Algiers: The Ministry of Culture organized a lecture on Sunday about the theatrical movement in Qatar, as part of its participation in the International Book Fair in Algiers, where Qatar is the guest of honor. The lecture highlighted the history of the theatrical movement, its evolution, and the early development of theatrical production in Qatar. It particularly focused on the emergence of sports and cultural clubs in the 1960s, followed by the establishment of theater groups in the 1970s.
According to Qatar News Agency, delivering the lecture, director and media personality, associate professor in the theatrical arts program at Community College, Saad Burshid, noted that the scholarships granted to Qataris specializing in theatrical studies had a profound impact on promoting the theatrical movement. He commended the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s role in fostering interest in the art of theatre and graduating incredibly talented individuals, including artists, writers, and directors.
Burshid
emphasized that the theatrical movement in Qatar has been constantly evolving, culminating in the inauguration of the Doha Theatrical Festival as the first groundbreaking event in the Gulf region, which marked its 36th edition in 2024.
Interestingly, the Qatari coffee served at the Ministry’s pavilion at the International Book Fair in Algiers attracts a substantial number of visitors who are eager to stand in line to taste it. A researcher in Qatari folklore, Saleh Gharib, expressed his happiness with the Algerians’ positive response to Qatari coffee, which is considered part and parcel of Qatar’s heritage and symbolizes generosity and hospitality in Qatar. This coffee has been registered as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Gharib illuminated to Qatar News Agency that the ministry has been committed to presenting detailed information about Qatari coffee for visitors of the fair, discussing its contents, the etiqu
ette of drinking it, and its profound role in Qatari culture. He stated that all visitors’ questions about Qatari coffee are answered.
The Qatari pavilion at the fair continues to draw visitors keen to glimpse the showcased materials in multiple genres. This is followed by a broader program through which the pavilion shines a spotlight on a range of cultural aspects from daily life in Qatar, alongside Qatari mores.
The event is set to run until November 16, 2024, featuring the participation of 350 guests from 24 countries. It offers a comprehensive cultural program punctuated by seminars, conversations, and meetings, in addition to an integrated program for children that includes educational and recreational activities.