(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Celebrated British conductor-composer James Shearman conducted the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) in a concert at the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre, Souq Waqif, which marked the concluding part of the fourth annual Qatar British Festival on December 8.
The concert was attended by an 850-strong audience, including British ambassador Ajay Sharma, British Council Qatar director Dr Frank Fitzpatrick and HSBC COO Ed Knox.
QPO performed The Planets and other works from the UK such as James Bond 007, alongside music from Independence Day, and The Bridge on the River Kwai, among others, showcasing the strength of British contribution to film music.
'The Festival has provided a fantastic platform for Qatar and the UK to forge deeper partnerships in culture, education, design and architecture, Sharma said. 'It has been encouraging to see so many residents of Qatar getting involved in the superb activities on offer over the last fortnight.
The performance concluded with the world premiere of Qatari composer Dana Alfardan's latest work, A Paper Heart, written to mark 200 years since the death of British author Jane Austen, further highlighting the way that Britain helps nurture local Qatari talent.
Dana Alfardan believes that the British Festival was the perfect setting for A Paper Heart's premiere and hopes the audience enjoyed the performance and celebration of the valued cultural relationship between the two nations.
The two-week festival, organised by the British Council Qatar which ran from November 26 to December 8, featured a variety of events for all the family, including public art and architecture, films and musical performances, and showcased the best of British culture.
Winners of the British Council's Unlimited Doha Design Prize, along with special guest speakers Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah and Mohamed Ali Abdullah, held a lively panel discussion on November 29.
The discussion, in partnership with Qatar University's Faculty of Engineering and University College London Qatar, attracted more than 100 professionals, academics and students, combining Qatari and British architectural perspectives, which covered the topics of ‘Transformation of The Built Environment in Doha and Its Impact on the Architectural Identity' and ‘Everyday Life and Public Space'.
The Council also supported the recently held fifth Ajyal Youth Film Festival, organised by the Doha Film Institute, which included the screening of several British productions and co-productions and the participation of Ajyal Competition jury from the UK and around the world.
The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum was the venue for a Healthy Lifestyle UK Alumni networking event on December 2, which was attended by 200 alumni members.
Prominent Qatari entrepreneur HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, director of Health Promotion and Non-communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Public Health Dr Sheikha al-Anoud al-Thani, first health coach in Qatar Noora al-Kuwari, advanced nutritionist and co-founder of 'Low Calories Fahad al-Ruwaili, and Sharma discussed ways to improve lifestyles and make people healthier, a topic that reflects Qatar's five-year health strategy.
The Welsh Government, in partnership with the British Embassy, Qatar Airways and Cardiff Airport, also organised a business briefing to highlight opportunities for developing links between Qatar and Wales. These links will be further boosted by the launch of Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Cardiff from May 1, 2018.
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