By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter


Cultural shows and art exhibitions at Katara – the Cultural Village continue to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Qatar and different countries from around the world, a senior official has said.
“Diplomatic relations is one of the highest level of interests that we have at Katara, it is a hub, and it is attracting enough number of people in each and every event,” stressed Darwish Ahmed al-Shaibani, director of the Marketing, International Relations and Cultural Affairs Department.
He was speaking at a press conference yesterday to announce the launch of the first Asean Festival in Qatar.
Al-Shaibani noted that the festivals and events they had organised have attracted huge number of spectators in the country and from abroad.
Katara had hosted events such as the African and Ecuador festivals, Chinese Cultural celebration, first Turkish festival, Korean Cultural Week, the Iranian Musical Evening, Gallery of the Traditional and Contemporary Arts in Uzbekistan, Moroccan Handicrafts Week, Palestinian Heritage Week, Scottish Day and the recently concluded Indian Cultural Week.
“It is no more a hassle to get people here, it is more of how to manage people in Katara,” he pointed out.
From 6.7mn visitors in 2013, the numbers increased to nearly 10mn last year, according to Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, director general of Cultural Village Foundation-Katara, as he expressed optimism that the numbers will increase this year.
Citing their good relations with embassies in Doha, he said Katara involves various sectors and communities in Qatar in festivals they organise.
“This relationship is witnessing development and growth in the field of culture. The (Asean) festival is an embodiment of the ingenuity and arts of seven Asean countries and the beauty, charm, and benefit they bring with them,” he added, referring to the upcoming festival at Katara.
Al-Sulaiti urged the public to attend and visit the three-day Asean festival which, he said, will provide an opportunity for them to learn about the cultures of other countries.