Carmen? What Carmen?

pearl of qatar
By pearl of qatar

"Carmen" was advertised to be performed at the Qatar National Theatre last night. I just had a feeling that something was not right, and sure enough when I got there early (to avoid dissapointment) I was told "Carmen" will be on in "two weeks". I was not surprised. The previous morning I phoned Qatar National Tourism, The ministry of Arts and Culture, the Cultural Heritage Village and The office of Doha Capital of Arab Culture 2010. Only one call was answered, and they knew nothing. I appeal to the organisers of "Doha Capital of Arab Culture" to kindly provide an English version of their website, and then to keep it properly updatded about these cultural events. They have hosted a number of film festivals, for example, which have been very poorly publisised. There are many people of non- Arab culture who would have enjoyed the opportunity to attend these events.Isn't that after all what this 2010 cultural event is about- especially in a city home to so many nationalities?

By nomerci• 25 Jun 2010 22:46
nomerci

Not a bad idea darling!

By qatarisun• 25 Jun 2010 22:35
qatarisun

yeah.. that's great, nomerci.. MY problem is even in Toronto I cannot satisfy my appetite for the theatre.. not too many options either... have to drop by New York, or... Barcelona in September, eh? ;)

By nomerci• 25 Jun 2010 19:23
nomerci

Ah, I see. ah well, will be going to Europe this summer, will upload on culture to last until the next time I can leave .....

By qatarisun• 25 Jun 2010 18:13
Rating: 4/5
qatarisun

nomerci.. it was advertised NOWHERE.. i knew about it 25 minutes before the performance started... some kind soul sent me SMS.

...Around 7:30-7:35 pm we were leaving diplomatic club after watching a soccer game there, when i found a text message from one of my friends, saying that "Giselle" starts at 8 pm at the national theatre.. i just jumped into my car and I was there at 8 sharp. Theatre was actually full.. I guess they send the invitations through certain companies only, and then friends of friends of friends spread the word.. Q-A-T-A-R.. :)

By nomerci• 25 Jun 2010 16:30
nomerci

oh, was it advertised somewhere? I wish I would have known :(

By qatarisun• 25 Jun 2010 15:42
qatarisun

the show was good enough.. of course, it is not a "New York Ballet Theatre", but still.. :)

it was a cure for one thirsty soul like myself.. considering that we have no ANY of this type of performances in qatar, this one was spectacular.. I really enjoyed it..

By genesis• 25 Jun 2010 11:18
genesis

That's the picture posted in doha 2010 website. I havn't been there :(

How was the show?

By qatarisun• 25 Jun 2010 10:37
qatarisun

I HAVE BEEN THERE, and I watched Giselle yesterday! It was beautiful..

but sorry, genesis, your pic is from some other ballett, not Giselle..:)..:):)

By genesis• 25 Jun 2010 09:30
Rating: 5/5
genesis

The show Giselle was performed by the Russian Hermitage Ballet last night at 8:00 pm ,at Qatar National Theater!!!

By pussycat• 18 Jun 2010 18:36
pussycat

i agree with pearl of qatar..I have been in Doha for four years and I know it is really hard to get an announcement about an event and also to belive in truthness of that announcement..but I have really disappointed yesterday..

Qatarhappening and vivreauqatar websites..please dont announce an event if you are not sure that is gonna happen!!!!

By anonymous• 18 Jun 2010 13:27
anonymous

Carmen Electra? ;-))

By pearl of qatar• 18 Jun 2010 12:08
pearl of qatar

Genesis thank you for your input. It is encouraging indeed.. And yes, Nic and Qatarisun, I have lived in Doha for 5 years and I know how things are here, but inspite of that this is actually the first time I have been dissapointed! I kinda had faith in the system still!Lets hope my appeal leads to better publicity. Its such a pity that the culture hungry people of Doha are missing out on the offerings.

By genesis• 18 Jun 2010 11:51
Rating: 5/5
genesis

your appeal is well known to the organizers as many local newspaper columnists have criticized the way Doha 2010 events was organized in the past few months.

Not many know that the ministry of Culture & art was just recently resurrected and brought back to life after abolishing the national council of culture & art sometime last year.

Although H.E the minster of Culture Dr. Hamad A Al Kuwari is one of the finest Qatari intellects, I have my reservation about the organizers. Who still have the old bulk ministry mentality and think they can run things now the way they used to run it a decade ago. There is this misconception among local older generation intellects that cultural events are reserved for intellectuals & the press only

if you log on the Doha 2010 website http://www.doha2010.com.qa/

You won't find that much details either except for previous events & what's currently running this month only.

For instance, there is a Chinese cultural week from 20-23 of June at 8 PM at the Qatar National Theater. Yet, it's unclear what kind of event is that! Whether it's performing art or Chinese folklore dance

I think it's the responsibility of listings publishers like Qatar happening & Time out Doha to contact the Ministry of Culture to get their updated events

I also think that their main events are yet to come in the year's final Quarter (October-December), With inauguration of Doha Cultural Village at west bay. Where they have recently appointed "Marcio Barbosa" as a director of the village

By hassan1024• 18 Jun 2010 10:54
hassan1024

Wow jackmohan2007..... How long did it take you to come up with that "joke"? I'm sure even Stephen Fry would bow down to your incredibly creative humour..

By Nic• 18 Jun 2010 10:33
Nic

This is Qatar :(

By anonymous• 18 Jun 2010 10:13
anonymous

Carmen...Car men...did anybody point you to the Toyota service center? I wouldnt be surprised if they did...lol

By qatarisun• 18 Jun 2010 08:21
qatarisun

pearl of qatar.. don't you know yet, that events in Qatar get "announced" upon their completion, and never in advance?

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