His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture, and His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Fouad Heno, Minister of Culture of the Arab Republic of Egypt, inaugurated the Egyptian Cultural Week in Qatar this evening at the permanent headquarters of Darb Al-Saai in Umm Salal. The event is part of efforts to enhance bilateral cultural cooperation between Qatar and Egypt.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al-Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs, along with several ambassadors, officials, and a large audience. Attendees had the opportunity to explore various aspects of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage through the diverse activities on display.
In this context, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdullah Al-Dulaimi, Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, stated that the Egyptian Cultural Week is part of the ministry’s annual cultural event program in collaboration with brotherly and friendly nations. The initiative aims to strengthen cultural relations and introduce audiences to the heritage and traditions of different countries. He highlighted the great diversity within the event, which highlights Egyptian handicrafts, traditional attire, visual arts, music, and performing arts.
He added that cultural weeks are a key initiative supervised by the Ministry of Culture, focusing on cultural diplomacy as a means of strengthening ties between nations. These events provide significant opportunities for cultural exchange, especially with cultures that intersect and share similarities with Qatari heritage. He explained that the cultural week offers a rich blend of activities that reflect the guest country’s culture within Qatar.
The first day of the event (Tuesday) featured traditional puppet performances such as Aragoz, Tanoura dance shows, and a concert by the National Arab Music Ensemble, accompanied by renowned artist Mohamed Tharwat, on the main stage. Tomorrow’s program includes the debut performance of the Cairo Puppet Theater’s famous play “El Leila El Kebira”, a musical concert by the National Ensemble featuring Munshid Mahmoud Tehami, along with a screening of a classic film and children’s competitions.
The Egyptian Cultural Week features a variety of activities that highlight the richness and diversity of Egypt’s cultural heritage. The event runs from today until January 31, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, with the participation of a high-level official delegation and a select group of artisans and specialists in the fields of arts and heritage.
The event aims to introduce the Qatari audience to the various aspects of Egyptian culture, promote intercultural dialogue, encourage artistic and cultural exchanges among creators from different countries, and highlight both local and international cultural and artistic heritage. It also seeks to support local and global talents in the cultural and artistic fields.
The Egyptian Cultural Week offers a unique cultural experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to engage with Egypt’s rich heritage through daily artistic and theatrical performances, as well as exhibitions showcasing visual arts and traditional crafts.