Cultural Ties Take Centre Stage Following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Visit to Doha
A new chapter in Qatar–Canada relations is unfolding as Mark Carney visited Doha this month, placing culture alongside trade, education, and innovation as a strategic pillar of long-term cooperation. His visit coincided with the launch of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a landmark initiative designed to strengthen people-to-people ties and accelerate cross-sector collaboration. Canadian media launches were held on 29 January in Toronto at the Aga Khan Museum, followed by an event on 30 January at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Ottawa. During the Toronto briefing, Michael Bartlett, CEO of Canada Basketball, presented a commemorative basketball to Qatari representatives—symbolising sport’s role in diplomacy. Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy During his Doha press briefing on 18 January, Prime Minister Carney highlighted the transformative power of cultural familiarity: “When the people of different countries are familiar with each other’s cultures and perspectives, they’re enriched and they trust each other more. They also want to do more together.” He emphasised that Qatar’s Year of Culture—with Canada as a primary partner—will help deepen bilateral trust through arts, education, business, and creative collaboration. Qatar’s newly appointed Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari, added: “By linking cultural exchange with economic opportunity and institutional cooperation, we are building relationships that will endure beyond 2026.” A Bilateral Partnership Linking Culture with Economic Opportunity This year-long cultural programme is built on a strategic approach that aligns cultural diplomacy with trade diversification, skills development, and market access, connecting Qatar and Canada beyond traditional government channels. Programme Highlights Across Sectors Gastronomy: Canadian Chefs Shine in Doha Cultural programming began at the Qatar International Food Festival, where Canadian chefs Christian Gosselin, Eric Chong, and Andy Hay participated in live culinary showcases. Their presentations amplified Canada’s emerging influence in global gastronomy through innovation, technique, and storytelling. Sport: Basketball, Winter Sports & Legacy Partnerships Sport remains a core pillar of Qatar–Canada relations, especially as Doha prepares to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027™. Plans are underway for an international basketball friendly, highlighting the sport’s Canadian origins and Qatar’s growing investment in global sports infrastructure. Winter sports development is another focus area. The Qatar Winter Sports Committee is collaborating with Canadian partners on programmes related to ice hockey, curling, skating, and short-track training. Michael Bartlett, CEO of Canada Basketball, stated: “Sports diplomacy matters now more than ever. Basketball has a unique ability to build lasting relationships between young people, communities, and nations.” Education & Literacy: Qatar Reads Expands to Canada As part of the cultural year, Qatar Reads, led by Qatar National Library, will launch programming in Canada in August 2026. Activities will include Arabic storytelling, children’s literature exchanges, and creative workshops, while reciprocal programmes will introduce Canadian traditions to families in Qatar. Additionally, a Doha Debates Town Hall will be held in Canada, focusing on football, identity, and the global impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Public Space & Design: Art as Cultural Connector Several major cultural exhibitions and art initiatives are planned, including: Economic Partnership: Culture as a Long-Term Growth Engine The Qatar–Canada cultural partnership supports larger economic goals by embedding commerce into cultural programming. Collaborations with Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry will create new access pathways for Canadian companies via platforms such as Project Qatar and Hospitality Qatar. This approach positions culture as a catalyst for: A Strategic Vision for 2026 and Beyond Canada and Qatar are deepening their bilateral relationship through a model that blends culture, education, sport, design, and enterprise. Prime Minister Carney’s visit marks the beginning of a year defined by collaboration, shared values, and a forward-looking commitment to cultural diplomacy. The Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture stands poised to become one of the most impactful cultural partnerships in the region—uniting communities, industries, and institutions under a shared vision for global cooperation.
Dana Al Fardan Bridges Qatari Heritage & Sardinian Culture in “The Song of the Two Seas”
In a landmark intercultural performance titled “The Song of the Two Seas”, celebrated Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan brought the essence of Qatari musical heritage to the prestigious Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Italy. Presented on New Year’s Eve 2025, the concert marked a defining artistic exchange between Qatar and Sardinia, uniting two coastal cultures shaped by the sea. A Cultural Bridge Between Qatar and Sardinia Under the direction of renowned maestro Giovanni Pasini, the evening introduced audiences to a sophisticated 75-minute programme fusing orchestral mastery with Qatari traditional motifs. The performance brought together: Al Fardan’s selections—including works from Tempest, Nadir, and the lullaby “Andimironnai”—were woven seamlessly with pieces by Glinka and Ezio Bosso. Maestro Pasini also premiered a new choral arrangement of Tempest, dedicated to the opera choir. The Sounding Stones: A Sonic Signature A highlight of the night was the integration of the legendary Sounding Stones by the late Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. Played live by Maria Sciola and Andrea Granitzio, the stones emitted ancient, metallic resonances that merged naturally with Al Fardan’s contemporary orchestration. Al Fardan described this experience as “absorbing the frequency of the land,” blending Qatari rhythms with Sardinia’s geological soundscape. A Night of Prestigious Attendance The concert drew significant distinguished guests, including: Their presence underscored the growing cultural and diplomatic bridge between Qatar and Sardinia. Dana Al Fardan: Expanding Qatari Music to Global Stages As the first female Qatari composer to integrate traditional folk elements—especially Fijiri, the music of Qatari pearl divers—into orchestral compositions, Al Fardan continues to shape a distinctive artistic voice. Her cinematic album Tempest, recorded with over 100 musicians, explores global seafaring narratives threaded through Qatari heritage, reinforcing the universality of human stories shaped by the sea. Her international successes include: A Prelude to Deeper Cultural Collaboration Reflecting on the night, Al Fardan noted that “shared human values and a shared appreciation for the arts are laying the foundations for broader cultural integration.” The performance served not only as a celebration of artistic exchange but as a forward-looking signal for future collaborations across tourism, enterprise, and the creative industries between Sardinia and Qatar.
