QPO concert to mark opening of Qatar-Germany Year of Culture

A concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) at the Katara Opera House today will mark the start of the Qatar Germany 2017 Year of Culture, Qatar Museums (QM) has said.The performance, directed by the German conductor David Niemann, will also see renowned German piano soloist Gerhard Oppitz rendering his piece at the event’s official opening. In a statement, QM’s public and international relations director Mohammed al-Othman said the success of the previous Year of Culture paves the way for the 2017 programme of events, “which is set to be just as exciting.”“It will celebrate the similarities, as well as differences between both countries. We look forward to celebrating our growing relationship with Germany,” he noted.The event is organised by QM, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, Germany’s cultural institute with a global reach, and the German embassy in Doha. Al-Othman added that the event’s broad and varied programme involves a number of high profile organisations in Qatar, including the Qatar National Library, Doha Film Institute, Katara – the Cultural Village, and the QPO. The Qatar Germany 2017 Year of Culture forms part of QM’s ‘Years of Culture’ initiative designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people through mutual exchanges of arts, culture, heritage and sport.  “We believe it is important for countries to interact not only on the policy and trade level, but also to create – and then support and protect – open spaces for culture, where civil society can participate in dialogue,” stressed Dr Andreas G?rgen, director general for culture and communication at the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO).GFFO, together with its partners in Germany like Goethe-Institut, is working to connect societies through cultural and educational actions. “Our cultural relations and education policy contributes to connecting both our societies stronger across borders, especially through cultural coproduction,” Dr G?rgen said.“The 2017 Year of Culture offers us a unique opportunity to engage with the Qatari society in active exchange through culture and education and to present Germany in its cultural, economic and societal entirety,” he stressed.Echoing Dr G?rgen’s statement, Goethe-Institut secretary general Johannes Ebert noted that the cultural event aims to broaden the knowledge about societies of Germany and Qatar. “Culture and the arts provide a fruitful platform to better get to know each other, to connect people and exchange similar and different views in the framework of an international cultural dialogue,” Ebert pointed out.QM will also hold two exhibitions in the third quarter of this year at Al Riwaq Gallery and at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence as part of the event.In addition, German and Qatari partner institutions in Doha will organise literary and art workshops, film screenings and discussions, concerts and performances, sport competitions and trade shows throughout 2017. QM added that Qatar Airways is the official airline of the Years of Culture initiative.