HE Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara, inaugurated the exhibition titled ‘Youth Eyes on the Silk Road‘, organised in collaboration with the Katara Public Diplomacy Center and UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
The exhibition, held at Building 47 in Katara Cultural Village, runs until 14 October 2024, and showcases 30 exceptional photographs from 21 Arab countries. These images were selected from four editions of the international competition ‘Youth Lenses on the Silk Roads.’
The inauguration was attended by HE Salah El-Din Zaki Khaled, UNESCO’s Representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Office in Doha, as well as numerous ambassadors accredited to the State, alongside a distinguished group of artists, media professionals, and other dignitaries.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Al-Sulaiti emphasized that this exhibition stands as a testament to the fruitful cooperation between Katara and UNESCO, highlighting the mutual respect for culture and art, and the commitment to fostering dialogue between cultures and peoples.
Prof. Dr. Al-Sulaiti stated, ‘This exhibition underscores the shared appreciation between Katara and UNESCO for culture and art, as well as our commitment to building bridges of communication between cultures and peoples. The exhibition also highlights the significant historical value of the Silk Road, where Arabs played a vital role in disseminating Arab culture.’
He further remarked, ‘Through this exhibition, we extend a new pathway along the Silk Road, connecting East to West and North to South, through stunning artistic works that reflect the rich human heritage of diverse civilisations and underscore the Arabs’ key role in spreading Arab culture, with its multifaceted civilisational and intellectual contributions.’
He also noted that the exhibition reaffirms Katara’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with various entities and organisations, aligned with shared goals of promoting understanding, exchange, and peace among peoples.
Salah Khaled, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, also delivered a speech, stating that the exhibition exemplifies UNESCO’s recognition of youth involvement in cultural and community activities through the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme, part of UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector. He lauded Katara’s efforts in fostering cooperation and joint initiatives.
Salah Khaled added, ‘This exhibition reflects UNESCO’s celebration of youth engagement in cultural and communal activities through the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme. Through this competition and the Youth Research Grant, UNESCO aims to enhance the engagement of youth with their cultural heritage and provide a platform for them to share their visions with the world.’
He explained that each photograph tells a unique story, showcasing the vibrant perspectives of young artists who live or travel along these historical routes. Their works not only reflect their individual artistic visions but also embody the spirit of creativity and collaboration that UNESCO cherishes. He further expressed gratitude to the China International Peace Foundation for its support of this initiative and noted that the winners of the 6th World Photography Competition 2024 were recently announced.
Historically, it is worth mentioning that the term ‘Silk Roads’ was coined by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1877. The Silk Roads were an interconnected network of trade routes that linked ancient civilisations across Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, West Asia, and the Near East. These routes spanned 7,500 kms from east to west, and over 35,000 kilometers including side routes. For over 36 years, UNESCO’s Silk Roads Programme has aimed to promote the shared heritage of cultural, scientific, and commercial exchanges that flourished along these historical paths.
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