Doha, Qatar: The Library Department, in collaboration with the Literature Department under the Liberal Arts Division, hosted “Cultural Day: Embassy Forum,” welcoming wide participation from embassies, educational institutions, and cultural organisations.
The event attracted strong engagement from students, academic and administrative staff, as well as members of the wider community with an interest in cultural exchange.
The initiative reflects the College’s commitment to global engagement and to fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and cultural coexistence within an active learning environment. Designed as an immersive on-campus experience, the Embassy Forum offered students the opportunity to explore diverse cultures through interactive exhibits and live engagement, bringing the world’s cultures directly into the campus space.
A central feature of the event was an exhibition displaying the participation of eight embassies: the United States of America, Kuwait, Egypt, China, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Turkey. Each pavilion highlighted the unique cultural identity of its country through traditional attire, cuisine, handicrafts, and curated visual displays documenting history and heritage. Embassy representatives engaged directly with students and visitors, sharing cultural insights, answering questions, and encouraging open conversations around shared values and cultural diversity.
The opening ceremony included a welcoming performance by Hajar Primary Independent School For Girls, offering an artistic expression of diversity and harmony that set the tone for the day. This was followed by a keynote lecture titled “The Role of Civilizational Openness in Strengthening Cultural Awareness and Bringing Peoples Closer,” delivered by Dr. Nader Ismail from the Literature Department. His address emphasised the importance of cultural exchange in dismantling stereotypes and highlighted the role of educational institutions in preparing students for meaningful intercultural dialogue.
The programme continued with a Palestinian heritage performance presented by the Palestinian School in collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy. The performance reflected themes of identity, memory, and belonging, presenting cultural heritage as a living expression of resilience and human continuity.
An Egyptian folkloric performance followed, organised in cooperation between the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Egyptian School. The presentation showcased the richness and diversity of Egyptian culture, drawing enthusiastic interaction from the audience.
The event also featured a poetry and vocal performance presented in collaboration with the Syrian Embassy and the Syrian Cultural Association. Blending spoken word and music, the performance offered a moving reflection of Syrian cultural depth and artistic expression.
The Cultural Day concluded with a guided tour of the exhibition led by Dr. Khalid Al-Horr, President of the College. During the tour, he met with embassy representatives and students, reaffirming the College’s support for initiatives that broaden students’ perspectives and transform cultural learning into lived experience. He noted that Cultural Day aligns with the College’s strategic focus on integrating cultural engagement into education and cultivating an academic environment that encourages critical thinking, openness, and respect for diversity.
