A meeting was held today, Tuesday 11 March 2014 to evaluate the outcomes of the cultural year “Qatar – UK 2013” in the presence of HE Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, the British Minister of Culture and the members of the festivity’s organizational committee. The meeting was held in Jassim Zeini Hall at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters at 10:30 am.
At the beginning of his speech, HE the Minister welcomed the attendees and underlined the importance of this meeting since it evaluates the achievements made during the festivity "Qatar - UK 2013", pointing that the initiative of holding cultural years was the first of its kind. He also stated that this initiative had greatly benefited culture in Qatar, the Arab world and worldwide, revealing that the proof of its success is the  countries' keenness to hold similar cultural events. “An unprecedented level was reached by the cultural relationships thanks to this initiative, which gave culture more importance almost in all meetings,” he added.

Great Advantages
HE the minister expressed his happiness for the achievements made during these cultural years, pointing that the evaluation of these cultural events would lead us to know about two important matters: first, what has been achieved during the festivity and second, was there any progress?
HE Dr. Hamad underscored that the evaluation of the festivity “Qatar – Japan 2012” contributed to better planning for the cultural year “Qatar – UK 2013”, and this is also the case for the evaluation of the cultural year “Qatar – UK 2013”, especially that we are launching a new joint cultural year with Brazil. 
On the other hand, HE the minister pointed that what proves the continuity of the cultural relationships between the two countries is Qatar participation in the Book Fair due to be organized in England during this year.

In his address, the British Minister of Culture stressed on the continuity of cultural exchange even after the cultural festivity “Qatar – UK 2013”, pointing that the cooperation between the two countries is  not limited to the cultural field, but rather covers all other fields and that this event was the first in Qatar, and it has included a wide range of activities.

Evaluation of the festivity
Concerning the subject matter of the meeting, Mrs. Aisha Al-Attiya, Cultural and Diplomatic Projects Manager at Qatar Museums Authority presented an evaluating report of the festivity which aimed at enhancing understanding, recognition and appreciation of peoples, cultures and traditions as well as strengthening the cultural exchange in the fields of arts, sport, sciences and education between institutions and individuals in both countries.

Statistics showed that the number of participants exceeded 400.000 and 1200 articles about the festivity were published. Moreover, nine international competitions were organized during this year in addition to the participation of more than 50 companies, and a total amount of 9 Million QR was provided by sponsors. It is also worth mentioning that the largest exhibition ever of the artist Damien Steven Hirst was organized during this festivity. This exhibition was Damien’s first individual exhibition in the Middle East that attracted 62.067 persons. Besides, a pearl exhibition was held in Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This exhibition attracted 107.104 persons in addition to Al-Fayrouz exhibition “The traditions and the Continuity in Afghan Art” which was visited by 17.496 persons and Haya’s event held under the title “Arab Women in Sports” and attracted 86.047 persons.

Numerous British films were screened under the patronage of Doha Film Institute (DFI) during the Ajyal Film Festival for youth, and many musical concerts were performed by the members of Qatar Music Academy in London and Edinburgh in addition to the concerts of the BBC Symphony Orchestra held in Doha, and the performances held in Shakespeare Theater in London.

For further information on the festival's evaluation, please see the full media release at the external link below.

http://www.moc.gov.qa/English/news/Pages/Ministry-of-Culture-organizes-a-meeting-to-evaluate-the-outcomes-of-the-joint-cultural-festivity-%E2%80%9CQatar-%E2%80%93-UK-2013%E2%80%9D.aspx