São Paulo – In 2014, the Year of Qatar in Brazil, several events promoting Arab culture will take place. The initiative was announced last Wednesday (18th) in Brasília, in the presence of government officials from the two countries.
“The actions designed to publicize Qatari culture in friendly countries is an initiative of sheikha Maysa Bint Hamad Al Thani, chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority. She is spearheading this initiative for building bridges with other cultures,” says Mohamed Alhayki, the Qatari ambassador in Brasília.
Brazil is the third country selected to host a Qatari cultural year. The actions began in 2012, in Japan, and continued this year in the United Kingdom. “It was a great success, and we have decided to extend it to Brazil,” says Alhayki.
The activities due in the country include music concerts, film festivals and Qatari sports presentations. “And the flagship event: an exhibit of natural pearls in São Paulo,” says the ambassador. He explains that prior to the discovery of oil in his country, the local economy was based around pearl trade. Thus being, next year, Brazilians will be able to see some of the jewels that were once the backbone of the Gulf country’s economy.
The actions of the Year of Qatar in Brazil will take place in several cities, including Brasília, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and João Pessoa. The activities will be sponsored by the Brazilian ministries of Sports and Culture. The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations was responsible for negotiations leading up to the event.
The program was announced last Wednesday, during celebrations of December 18th, the Qatar National Day. On the occasion, addresses were given by ambassador Alhayki and the Qatar Museums Authority delegate Rafah Barakat. The political undersecretary general for Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of External Relations, ambassador Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, represented the Brazilian government at the event.
On January 27th, 2014, the Year of Qatar in Brazil will be launched officially at Doha’s Islamic Arts Museum. “I believe it will be a major event,” says Alhayki about the cultural year. “Sports and culture are among the main bridges to bringing two countries together and establishing closer ties,” he says.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
