Yesterday evening, Saturday, the activities of the "Qatar-United States of America 2021" Year of Culture officially began in Doha.
The "Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra" and the Central Band of the US Air Force participated in the ceremony - which was hosted by Qatar Museums and the United States Embassy in Qatar. It was held at the Opera House of the Cultural Village Foundation "Katara".
The "Qatar-United States of America 2021" year of culture aims to enhance cultural and artistic exchange, "and the renewed commitment of the two countries to promoting mutual understanding and dialogue between cultures."
The ceremony was attended by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al-Ali, Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States Sheikh Meshaal bin Hamad Al Thani and Chargé d'Affairs of the US Embassy to Qatar Greta C. Holtz, marking the beginning of a new year. It is one of the joint cultural events between the two countries, which include many exhibitions, festivals and bilateral exchanges between the two sides, according to the Qatar News Agency.
The agency quoted the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani as saying, "The opening of events with music confirms that it is a universal language that speaks directly to the heart, and this is confirmed to us again through this inaugural concert of the Cultural Year (Qatar - USA 2021) Close cooperation between the two countries. "
Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture officially launched with a special concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the US Air Force Central Band, held at the Opera House of the Cultural Village Foundation / Katara /, hosted by Qatar Museums and the United States Embassy in Qatar.
#Qena pic.twitter.com/VDg1xlrMm2
- Qatar News Agency (@QatarNewsAgency) January 16, 2021
She expected that this cultural year would deepen "understanding between the peoples of our two countries by expressing our common humanity, and strengthening the already long-standing ties between Qatar and the United States."
In turn, Qatari Minister of Culture and Sports Saleh bin Ghanim Al-Ali said that such activities "play the role of raising the values of human dignity based on freedom, justice and acceptance of others regardless of their color, religion and ethnicity, and to enhance knowledge to be a continuous discovery."
As for the Chargé d'Affairs of the United States Embassy to Qatar, Greta C. Holtz said, "The Year of Culture program provides an exceptional framework in which our two countries can meet to celebrate our long-standing relationship and establish new relationships through communication between the two peoples."
Aisha Ghanem Al-Attiyah, Head of the Year of Culture at Qatar Museums, commented on the opening ceremony, saying, “This wonderful performance of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the US Air Force Central Orchestra gave us a preliminary idea of the richness and diversity of programs, exhibitions and events scheduled over the next 12 months, which will serve as a platform. For new dialogues and bilateral exchanges. "
It is noteworthy that Qatar Museums launched the Cultural Year Program in 2012, to start with the “Qatar-Japan 2012 cultural year, followed by Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, and Qatar - China 2016, “Qatar-Germany 2017,“ Qatar-Russia 2018, “Qatar-India 2019, and“ Qatar-France 2020.