Qatar's Freej Art and Design Festival brings Iraq into the spotlight

Baghdad - INA

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani participated today, Saturday, in the opening of the activities of the first edition of the (Frij Art and Design) Festival, organized by the Qatari Ministry of Culture at the permanent headquarters of Darb Al Saai in the Um Salal area.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Culture and received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) said, "Iraq's participation came in response to an invitation extended by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture, in the presence of a number of ministers and ambassadors accredited to the state."

The statement quoted Al-Badrani as saying, "The festival is considered a cultural front that benefits all visitors," stressing that "the Qatari cultural experience is a pioneering experience in the Arab world, and is considered a bridge between the Qatari past and the future."

According to the statement, the guests toured the festival’s corners, from the artists’ studios to the Arab Illuminations Exhibition, which includes the participation of Qatari and Arab galleries. According to its organisers, this is the cultural season launched by the ministry, and the Freej Art and Design Festival aims to create an interactive platform between intellectuals, creators, artists, poets and the public, and establish a Qatari-Arab-global cultural dialogue.