The grand opening of the Days of Kazakhstan Culture took place in Doha, an event made possible through agreements reached by the heads of the two states during the state visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the State of Qatar. The Kazakhstani delegation was led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva. Within the framework of the cultural program, the Deputy Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture and art. Aida Balayeva emphasized that hosting the Days of Kazakhstan Culture in Qatar is a great honor, noting that the two nations are united by shared spiritual values. She remarked that both Kazakhstan and Qatar carefully preserve the heritage of their rich nomadic civilizations and deeply honor their traditions, expressing confidence that these values will continue to bring the countries closer and pave the way for new joint projects.

Welcoming the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani noted the high potential for the development of Kazakh-Qatari relations, expressing confidence that cultural interaction would serve as a solid foundation for the further expansion of cooperation between the two nations. Particular attention during the meeting was paid to interaction within the creative sector. Aida Balayeva highlighted the dynamic development of creative industries in the State of Qatar and noted that Kazakhstan also prioritizes this direction, having established the Creative Industry Development Fund. In this regard, the Kazakhstani side expressed readiness to implement joint projects and expand practical cooperation in this field.

Additionally, other promising areas of interaction were identified, including the publication of joint books, the translation of works by authors from both countries into Kazakh and Arabic, and the exchange of experience in supporting artists. As a practical step, the signing of an Interdepartmental Action Plan covering all designated areas was proposed. Following the meeting, the heads of the delegations attended a Gala Concert featuring masters of Kazakhstan's arts. The program included classical musical heritage of the Kazakh people, folk kuis and songs, modern compositions with symphonic arrangements, as well as Arabic songs.

The heads of the delegations also visited the Darb Al Saai cultural and historical center, where the main events of the Days of Culture are taking place. These events include thematic concerts, exhibitions of decorative and applied arts, and displays by designers presenting national motifs in a modern interpretation. A special place in the program is occupied by an exposition from the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Separate attention is dedicated to the popularization of traditions and national sports, specifically the traditional art of archery, falconry, and hunting with Tazy hounds.

The four-day program of the Days of Kazakhstan Culture is aimed at further strengthening Kazakh-Qatari cultural and humanitarian cooperation and promoting Kazakhstan's national culture on the international stage. In the near future, the Days of Qatari Culture will be held in Kazakhstan in a reciprocal format.

 

Press Service of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan