On the Occasion of World Photography Day: Qatar Honored Creators, Strengthened Role of Arts

World Photography Day

Today (Friday), the world celebrates the photo, photographers, photographic arts, sciences, and tools; and restores on August 19 of each year the heritage of this human discovery and contemplates its present and future aspects on World Photography Day, especially that the photo represents a tool of knowledge, documentation, and a source of facts about society and nature, in addition to representing utility and beauty.

On this occasion, officials, experts, and creators pointed out - in their statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) - Qatar's efforts and pioneering role in sponsoring the arts of photography and photographers and the prestigious awards it has dedicated to them. They shed light on the great achievement of Qatari photographers locally, regionally, and internationally and the preparations of the institutions and creators to express the potentials of social, cultural, and artistic renaissance in Qatar during its hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

One of the main efforts reflecting the development in this field and the continuity of generations that serve the cultural and artistic development in Qatar, Qatar Photo Festival "Tasweer". The festival represents an extension of giving and includes program that is rich in events as it includes exhibitions and the Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Awards which celebrates the creativity of photographers and photography enthusiasts in Qatar and around the world. The Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Awards commemorates the life and work of Sheikh Saoud bin Mohamed bin Ali Al-Thani, who served as Chairman of National Council for Art, Culture and Heritage from 1997 - 2005 and created the first award for photography 20 years ago.

In his statement to QNA, Director Of Qatar Photo Festival Tasweer Khalifa Al Obaidly elaborated the role of the award and the festival in enriching the cultural life and enhancing the role of photographic arts. He said that the festival management will announce - withing two months - the opening of applications for the 2023 Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Photography Awards which is organized in partnership with Sheikh Saud Al-Thani foundation. Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Photography Awards include two categories, the first is Single Image Award, a competition directed to talented people who are passionate about photography and students to express their ideas and their worlds through a photographic camera or a phone camera, and to compete in presenting the best photo or group of photos that bear artistic ideas and document special moments, provided that the jury will choose ten winners to participate in the award exhibition that will be held next year.

The second category is related to photographic projects, for which a financial grant of 30 thousand riyals is allocated to the best projects submitted to the competition. It attracts the category of experienced and professional photographers with great experience in the Middle East and West Asia to present their existing projects or photographic projects that they plan to complete. This grant provides financial support, guidance, and direction by our specialized team.

Al Obaidly stressed that this competition aims to discovering new photographic talents, build bridges of communication between artists, and display their ideas and projects in various parts of Qatar and its institutions. He pointed out that the winning and participating works of last year edition were displayed in art gallery in Qatar Foundation student center, Hammad Hospital lobbies, and Doha Tower, saying that the results of the next competition will be displayed next year in special places for the public to see.

He pointed out that the Qatar Photography Center of the Ministry of Culture works to develop and enhance the skills of professional photographers and to move trainees from the hobby stage to professionalism, encourage them to paticipate in local and international competitions, improve photography and provide appropriate conditions for its practice by scientific, technical methods and means, as well as create all possible means for the members of the center to practice their activities through plans and programs to develop capabilities and motivate the talented.

In a similar statement to QNA, Vice-President of Qatar Photography Cente Ahmed Khaled Al Ansari elaborated the efforts exerted by the center to sponsor Qatari photographers; showcase their work in international forums; and reflect Qatar's culture, heritage, and environment before and during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He stressed the completion of preparations to launch a group of individual and joint art exhibitions highlighting the sporting renaissance in the country and its sports landmarks during September, to highlight the aesthetics of the World Cup stadiums and document Qatar's hosting of tournaments, teams, athletes, cultural, and creative events accompanying the FIFA Arab Cup 2021.

He said that during September the center will organize a solo exhibition for the Qatari artist Jassim Al Buainain at the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, reflecting the aesthetics of sports and its symbols in Qatar.

On the center's participation during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Ansari said that during the World Cup activities in November and until the end of next December, the center will set up photography studios documenting the event, as well as individual and joint art exhibitions, adding that in the framework of developing the capabilities of photographers, the center organizes joint programs with the state's institutions, including Qatar Charity and Qitaf Educational Company, and has concluded agreements with International photographic companies such as Canon, Nikon, Fuji, and Sony.

(QNA)