#Cultural Exchange #Qatar #Doha #Years of Culture

Qatar's Years of Culture Initiative to Foster Global Cultural Collaboration

In an exciting announcement, Qatar's Years of Culture initiative has unveiled its upcoming cultural partnerships for the years 2026 and 2027. This initiative, which began in 2012 as part of Qatar's commitment to cultural diplomacy, aims to enhance mutual respect and cultural exchange across the globe. The new partnerships will include Canada and Mexico in 2026, followed by Egypt and Greece in 2027.

Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the chair of the initiative, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the Years of Culture program has become one of Qatar's most rewarding ventures. Originating from the legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2022, this program has been instrumental in forging understanding and connections beyond borders for over a decade. It aims to bring Qatar's rich cultural heritage to diverse audiences around the world while honoring other nations through cultural exchanges hosted in Qatar.

This year, Qatar is celebrating its cultural collaborations with Argentina and Chile, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of South American culture. Next year, the focus will shift to North America, marking a special alignment with the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This sporting event’s spirit of global unity aligns with the initiative’s goal of uniting cultures through the power of football.

In 2027, Qatar will pay tribute to the rich cultural heritages of Egypt and Greece, two pivotal civilizations that have significantly influenced global history, culture, philosophy, and art. These collaborations will strengthen cultural ties and offer new opportunities for dialogue and understanding.

Throughout each Year of Culture, Qatar collaborates closely with cultural institutions, embassies, artists, and educators to offer a diverse and engaging calendar of exhibitions, festivals, fairs, artistic residencies, academic exchanges, and public events in both Qatar and the partner countries. These engagements often commence ahead of the official Year of Culture and extend well beyond it, nurturing lasting legacies and relationships.

Over the years, the initiative has successfully partnered with a wide array of countries, including Japan (2012), the UK (2013), Brazil (2014), Turkey (2015), China (2016), Germany (2017), Russia (2018), India (2019), France (2020), the United States (2021), the MENA region (2022), Indonesia (2023), and Morocco (2024). Currently, Qatar is hosting cultural exchanges with both Argentina and Chile throughout 2025.

For those interested in more details regarding the Years of Culture initiative, further information is available at www.yearsofculture.qa or by following the initiative on social media @yearsofculture.