Qatar Museums (QM) has highlighted the success of the Qatar China Year of Culture with its series of past and ongoing exhibitions, and upcoming cultural events.
“Such celebrations help strengthen and enhance cultural relationships and mutual understanding between the two countries,” QM’s public and international relations director Mohamed al-Othman told a press conference on Wednesday.
“The Year of Culture also helps build upon the long, shared history of cultural and diplomatic relations between Qatar and China through arts and culture,” he explained.
The “Chinese Festival” and a Qatar China 2016 photography exhibition, both scheduled in November, will wrap up the celebration this year, al-Othman added.
QM also cited ongoing exhibitions such as the Treasures of China at MIA’s special exhibitions gallery on the ground floor, which features the famous Terracotta warriors from the First Emperor’s terracotta army.
The exhibition features 101 pieces dating from the Neolithic period to the Qing dynasty, spanning over 5,000 years of China’s history.
Following its “exceptional success” as part of the Qatar Japan, Qatar UK, Qatar Brazil and Qatar Turkey Years of Culture, the official said they opened last week the “Pearls: Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers” exhibition organised jointly by QM and the National Museum of China.
The exhibition reveals the history of the use of pearls over 2,000 years, an important part of Qatar’s economic and cultural history and includes 130 rare pieces from the QM collection.
Past Qatar China Year of Culture exhibitions had also fascinated and inspired many visitors such as “What About the Art?”, a showcase of contemporary Chinese artists curated by internationally acclaimed New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang.
“The ‘Silks from the Silk Road – Chinese Silk Art’ exhibition, held at the QM Gallery at Katara, was a fantastic exhibition that reflected the rich artistry of Chinese silk in terms of art, techniques and fashion design over thousands of years,” al-Othman noted.
Following previous partnerships with Japan (2012), UK (2013), Brazil (2014) and Turkey (2015), the Years of Culture are now in their fifth edition with China (2016) and QM looks forward to partnering with Germany in 2017.
The Years of Culture, organised by QM (chaired by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani), are intended to use art and culture to foster improved mutual understanding and build bridges between cultures.