Full transcription of the article “Preparations complete for start of 5th Katara European Jazz Festival” published by the Gulf Times, on November 5th and wrote by Joey Aguilar.
A selection of renowned European musicians will be performing in Doha for the 5th Katara European Jazz Festival from tomorrow until November 10.
The event, organised by Katara – the Cultural Village in co-operation with embassies of 13 European countries in Doha (Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium and Italy), will also see popular composers performing their best hits.
“Organising this festival at Katara for the fifth year in a row adds to the cultural scene in Qatar and exposes visitors to a significant form of music and culture” said Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti.
He stressed Katara’s keenness in holding “such important international events,” citing the success of the festivals’ previous editions and the increasing number of participants annually.
Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano described the festival as one of the most anticipated musical events in Doha aimed at encouraging cultural co-operation and mutual understanding.
“We are proud that the festival has grown bigger and bigger every year, up to become a key event in the local cultural panorama,” the envoy said, as he thanked Dr al-Sulaiti and Katara for supporting such as ambitious initiative.
Salzano also thanked Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar al-Baker for the airline’s “generous support” to the annual festival.
“Music is harmony, colour, and energy. It plays a central role in life by communicating feelings and expressing the inner part of human soul,” he said. “Music is entertainment and joy, and contributes to build bonds among peoples, mixing different cultures and creating a universal language.”
“Jazz is indeed the best example we can offer to promote intercultural exchange. As one of the most significant musical phenomenon of the 20th century, jazz represents a fusion of rhythm and improvisation, a melting pot of cultures that blends Afro-american and European musical sensibilities,” the envoy noted.
The embassy proposes to bring Max Ionata Trio, a group formed by three champions of Italian jazz popular abroad, whose performances with sax, bass and drums reflect a vibrant dialogue among three creative spirits. Their harmony makes their music always entertaining and full of surprises for the audience.
“According to a great jazzman, Ray Brown, ‘Jazz is something you have to feel, something you have to live’,” Salzano said.
