The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Germany, under the patronage of Qatar Museums Authority and in collaboration with Qatar Tourism Authority, is celebrating the Year of Culture in Germany. The festivities have been extended to the Arab Cultural House, Der Divan (previously called Villa Calé), in Zehlendorf, Berlin, where flags of both countries were hoisted to commemorate the cultural exchange, and celebration of similarities as well as differences.

Year of Culture is an initiative by Qatar Museums that aims to convey Qatar to an international audience. Through a variety of exhibitions, festivals, competitions and events, the programs promote mutual understanding, recognition and appreciation between countries.

“We have had this tradition since about five years. We have done a similar exchange with France, the UK, China, Japan, and now we are doing it with Germany. The idea is to enhance the cultural activities between the two countries because through building a bridge between cultures you can have a better understanding of each other, and develop further economic and political relations,” said H.E. Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Berlin.

The year is marked with initiatives and activities like art exhibitions, festivals, evenings for discussion and dialogue with intellectuals from Qatar and Germany, business ventures with iconic brands like Porsche, German Film Week, and tribute to Arab Women in Sports, among others.

Flags will remain hoisted until the end of the Year of Culture, however Der Divan will continue even afterwards to serve as a place of meeting, dialogue and exploration of Arab culture.