(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Following a two-month stay at the Institut du monde arabe (IMA) in Paris, ‘The Majlis Cultures in Dialogue' a travelling cross-cultural exhibition organised at the initiative of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum - hosted a closing cultural ceremony recently in the presence of leading dignitaries from France and Qatar.
The exhibition, which features a collection of a unique assembly of artefacts reflecting the interaction of civilisations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present, was the ideal spot for interesting open cultural discussions, having being held during the past two months at the heart of the majlis, the main hub of the exhibition.
Grabbing the French audience's attention to key topics such as ‘The Power of Language in Shaping Culture' and ‘Evolving Art to Identities' throughout its cultural discussions at IMA where attendees discussed the advancement and preservation of culture through language and art the organisers chose to end its journey in Paris by discussing ‘Sports as a Driver of Cultural Change' - one of the most pressing topics in Qatar today and in which all Qataris and expatriates are equally interested, given the local preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The cultural dialogue brought forth the synergies and links between sports and culture and emphasised how sports can help in engaging cultural interaction. The agenda was projected by renowned speakers, including Philippe Vinogradoff, French Ambassador for Sport; Dr Jean-François Robin, specialist in work psychology and sport didactics; Khalid Jassem, Qatari TV presenter and writer on Al Kass TV sports channels; Xavier Bouyer, internationally renowned performer and artist; and Nasser al-Hinzab, legal counsel of Qatar to Unesco.
The discussion focused on Qatar's pioneering role in this regard, starting by designating the second Tuesday of February of each year as the country's National Sport Day a date that is aimed to promote sport and educate the local population on ways to reduce health risks associated with inactive lifestyles, while bringing communities closer together through sport, based on the sporting principles of team building, inclusion, unity, participation, fitness and health.
Jassem highlighted the importance of having that day as part of the Qatari calendar while emphasising the government's efforts that are successfully putting Qatar on the
global sports map.
'Whether through Aspetar that assists athletes to achieve their maximum performance and full potential or Aspire Zone that aims to enhance sports performance and act as the reference in sports excellence worldwide by 2020, Qatar went far in promoting sports culture and still has big ambitions to achieve, he noted.
The closing cultural discussion saw a performance by Bouyer - a choreography that showcased the power of physical balance in delivering the meanings of impartiality and peace.
On the exhibition's concept, Vinogradoff said: 'I would like to congratulate the organizers to have achieved such a tremendous feat in making people aware about the vastness of Arab culture and delivering the importance of museums in preserving art and culture.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani, member of the board of trustees of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, said, 'We feel proud of the interaction that our cultural discussions were able to create at Institut du monde arabe. Being at this important cultural destination complements our role in bringing cultures closer together.
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