives from EU member countries.

Ambassador Bhattacharyya emphasized the importance of Sweden’s National Day and its role as a leader in education and innovation. His Excellency proudly mentioned the famous Swedish brands such as Spotify, IKEA, and Volvo, which have made a strong global impact. “Independence is everything in Sweden,” Ambassador Bhattacharyya explained how this mindset has led to Sweden having the second-largest number of startups in the world.

The event also included a brief language class where attendees had the chance to learn basics of the Swedish language. Ambassador Bhattacharyya added some humor by saying, “If you go to IKEA, you’ll learn all of these,” referring to the Swedish words commonly used in the popular furniture retailer.

Guest Qatari speaker, Ms. Alanood Aljalahma shared her personal experience of growing up in Sweden speaking fondly of Hälleforsnäs, a village in Sweden known as the “Qatari village” due to its significant population of Qatari residents. Aljalahma praised the accepting nature of Swedish society and highlighted the multiculturalism in Stockholm, emphasizing the importance of placing children at the center of attention and celebrating their individuality.

Overall, the event showcased the unique aspects of Swedish culture, language and the country’s commitment to fostering independence and entrepreneurial spirit.

The 11th Katara International Dhow Festival which coincided with FIFA Arab Cup 2021 concluded at the beachfront esplanade of Katara Cultural Village on Saturday with special celebration and festivities of the Qatar National Day.

This year’s edition of the Festival which began on November 30, lasted a fortnight-long attracting visitors from around the world being more educating and yet very enjoyable and entertaining. It saw the participation of nine countries — Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Greece, India, Zanzibar and Turkey besides hosts Qatar.

The history of dhow boat-making, the legacy of the sea, deep-sea diving, the pearl and the livelihood around it in the olden days, the arms used in the past their importance, the trade and the changing times of the Gulf region and the pacific were all highlighted with fine aspects.

The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival has established its position as a prominent destination for heritage, culture and tourism, reinforcing its role in preserving the authentic marine heritage and the customs and traditions of the ancestral past.

The 11th edition presented a vibrant picture of Qatar’s glorious past and the events included a rich bouquet of artistic cultural activities and traditional performances highlighting the nation and its wise leadership, that has instilled the values of loyalty and belonging to Qatar’s history and civilizational achievements.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Professor Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, on the occasion of Qatar National Day, extended his warmest congratulations and blessings to His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and to the Qatari people, and everyone who resides on the land of Qatar, wishing continued security, glory and prosperity under the wise leadership of HH the Amir of the country.

Dr. Sulaiti stressed that the celebration of the National Day, which came under the slogan “The grandparents’ farms are a trust”, dedicated the loyalty of the Qatari people to the legacy of their forefathers in preserving the state’s immunity, success and supremacy. He said that Katara was a distinguished destination for everyone throughout this period to learn about the rich Qatari culture in its various details, including the maritime heritage.

The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival presented a lively heritage painting in which the peoples of the region and the world participated with us, in addition to the various accompanying cultural activities and events.

For our beloved country to embrace the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, where we were keen to present offers and cultural events from the various Arab countries participating in the tournament. Our goal is to be in harmony with the state’s policy that seeks Arab reunification and achieve the message of the cultural district based on humanitarian foundations that stems from our pride of our Arab identity. Noting that these events extended to various parts of the cultural district which were presented to different age groups and attracted everyone from citizens, residents, guests of the state and to its tourists.

Pointing out that it confirms the importance of culture in supporting the efforts of the state and its internal and external policy based on the foundations of human building and building bridges of communication between different cultures and peoples.

He said: “We are pleased with the success that we have achieved, which was evident in the beautiful and wonderful interaction by Katara visitors of different nationalities and cultures, and their interest in various shows and activities.”

HE Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the entities, institutions and centers that have been cooperating with them to advance their activities in Katara.

He noted that this confirms the stature Katara Cultural Village enjoys, thanks to its importance to the public and also thanks to its various facilities and high-quality services that contribute to the success of its various shows and events.

This year’s Festival saw the introduction of the ‘Al Nahma’ art and singing competition which was the most prominent competition where Al-Nahham Ali Nasser Al-Haddad (Qatar) and Al-Nahham Saleh won the first place. Dashti (Iraq), and Al-Nahham Wathiq Falah Al-Nassar (Iraq) and Al-Nahham won the second place while Ali bin Haider (Kuwait) and Al-Nahham Faisal Muhammad Rafi (Qatar) took the third place and Al-Nahham Muhammad Abdul-Samad (Iraq) won the fourth place. The fifth place was bagged by Al-Nahham Jihad Al-Nassar (Iraq).

For his part, researcher Faisal Ibrahim Al-Tamimi, head of the jury in the Nahma Art competition, said: “The competitions were characterized by the healthy rivalry between competitors and were highly enjoyed by the audiences on all days.

The participants are from Iraq, especially since this art is limited to the countries bordering the Gulf

Of Al Arabiya, in which Al-Fajri arts flourished, such as Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia, explaining that Al-Nahham’s success depends on his proficiency in the art of Al-Nahma according to the vocal layers.

Al-Tamimi expressed his happiness with the success achieved each year by the Katara Dhow Festival stressing that it embodies through its cultural and heritage activities and accompanying artistic activities including Katara’s initiative in preserving the marine heritage and reviving the art of Al Nahma.

The final weekend of the Festival saw large number of visitors, especially families that enjoyed the various exhibitions, the Arda dance, traditional song and dance culture of Oman and other participating nations. Children in particular were delighted to see puppetry cultural displays and live fishing net-making and pearl-related activities.

The exhibition “Faces of Freedom” by the artist Jean-Claude Logagneur was inaugurated at the Cultural Village Foundation Katara, in cooperation with the Embassy of Haiti in the State of Qatar.  The opening was attended by Mr. Saif Saad Saeed Al-Dosari, Director of Human Resources Department at Katara and the H.E. Mr. Francois Guillaume II Ambassador of Haiti to state of Qatar, and several ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in addition to artists.

The exhibition takes place in Building 47 Gallery 2, presenting 22paintings that reflect the vision of others, showing how contemporary artists, expertise, excellence, participation, and production can be of advantage as part of today’s globalized world. The selected works offer a reflection on individual and shared histories, cultural characteristics, and colonial legacies, as well as the idiosyncrasies that shape understanding culture and identity today.

On this occasion, His Excellency Mr. Francois Guillaume II expressed his gratitude to the Cultural Village Katara for this opportunity to present the culture of Haiti, he also stressed that culture is the best conduit to an effective public diplomacy strategy, as it mends people’s apprehensions and misunderstandings about each other.

The Cultural Village Foundation Katara aims through these exhibitions to achieve its mission of building strong ties between nations, enriching the cultural scene in Qatar and opening windows to learn about different cultures from all over the world.

The exhibition continues until December 5 from 10 am to 9 pm, in Building 47, Exhibition No. 2.