DOHA: Showcasing strong bilateral ties, the month-long British Festival Qatar 2015 was officially launched yesterday.
The festival will host 40 events and a concert by award-winning five-piece traditional Scottish band, Breabach, who will perform a selection of traditional Scottish folk music, with a unique and contemporary edge, accompanied by Qatari musician Mohamed AI Saigh.
The concert will be on April 5, at Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif towards the end of the festival.
Events will focus on UK and Qatar partnership, emphasising connections and common interests and covering a wide range of fields, including art, education, science, sport and business.
The festival coincides with the UK government’s GREAT campaign which encourages everybody to be involved with the best of Britain, specifically in business, tourism and education.
“The festival provides a platform for nurturing existing partnerships and forging new ones — in art, commerce, culture, education and science.
“We want to highlight British expertise in key sectors and promote the GREAT Britain campaign.
“We look forward to continuing our work with our sponsors and partners as the festival is launched. I hope many residents get involved in the festival and are inspired to visit, study and invest in the UK in the future,” Nicholas Hopton, British Ambassador, told an event at the embassy, launching the festival.
Martin Hope, Director, British Council Qatar, Dr Marzook Basheer Ali Marzook, from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and other dignitaries were present.
A car of the iconic British brand ‘Mini’ from Al Fardan Automobiles will visit important places in Doha. People could take photos of the car and upload them on to the festival’s social media platforms.
Latest information and details of all events and promotions during the festival could be viewed on www.facebook.com/britfestaqa, www.twitter.com/ britfestaqa and www.instagram.com/ britfestaqa
The festival’s official sponsors are Ezdan Holding Group, Qatar Shell, Charles Russell Speechlys, Vodafone Qatar, BAE Systems and Al Balagh Contracting and Trading Company and the festival is supported by local Qatari and British partners.
The Peninsula
