“Explore Sri Lanka”- Qatar MENASA 2022, Years of Culture festival in Doha

A two-day Sri Lanka Cultural Festival titled “Explore Sri Lanka”- Qatar MENASA 2022, Years of Culture was celebrated from 9-10 September at the Education City in Doha-Qatar. 

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Doha in collaboration with the Sri Lankan community organisations, organised the event.

This event presented an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase Sri Lankan culture, arts, handicrafts, history, religion, Ceylon tea culture, the Sri Lankan way of life and skills etc. to the people of the State of Qatar and the expatriate community.

Traditional Sri Lankan dances and the drum performances by the students of the Stafford Sri Lanka School Doha and Dinu Dance Academy in Doha added glamour to the event and captivated the audience- foreigners and locals alike, with the various types of enchanting performances like Kandyan, Prashashthi, Awrudu, Folk etc. Among the major attractions of the festival was the display of bridals depicting Kandyan, Hindu, Islamic and Catholic brides.

A number of Sri Lankan stalls were set up at the venue to display and sell Sri Lankan arts and crafts, food and Ceylon tea. The Sri Lankan handicrafts, batiks, various brassware and masks were on display at the stalls. A variety of Sri Lankan traditional food items were served to the visitors at “Game Kade”. Sri Lankan Airlines also participated in the event promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination with world class wellness resorts, historical and contemporary wonders, authentic cuisine and unique Ayuruveda medical system blessed with nature.

This cultural festival was organised with the assistance and the guidance of Qatar Museums and Qatar Foundation on the annual initiative of “Years of Culture” developed under the leadership of the Qatar Museums Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

“Years of Culture” is an international cultural exchange that deepens understanding between nations and their people. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the 2022 Year of Culture offers programs from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). This is the first time Qatar is partnering with an entire region - MENASA. Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022 has been developed in collaboration with leading organisations in Qatar, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Football Association, Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums, with the assistance of Doha-based diplomatic missions of all the participating countries.

In his keynote address at the festival, Ambassador M. Mafaz Mohideen spoke about the long-standing friendly relationship that cordially exists between Qatar and Sri Lanka along with the political ties of both nations. The Ambassador stated that culture is one of the most effective tools to bring people closer together, encourage dialogue and deepen understanding between nations. He reiterated that the existing bilateral ties would be further enhanced through this cultural cooperation for the benefit of both countries.

The Ambassador also expressed his profound gratitude to Qatar Museums, Qatar Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar for their immense cooperation extended in this endeavour.