Katara, British Council agree to boost cultural cooperation
Two new murals at Katara showcase the ability of sports to bring nations together
THE Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) and the British Council signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement with the aim of strengthening collaboration in cultural sector and in other areas of mutual interest.
During the ceremony held in Hall 32 at Katara, General Manager of Katara Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al Sulaiti expressed his happiness over the new partnership between Katara and the British Council, which aims to strengthen their alliance in cultural aspects and develop activities in areas of common interest.
He added, “I consider this partnership as a remarkable achievement intended to build ties of cultural and civilisational communication between the Qatar and the UK. It is also part of their determination to develop horizons of collaboration and promote common goals to lay a strong ground for cultural exchange. The agreement will facilitate joint strategic programmes, cultural events, exchange of visits and participation in festivals between the two countries, enabling Qatari citizens to join cultural and educational opportunities in the UK.”
CEO of the British Council Scott MacDonald said: “I hope this partnership will contribute to establishing and building sustainable cultural relations that will enhance Katara’s role in enriching the cultural and knowledge aspect, and promoting culture in all its forms, through events and activities based on activating cultural work and consolidating knowledge and openness to the world.”
Besides, Katara inaugurated two murals that represent the cooperation between Qatari artist Mona Al-Badr and Welsh artists Bryce Davies and Hannah McGarr, showing the impact of sport as a force for the good and to change lives for the better. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Katara general manager, HE Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Ambassador of Qatar to the United Kingdom, and Scott MacDonald, CEO of the British Council.
The first mural, titled ‘I am a person’, is in Building 47 at Katara and features elements from the Qatari and Welsh cultures, such as the national flowers. A football was drawn on the lower left of the mural by Yasmin Aktar and Sadok John, two young leaders from the UK-based charity Street Child United that works to amplify the voice of street-connected youth and help their campaign for change across various areas, such as identity, access to education and protection from violence. The mural also recognizes the ambition of Street Child United to obtain one million birth certificates for children living on the streets around the world between the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the World Cup 2026 hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA.
The second mural that was established in Building 23, titled ‘Together’ in Arabic, English and Welsh, symbolizes the importance of cultural exchange. Above All Together activists and the public had contributed to the drawing of the mural.
In the same vein, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim