(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A large number of distinguished guests from Qatar and Turkey took part in a gala to celebrate Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahid Ali Al Hammadi, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik and other officials were present.
The event highlighted the strong relationship between both countries.
Held under the patronage of H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums (QM), Qatar Turkey 2015 is the fourth consecutive year of culture, following Qatar Japan 2012, Qatar UK 2013 and Qatar Brazil 2014.
It celebrates relations between Qatar and Turkey through cultural partnerships between Qatari and Turkish organisations, institutions and individuals.
The gala took participants into the heart of Turkish music. Singers, musicians and dancers took them to Istanbul, its palaces and mosques and Anatolian villages where moments of life were celebrated and joy and sadness, myths and legends expressed themselves music and dances.
They were part of a collective memory that builds on musical heritage to make future generations understand the depth and the richness of their culture.
The evening was a reflection of Turkey's cultural diversity, shaped by people, geography and history. Folk dances alternated with reflective and spiritual opuses played with the traditional flute, ney, along with more upbeat popular music.
An orchestra delighted the audience with traditional classical and popular music, artists Garip Ay and Ahmet Sula offered a feast for their eyes with Ebru art (marble painting) and calligraphy demonstrations.
Reflecting on the years of culture in general and Qatar Turkey 2015 in particular, Sheikha Al Mayassa said: "I'm excited and proud to celebrate the strong artistic heritage and links between Qatar and Turkey this year. Doing so will promote mutual understanding and strengthen our ties. It will also support and inspire the next generation of cultural audiences and ideas. I look forward to what promises to be an incredible year."
Celik said: "As minister of culture and tourism of Turkey, I am confident that these strong and powerful relations will be further strengthened in the field of culture and arts.
"Turkey and Qatar are keen to strengthen fraternal and brotherly relations by reticulating cultural nets. 2015 will improve recent political and economic relations in cultural dimension, and will be recalled as an important year for mutual recognition of our countries' cultural and artistic values."
ExxonMobil Qatar and QM share a long-term relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. The company is supporting the year as platinum sponsor as an important initiative, which will lead to a deeper international understanding of Qatar and its rich culture, and highlight it as a world-class centre for business and cultural activities.
The year is also supported by Qatar Airways as official airline, and W Hotel as hospitality sponsor.
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