DOHA: Qatar will deliver an amazing World Cup, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said yesterday.
She was speaking at the opening panel discussion of 'The New York Times Art for Tomorrow' conference on "Culture - Towards a New Urban Agenda."
H E Sheikha Al Mayassa was answering a question asked by The New York Times columnist Roger Cohen, moderator of the panel, on whether she worries about disruptions, controversies and tensions as the city sees fast-paced urban development.
"I think the decision-making process is a very collaborative one. If we take the example of the stadiums for 2022, it's a group of people working on the stadium designs and so forth and proposing them to government entities to make final decision. I think all the decision-making is very democratic and very collaborative so I think there's no worry in that area, instead we are very excited and the more the press attacks Qatar for hosting the World Cup, the more excited we are to host an amazing World Cup," she said.
She said there are many stakeholders but "the vision is one in terms of developing and preserving our culture so we are looking forward to hosting the World Cup in 2022."
Although preparations for World Cup have brought a host of innovations, she admitted it has had a share of controversies.
"It has already brought a lot of innovative and interesting architects but at the same time it has caused controversy. There's the Zaha Hadid building which everybody didn't like but we liked it so we went ahead and we're starting to construct Al Wakrah Stadium. I think art is a matter of taste, just like fashion and anything else and It would be interesting in 10 years' time to see the results of our innovative efforts today."
On bringing in contemporary art from around the world as the country witnesses tension between local and global and between tradition and innovation, she said: "I think as a nation that's' growing very quickly, embracing global culture and joining in the narrative of global art, it is quite obvious for us to bring in contemporary artists. That doesn't mean that we are trying to create controversial moments as you have expressed, I think that's the trending media comment but that is completely opposite to what we are trying to do.
"In fact We are trying to bring contemporary artists here to inspire young artists to see what's happening around the world because not everybody can travel around the world but we can organize exhibitions from the world, and that's what we have tried to do and will continue to do so with complete respect for our tradition and conservative culture."
Asked on her view on cultural vandalism in conflict areas where there is rampant destruction of world heritage sites and historical buildings, she said "I think the situation is very sad to see historical buildings that belong to the world being destroyed. But I think the bottom line is economic factors that are leading people to act in this way. I hope one can preserve what is left."
She agreed on the view that destruction of heritage sites is more economic than ideological.
"I believe it is. I mean if you don't have anything to survive on, nothing really matters...I think anywhere in the world, if there is economic stability there is no reason for political movements that go against progress," she added.
© The Peninsula 2016
