Ambassador Al-Hamar on 50 years of Qatar-Korea relations and Qatar's cultural diplomacy

Korea Herald

14-04-2025

The recent performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Seoul was more than an evening of music — it was a vivid expression of the deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and Korea.
Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the concert struck a symbolic high note in a year filled with cross-cultural engagement.
Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Korea, described the event as a bridge between two cultures — one that brought the Qatari spirit to Korean audiences not through words or treaties, but through music.
'This performance, presented by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, was a channel of communication between peoples,' he said, adding that the concert "offers a glimpse into the development witnessed by the State of Qatar in all fields, especially the cultural field,' he said.
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Wilson Ng, took the stage over the weekend with top Korean artists, singer Sumi Jo and pianist Park Jae-hong.
Founded in 2008, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising 96 musicians from more than 30 countries, has emerged as a central institution in the country's efforts to cultivate and export culture.
With a mission to blend Arab musical heritage with international repertoires, the orchestra has become both a national emblem and a diplomatic envoy, the ambassador explained. Its recent performance in Seoul was not only a celebration of Qatar's artistic evolution, but also a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries, he added.
That friendship, once anchored in trade and energy, has steadily expanded into education, tourism and increasingly, the arts, the ambassador said. In recent years, cultural ties have accelerated, with Qatari and Korean institutions hosting exhibitions, musical events and collaborative programs.
The orchestra's visit followed a series of cultural initiatives marking the 50th anniversary, including Qatar Day at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, a translated book on Qatari heritage released in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and a children's art contest co-hosted with the Multicultural Museum.
Al-Hamar points to these efforts as part of a broader strategy — one that sees culture as an essential component of diplomacy. Qatar's approach to cultural diplomacy is deeply institutional, built on major investments in museums, heritage preservation and global arts initiatives.
Landmark institutions such as the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art not only reflect the nation's cultural identity but also function as tools of soft power on the world stage, according to the ambassador.
One of Qatar's most prominent cultural platforms is the Years of Culture program, which partners annually with another country for a curated season of cultural exchange. Past partnerships have featured Japan, China and Indonesia. Ambassador Al-Hamar expressed strong interest in launching a Qatar-Korea Year of Culture, which would further solidify the foundation laid by events like the recent concert.
Looking ahead, Al-Hamar was optimistic about the future of Qatar-Korea cultural relations.
'Qatari-Korean relations can now be described as advanced, solid, and based on mutual interests and benefits, yet open to further development. Although these relations were initially based solely on economics and trade, in recent years they have evolved into comprehensive, complementary relations across various fields, including culture," he said.