Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed has called for partnership with Katara in promoting Nigerian culture in the Middle East country.
During a courtesy visit to the General Manager/Chairman of Kiahf Committee of Katara Cultural Foundation, Prof. Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti on Sunday, Ambassador Ahmed told his Qatari host that the Nigerian mission would partner with the Foundation in promoting Nigerian culture in Qatar.
He said the Nigerian mission would explore the possibility of inviting public and private artists and art galleries in Nigeria to bring their talent and wares to Doha for cultural events and exhibitions in Katara Cultural Village.
Ambassador Ahmed briefed Al Sulaiti about Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, explaining that the country of about 250 distinct ethnic groups and different linguistic and cultural orientation is culturally rich culture, which is expressed through annual traditional festivals featuring carnivals, boat rides, fishing, dances, songs, horse riding, and masquerades.
The Nigerian envoy was taken on a guided tour of the iconic Katara Cultural Village. The highly visited location is the sum total of cultural melting point of Qatar, as well as place to experience cultures of other countries through such events as exhibitions of cultural arts and artefacts.
It is established on a one million square metres of land distributed into about 50 buildings constructed for various cultural expressions and ceremonies. It has two kilometres of coastal line for outdoor sea front cultural events and leisure.
The Katara Cultural Village boss welcomed the idea of partnership with Nigeria, and said that the Nigerian embassy should utilise Katara facilities to showcase the country’s cultural heritage via series of exhibitions at regular intervals after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He pledged his total support for any of such events that the embassy would be willing to organise.
He also briefed the Nigerian ambassador about the major buildings in the centre, which include Katara amphitheatre, art halls and galleries, drama theatre, masjids, opera house, hotels, restaurants and gardens.
Elaborating, he said the amphitheatre was completed in 2008 and officially opened on 11 December 2001, and that it covers 3,275 square metres and has the capacity to accommodate 5,000 spectators. He added that Katara uses numerous halls and galleries to host various conferences, seminars, symposiums and exhibitions.
