Briefing on the “Qatar Culture, Crafts, and National Cuisine Week” held in Uzbekistan from October 11-14

Qatar has become one of Uzbekistan’s reliable partners in the Gulf region.

In recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Qatar has been developing not only in various fields but also in the culture and arts sector.

Cultural ties have been strengthened as part of agreements made during the visits of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Qatar and the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Uzbekistan. These agreements have fostered closer collaboration in the field of culture.

Recently, our cultural relations have been growing in line with the memorandum signed on June 5, 2023, between the governments of Uzbekistan and Qatar on cultural cooperation.

The year 2024 is expected to be a year full of cultural events and exchanges in bilateral cooperation.

Specifically, from February 20-26, the "Uzbekistan Culture, Crafts, and Tourism Week" was organized at a high level in Doha.

From April 13-19, a delegation of schoolchildren and teachers from Qatar visited Uzbekistan's cities of Tashkent and Samarkand.

From April 18-25, a group of bloggers from Qatar visited our country and filmed several documentaries.

One of these collaborative events took place from October 11-14 in our capital, Tashkent City Park, where the “Qatar Culture, Crafts, and National Cuisine Week” was held. The event was attended by a delegation of about 150 people, led by the Minister of Culture of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani.

During the week, concert programs and exhibitions reflecting Qatar’s culture were presented to the residents and guests of the capital. The main goal of the week was to celebrate Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing its classical and folk craftsmanship, performance traditions, customs, and rituals, as well as further strengthening the friendly relations between Qatar and Uzbekistan.

The events included exhibitions showcasing Qatar’s diverse cultural landscape, intangible cultural heritage, national musical instruments, miniatures, and both artistic and decorative crafts, as well as gastronomic exhibitions.

The opening ceremony of the event took place on October 11 in the amphitheater of Tashkent City Park, followed by a handicraft exhibition. From October 12-14, the park hosted further exhibitions and concerts.

On October 13, a concert by Qatari composer Nasser Sahim was held in the grand hall of the Uzbekistan State Conservatory. The concert, conducted by Uzbekistan’s People’s Artist Kamoliddin Orinboyev, was performed in collaboration with the Uzbekistan State Symphony Orchestra.

During the week, a meeting between the Minister of Culture of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, took place to discuss cooperation.

On October 14, a concert was held to mark the closing of the “Qatar Culture, Crafts, and National Cuisine Week.”

It should be noted that cultural relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State of Qatar have been developing rapidly in recent years. Qatar's participation in international festivals held in Uzbekistan is a clear example of this.

For example, Qatari representatives actively participated in the International Maqam Art Forum (2018-2024), the International Bakhshi Art Festival (2019), and the XIII International Music Festival “Sharq Taronalari” held in 2024.

For information, the “Qatar Culture, Crafts, and National Cuisine Week,” held from October 11-14 at Tashkent City Park, was widely covered by nearly 40 media outlets from Uzbekistan and Qatar.

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