Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture to foster mutual understanding
The Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture is intended to enhance cultural and artistic exchange and exemplifies the renewed commitment of the two nations to foster mutual understanding and promote intercultural dialogue.
Qatar Museums (QM), under the leadership of its Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, had announced on Monday that the US will be the official partner nation for the 2021 Year of Culture.
A co-operative agreement was signed in this regard between Qatar and the US during the third 2020 Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington, DC.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said in a statement yesterday that the specially curated 2021 Year of Culture will feature a wide-ranging programme of exhibitions, festivals, bilateral exchanges, and events to be held in both countries.
“We inaugurated the Year of Culture programme in celebrating Qatar’s successful bid to host the World Cup in 2022. We started our programme in 2012 celebrating QatarJapan’s 40 years of bilateral relations. We continued to celebrate cities hosting the World Cup, with Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018”.
“The year-long programme celebrates two nations and the diversity of its people and cultures. Qatar will host the next World Cup in 2022 and the US will bring the next version to its grounds in 2026,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said.
“Culture goes beyond the arts, it’s a measure of lifestyle that extends to all areas of life. We celebrate culture, sports, business, education, music and much more. I look forward to working on building on the existing strong relationship between our nations, and explore new opportunities together,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa added.
Aisha al-Attiya, head of Years of Culture at QM, said: “The Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture promises to be one of exceptional artistic experiences and bilateral interactions. Over the months to come, we look forward to announcing details of the extraordinary programme, which will include artist exchanges, world-class exhibitions, concerts and events in Qatar and the US.”
The Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture builds on friendly diplomatic relations that were first established in 1972. Since that time, Qatar-US relations have continuously grown at multiple levels: political, military, economic, health, cultural, and educational.
The Qatar-US relationship is built on trust. It is a relationship that demonstrably serves the interests of both nations as well as the greater good of global and regional peace.
QM has developed the “Years of Culture” initiative — an annual international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people. Though the formal programming lasts only one year, the initiative often sparks longlasting collaboration.
Culture is one of the most effective tools to bring people closer, encourage dialogue, and deepen understanding between nations. Previous Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, QatarBrazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany
2017, Qatar-Russia 2018, Qatar-India 2019 and QatarFrance 2020.
Qatar -US 2021 Year of Culture, sponsored by Qatar Airways, is being planned in collaboration with leading institutions in Qatar and the US, including QM, the embassy of Qatar in USA, the US embassy in Qatar, Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and Sport, Qatar Foundation, The National Tourism Council, Doha Film Institute, Qatar National Library, Katara, Supreme Council for Delivery & Legacy and Qatar Football Association.