Interviews in the coulisses of the Festival

A: The life of Doha Cultural Festival is relatively short compared to that of other international festivals, nevertheless Doha Festival realized great objectives in this lifetime. The distinction of Doha Cultural Festival in comparison to similar international festivals stands in the global aspect of its programs. The events express the culture and heritage of the State of Qatar in addition to other Arab and world events. The Festival events are indeed so widely open and so openly global that this gathering could be in the future one of the most significant international events. The State of Qatar under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar provided all the material and human resources with the objective of promoting this Festival at the international level.
 

Q: Your Excellency Mr. Chairman, you said in the past that you want the Festival to be diverse, as Qatar fulfillments are diverse too. Where are the similarities between them ?
 

A: The State of Qatar is living under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Emir, a quick and advanced renaissance on all levels and in all sectors. This appreciated renaissance requires a parallel development of our cultural and artistic means, so that they express and report this progress. The National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage has an important role to play in safeguarding the national identity with all its components and in all its forms, making thus sure that it doesn’t dissolve and disappear in the paths of this progress. The Qatari citizen is the real capital of the advancement and prosperity of the country, he is the axis of its development. If we are to preserve the balance between the identity of our citizen and the material development, we have to create mechanisms and tools that implement that balance. This is one of the main missions of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage.
 

Q: Your Excellency Mr. Chairman, We noted that children have an important share in the Festival events. To which extent do you believe that the Festival events serve the Qatari children in particular and the Arab and foreign children living in Qatar, more generally.
 

A: Children constitute generally the future of any nation. The State of Qatar dedicated many sectors to serve the children and take care of them; be it in the scientific, health, or social sides. The State promulgated laws to protect youth, and children have a significant place in the plans, projects and events of NCCAH. The National Council publishes specialized publications, organizes artistic exhibitions, literary contests, and dedicates to children many events in the cultural festivals organized by NCCAH. There are indeed local and international theater plays, movies, visual and figurative arts… The heritage exhibitions in particular aim to connect children with their history and their national and Islamic heritage, since said heritage has social values we have to preserve. In addition to that, we work to implement common projects with institutions concerned with children in Qatar and abroad.