Robust Legacy Programming Planned as Years of Culture Initiative Marks its 10-Year Anniversary 

27 April 2022, Doha, Qatar – “Manga Style!” is back and looking for visual storytellers to share their perspectives on the multicultural facets of life in Qatar. To mark the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan, and as part of robust cultural ties firmly established during the Qatar-Japan 2012 Year of Culture, the Qatar Museums Years of Culture initiative launched the second edition of “Manga Style!” in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Qatar and Geekdom – Doha Film Institute. The competition invites Qatari and resident manga enthusiasts to submit visually dynamic stories that showcase both countries’ cultures under the theme of “Friendship”. 

Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy, Qatar Museums said, “The Years of Culture initiative has established a rich legacy of cooperation between Qatar and the 10 countries that have partnered with us in the decade since the initiative was launched. We are particularly honoured to have built long-lasting ties with our very first Year of Culture partner – Japan – that have only grown over the past decade.”

The ”Manga Style!” competition is an opportunity to bring together two distinct cultural legacies steeped in rich storytelling practices – the Arab world’s renowned oral storytelling traditions brought to life through vibrant manga-style illustrations. Manga are a series of comics or graphic novels. Most manga follow a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century and are rooted in even earlier Japanese artforms. The term manga is used in Japan to refer to both comics and cartooning. 

Original stories can be submitted in Arabic or English through the Years of Culture website (yearsofculture.qa) from early May through July 31, 2022. Entries are free and applicants can submit up to three different stories. Each entry should be a minimum of 16 pages.

All entries will be collected and shared with Qatar Museums’ Curatorial Team and undergo a comprehensive review. Representatives from Qatar Museums, the Embassy of Qatar in Tokyo, the Embassy of Japan in Qatar, and Geekdom – Doha Film Institute will round out the Judging Panel. Winners will be announced on the Years of Culture website (yearsofculture.qa) and social media by displaying a digital copy of their winning stories in early September. 

The 1st place winner will receive a cash prize of QAR 20,000, the 2nd place winner will receive QAR 15,000 and the 3rd place winner will receive QAR 10,000. Competition partner Geekdom – Doha Film Institute will share copies of the winners’ manga during the next gathering in November. Additional partnerships and prizes will be announced on the Years of Culture website and social media channels from through the course of the competition (May-July, 2022). 

- End -

About Years of Culture 

Culture is one of the most effective tools to bring people closer together, encourage dialogue, and deepen understanding between nations. 

Under the leadership of its Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums (QM) developed the annual “Years of Culture” initiative — an international cultural exchange that deepens understanding between nations and their people. Though formal programming lasts only one year, the ties of friendship that are strengthened and formed are long-lasting. 

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the 2022 Year of Culture will offer programming from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). 

The Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022 will include countries and communities from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022 has been developed in collaboration with leading organizations in Qatar, including Doha Film Institute, Education Above All, Katara Cultural Village, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Charity, Qatar Football Association, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Museums, Qatar National Library, Qatar National Tourism Council, Qatar Olympic Committee, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, with assistance from Doha-based embassies of participating countries. 

The Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture is supported by Qatar Airways. 

Previous Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russia 2018, Qatar-India 2019, Qatar-France 2020, and Qatar-USA 2021. Past sponsors include Vodafone, Qatar Gas, Shell, Ooredoo, Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Lulu Group International, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Petroleum, and ExxonMobil. 

Follow and tag Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture on: @yearsofculture, #yearsofculture #QatarMENASA2022

About Qatar Museums 

Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors. 

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar. 

Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure. 

Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
 

FIND US ONLINE:

Qatar Museums
Twitter: @Qatar_Museums | Instagram: @Qatar_Museums | Facebook: @QatarMuseums
 

Media Relations

Federica Zuccarini
T. +974 4402 8510
fzuccarini@qm.org.qa