Culture, Arts and Heritage

The State of Qatar has established many important strategies and objectives aimed at making it one of the most important cultural countries on both an international and local scale. It aims to do so through its organization of cultural events such as festivals, seminars, lectures, evenings, art galleries, book fairs, workshops, comprehensive training for beginners and focusing on the promising younger generation and supporting it.

The State promotes its interest in heritage by collecting and documenting folklore materials and establishing an archive for it, organizing and reviving national events and occasions, and supporting the people working in the field.

Qatar sponsors varied cultural events through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and heritage which organizes cultural events like festivals, seminars, lectures, arts exhibitions, book exhibitions, workshops and training in cultural, arts and heritage domain.

The ministry nurtures the cultural and arts movement, holds several regular national cultural and artistic weeks and events at home and abroad; organizes lectures, symposia and poetry recitation evenings; licenses various folklore, theatrical and musical troupes and supervises Qatar’s National Theatre.

Press and Publications

The ministry protects its copyrights and trademarks over the broadcast materials it produces, and issues permits for others to use them. It is also concerned with examining and issuing the necessary licenses for newspapers; publishing houses; bookshops; book importing, exporting and distributing firms; advertising, public relations and artistic production companies; shops selling and distributing artistic production; censoring local and foreign publications and artistic products; issuing newsletters and publications on various aspects of development in the country, which are provided to embassies and diplomatic missions in coordination with the relevant departments.

The Emiri Decree No. (11) for the year 2003 was issued to give out the State Appreciative award to scientists and innovators in recognition of their overall scientific and creative talents under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Arts. In addition to giving the State Incentive Awards to promising researchers and innovators with outstanding talents.

Qatar National Library

www.qnl.qa

Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, acts as a steward of Qatar’s national heritage by collecting, preserving and making available the country’s recorded history. In its role as a research library with a preeminent heritage library, QNL fosters and promotes greater global insight into the history and culture of the Gulf region. As a public library, QNL provides equal access for all Qatari residents to an environment that supports creativity, independent decision-making, and cultural development. Through all its functions, QNL provides leadership to the country’s library and cultural heritage sector.

Theatre in Qatar

The State fosters the cultural and artistic movement through the establishment of cultural and artistic Qatari festivals and weeks both locally and abroad. It also supports it through poetry evenings, licensing the establishment of folk, theatre and music troupes, artworks and concerts, in addition to supervising Qatar's National Theater.

The State has been keen to develop Qatari talents in the theatrical arts since 1972. It has participated in various theatrical festivals, promotes youth film initiatives, developed the annual local theater festival, and expanded the field in Doha by establishing theatrical production groups, and theatrical groups for children. The Ministerial Decree No. (299) for the year 2014 was issued to form a committee to prepare the list for the Children's Theater Festival, which falls within the strategy of Qatar's National Vision (2030). In addition, the establishment of a specialized academic institute to study theatrical arts, music, audio-visuals and cinema.

Theatres of Qatar

In Qatar, there are three large theatres equipped with advanced instruments and equipment:

Qatar National Theatre, which was opened in 1986 and is considered to be one of the best theatres in the region. It is equipped with advance technologies and is of vast capacity for various theatrical, ballet and folk shows.
The Cultural village (Katara) theatres
Souq Waqif theatre

Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

QATAR