A delegation from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), led by SC Secretary General H.E. Mr. Hassan Al Thawadi, participated in the launch of the Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018, which took place at a ceremony in Moscow, Russia on Qatar National Day.

The event, which was hosted by the Ambassador of Qatar to Russia H.E. Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, was also attended by high-ranking officials from partnering Year of Culture stakeholders including Qatar Museums, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways along with the leading figures from the Russian cultural sector.

Commenting on the occasion, SC Secretary General H.E. Mr. Hassan Al Thawadi said: "The Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018 is a unique opportunity for people in our respective nations to gain a better understanding and appreciation of each other and what our countries and regions represent, much like the FIFA World Cup".

H.E. added: "With Russia hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and Qatar in 2022, the tournament binds our two nations in the eyes of our people and those watching around the world. This is the true beauty and meaning of an event like the FIFA World Cup, and we are certain that both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament will play host to mutual celebrations of culture in both host nations. While the Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018 may introduce people to Qatar for the first time, we certainly hope it is the first of many exchanges starting in 2018, continuing in 2022 and developing further in the decades to come".

From his part, the Ambassador of Qatar to Russia H.E. Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah said: "I would like to welcome everyone to the launch of the Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018, we are very honoured to have you present and part of this cultural celebration on Qatar National Day – an occasion that is very dear to us all and one that all Qataris around the world celebrate. Today marks the start of an exciting programme of cultural exchange between Qatar and Russia, and we are looking forward to what 2018 has to offer from cultural exhibitions, activities and events".

The event included an exhibition space that introduced guests to Qatari culture and traditions, and gave an overview of contemporary Qatar. As part of this space, the SC organised a booth that gave guests the opportunity to learn more about Qatar's hosting plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, the stadiums it is building for the tournament, the SC's various legacy programmes including Generation Amazing, Josoor Institute, Challenge 22 and more.

The Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018, which aims to promote cultural exchange and unity between the two countries comes at a crucial time ahead of Russia's hosting of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, as it will support further exchange of knowledge and expertise between Qatar and Russia before the tournament comes to the Middle East for the first time in 2022, building on a number of knowledge sharing initiatives and observation programmes between the two FIFA World Cup™ hosts.

The launch of the initiative follows the signing of an official joint declaration of cooperation between Qatar and Russia by the Minister of Culture and Sports H.E. Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky in November 2017, during which H.E. Al Ali emphasised Qatar's keenness to further strengthen its relationships with Russia at the State and public levels, using the Year of Culture Qatar – Russia 2018 as a supporting pillar for achieving this.

The Year of Culture programme, led by Qatar Museums, aims to build bridges between Qatar and the world's different cultures, thereby promoting mutual cultural understanding and appreciation between them, and helping people explore and appreciate their cultural similarities and differences.