Over 6 000 visitors attended the Russia Culture Days in QatarThe events took place from 11 to 13 February in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar.
Russia Culture Days took place at one of the emirate’s largest cultural heritage sites – the Darb Al Saai cluster.
The event was officially opened by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova and the Minister of Culture of the State of Quatar A. Al Thani. Among the honored guests at the opening ceremony were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the State of Qatar Dmitry Dogadkin, ambassadors of friendly countries, and the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan Irada Ayupova.
Olga Lyubimova emphasized:
“The history of cultural exchange between our countries is built on mutual respect, a caring attitude toward spiritual values, traditions, and a shared desire to preserve our unique heritage.” Dmitry Dogadkin noted that “exchanges of delegations, people-to-people exchanges, and humanitarian contacts are growing. Every year, more and more Qataris are visiting Russia. And thus, last year, approximately 100,000 Russians visited Qatar.”
The State Order of Friendship of Peoples Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Tatarstan, the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of Dagestan Lezginka, the State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of Kalmykia Tyulpan (Tulip), and the Moscow Folk Choir performed at the grand opening on 11 February. These ensembles also presented solo programs throughout the three days of the project.
In addition to concerts, the extensive program of events included master classes on Russian folk crafts: Khokhloma wood painting, Semyonov wood painting, Abashev toys, Gzhel porcelain painting, jewelry making with engraving elements, and batik (fabric painting) from the Association of Folk Arts and Crafts of Russia. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan presented master classes by Kazan artisans in leather mosaic, weaving, satin-ribbon embroidery, calligraphy, and felting, while Russian craftsmen from the Russian diaspora in Qatar presented master classes on jewelry making with charm elements, painting Qatari-style matryoshka dolls, and gingerbread painting. In total, approximately 150 master classes for children and adults were held over the three days.
The exhibitional part of the project featured a display of traditional Russian costumes from Sergey Glebushkin collection, and an exhibition titled Patchwork Mosaic of Russia, which offered guided tours with a special musical accompaniment. A special fitting area was open for visitors who wished to try on traditional Russian costumes. Qataris were also offered an opportunity to taste traditional Russian cuisine, fragrant tea, and national sweets.
During her working visit to Qatar, the head of the Russian Ministry of Culture also met with the Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar, Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The minister invited the Qatari colleagues to the Intermuseum International Festival in May, the St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures in September, and talented children from Qatar were invited to the International Children’s Cultural Forum, which will be held in Moscow at the end of August.
Olga Lyubimova also invited partners to participate in the opening of the Year Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World as part of the project’s program in May on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum, as well as in the Congress of Ministers of Culture of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Furthermore, the head of the Russian Ministry of Culture stated that the Russian side eagerly anticipates holding a reciprocal Qatar Culture Days in Russia in 2027 and proposed a large-scale program of events for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which will be celebrated in 2028.
Russia Culture Days in Qatar were held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Organizer – Federal State Budgetary Cultural Institution ROSCONCERT.