Top: Tracy K Castro Aguilar and Fatima Al Dosari; Down: Elizabeth Yaw and Bosco Menezes
Qatar: Qatar’s popular community outreach initiative, #bigbmeetup celebrated American Independence Day on its 54th episode of the weekly virtual #bigbmeetup. This episode was significant, as it celebrated the American holiday during the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
The virtual event hosted Tracy K Castro Aguilar, Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy in Doha; Elizabeth Yaw, President of the American Women’s Association of Qatar; and Fatima Al Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar America Institute for Culture in Washington.
The event commemorated the 245th anniversary of the United States of America. Tracy Castro Aguilar briefed audiences on the holiday’s significance and shared various initiatives and events that the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar Museums, and partners have hosted and are conducting during the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
She adds, "The US Embassy in Doha is honored to have partners like Qatar Museums, the American Women's Association Qatar, the Qatar America Institute for Culture in Washington, D.C., Katara Cultural Village, Qatar Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and others to plan exciting events like the Seagrass Tales, Dugong Tails at the National Museum of Qatar, VCU student-led exhibition at the W Doha, a film festival with Doha Film Institute, cultural exchanges through folk art, and concerts at Qatar National Library. The Year of Culture will culminate with one of the most exciting events this year – the Qatar-USA Festival at Katara, which will feature art, food, music, films, and more. I encourage everyone to mark their calendars and follow @USEmbassyDoha on social media for updates about these upcoming events."
Elizabeth Yaw shared patriotic traditions from her hometown in the United States. The American Women’s Association of Qatar plays a vital role within the diverse expatriate community in Qatar. She said, “The American Women’s Association of Qatar has been bridging cultures, building community and cultivating friendships since 1979. It was a pleasure to be hosted by founder of #bigbmeetup Bosco on his 54th show. It truly brings communities together especially during these covid times.”
Fatima Al Dosari, executive director at the Qatar America Institue for Culture ( QAIC) had this to say, “We appreciated the opportunity to meet with old and new friends and partners through the BigBMeetUp Series on the 4th of July. It was symbolic in a sense as 4th of July is a holiday Americans gather to celebrate liberty and unity, two landmarks in the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture logo as well. In that light, I was thrilled to represent my organization, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC), and our mission of connecting creatives. BigBMeetUp falls within our mission of connecting creatives near and far. My team and I are thankful for such initiatives."
Founder and Host of the #bigbmeetup Bosco Menezes said “Our team at #bigbmeetup are very pleased to have hosted three wonderful personalities that epitomize the cultural diversity and togetherness of Qatar and USA both here in Qatar and in the United States. It is imperative to bring communities together through culture, art, sport, and dialogue. Now more than ever during this unprecedented pandemic times, I look forward to many more collaborations with QAIC, AWAQ, and the US Embassy in Doha through the four themes of #bigbmeetup which are: Celebrating Art, Estedama (Arabic for Sustainability), Sports & Wellness, and This Ability (championing people who are differently-abled).”
