São Paulo – A delegation comprised of 18 musicians, cooks, artisans and artists from Qatar will show the typical culture of the Gulf country to Villa Lobos Park goers, in the West side of São Paulo, from September 18th to 21st.
During the “Qatari Week SP” a tent styled like those used by desert dwellers will be erected. The tent will host concerts by a traditional Qatari band, as well as serve as a “kitchen” where the two chefs will prepare typical Qatari dishes. The same space will also host an exhibition of pictures by four photographers: two Brazilians who went on an exchange with two Qataris. The images show their impressions of the countries they visited.
In addition to these attractions, an artisan will craft pieces live, a calligrapher will write names and words in Arabic and an artist will paint children with henna. The schedule also includes workshops and reenactments of rituals such as Qatari wedding ceremonies.
The “Qatari Week SP” is part of the “Qatar-Brazil Year of Culture” which is being held this year and features several actions to promote the cultures of both countries. According to the head of the 2014 Qatar-Brazil Year of Culture, Rafah Barakat, this is the first time the Qatar Museums Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage promote such an event in São Paulo.
“Our goal is to show Qatari popular culture in Brazil. São Paulo is a very large and very important city, and we want the population to learn more about Qatar,” Barakat told ANBA.
This, however, is not the first time the Gulf country has promoted events in partnership with other countries. Japan in 2012 and the United Kingdom in 2013 hosted Qatari cultural attractions and exhibits. In the next few years, the Arab country will organize similar events with Germany, China, Russia and India. “We want the world to see Qatar as a country with a rich culture, not only a major gas producer and exporter,” said the event organiser.
Service:
Qatari Week SP
From September 18th to 21st 2014
Venue: Villa Lobos Park, Avenida Professor Fonseca Rodrigues, 2001 – Alto de Pinheiros – São Paulo
Activities are free of charge
For further information, please access http://www.qatarbrazil2014.com/en
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
