1st Latin American Cultural Festival (LACF)

Do not miss the 1^st Latin American Cultural Festival (LACF) TOMORROW!. 

Que comience la fiesta!

Last Monday 3^rd Oct, the president of Katara (Cultural Village of Qatar) Abdulrahman al-Khulaifi officially announce the start of the 1^st Latin American Cultural Festival (LACF) in Qatar, he expressed his joy and immense pride about the event, “The Middle East and Latin America share a deep cultural wealth” he said, and Katara’s mission is to conduct cross-cultural events. He welcomed and appreciated the participation of the Latin American Embassies for supporting this initiative.

The Embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela will showcase the best of music, dance and film of their culture (We hope many others Latin American countries will join this festival next year) bringing to us over 230 artist and performers.

A Video was shown about every country, to have an idea of what the festival is going to be, and I can tell you is going to be OUTSTANDING! Not only because I am Latina and I love all of this J is because this festival will be full of color, rhythms, dancing, drama, singing, among other and I consider we are very good at all of this. The video made me sing and it was just the video, can you imagine? I am so exited!

* Ambassador Jose Luis Remedi (Uruguay): Thanked the Emir of Qatar for his vision to unite all Latinos and let us show the Qatari people our culture through this amazing festival, Katara and all groups involved in organizing and producing this event.

Music Show: “Tango vivo” The best of Uruguayan’s actual tango scene.

When: Sat 8^th Oct, 9:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

“Ruben Rada” Afro-Uruguayan style of music which combines the sounds of three drums, chico, repique and piano.

When: Sun 9^th Oct, 9:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Film: El bano del Papa: The film was nominated for the Best foreign film at the Oscars and presentation at the Cannes Festival 2007.

When: Fri 14^th Oct, 6:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 30

* Ambassador Javier Escalante-Madrigal (Costa Rica): Very grateful for the initiative of the Qatari society and the opportunity given to us, and with the hope that this festival becomes a tradition that continues each year.

Music Show: “Editus” Their music styles basically are modern and traditional jazz is three times Grammy awarded Band (Best Latin Pop Presentation, Best World music album and Best Tropical Contemporary Album)

When: Tue 11^th Oct, 9:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Dance Show: Banda de conciertos de Limon

When: Wed 12^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Film: A ojos cerrados

When: Sat 15^th Oct, 8:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 30

* Ambassador Armando Vergara Bueno (Cuba) thanked the President of Katara and staff of this opportunity, which he esteems as a gift to us, being able to share our culture with the Qatari society and hopes also to bring knowledge about Qatari culture to his country Cuba.

Music Show: “Pancho Amat y su Cabildo del son” master of the Cuban tres, a three stringed instrument; he has raised the three as a concert instrument through the linking of concepts of classical music and jazz. 

When: Thu 6^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Circus Show: “Circuba” Cuba’s national circus

When: Fri 7^th Oct, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm NEW SCHEDULE!

Where: Drama Theater

Adults: QAR 50

Kids: QAR 30

Film: Viva Cuba

When: Sat 8^th Oct, 11:00 am

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 30

* Second Secretary Fernando Centeno (Venezuela) thanked the President of Katara and staff for inviting Venezuela to participate in this amazing event. He hopes the festival meets the expectations of all participants and would like to continue sharing Venezuela culture with the Qatari society.

Music Show: “Serenata Guayanesa” Traditional Venezuela folk music.

When: Sun 9^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

“Cheo Hurtado” one of the most celebrated performers of the Cuatro (Stringed Instrument)

When: Thu 13^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Film: Tocar y luchar

When: Fri 14^th Oct, 4:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 30

* Ambassadors Victor Manuel Lagos Pizzati (El Salvador) Thanks to Katara and the organizers working behind the scene, making this event possible; he highlighted the world-class facilities he found for the festival.

He is more than happy to participated in this event where Latin American cultures show their differences and similarities.

Dance Show: Ballet Folklorico de el Salvador

When: Tue 11^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Film: Llevarte al mar: The film was awarded Documentary Production Award in 2006 from Cinergia.

When: Fri 14^th Oct, 2:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 30

* Ambassador Anuar Nahes (Brazil) Thanked Katara for investing in culture development; he also expressed his excitement about being part of the union of Latin American cultures through this great event.

Closing Ceremony Music Show: “Jorge Ben Jor” Traditional Venezuela folk music.

When: Fri 14^th Oct, 8:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Music Show: “Familia Assad” Traditional Venezuela folk music.

When: Sat 8^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

“Brazilian Carnival”

When: Wed 12^th Oct, 9:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Film: Dois filhos de Francisco

When: Fri 7^th Oct, 5:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 30

* Deputy chief of mission Cesar Aristegui (Peru) thanked for the opportunity gave it to the Latin countries to be known in Qatar; He is very happy to participate in this festival due to The Embassy of Peru recently was established in march this year, “Is an honor to be able to present the film Una sombra al frente (Crossing a Shadow)

Film: “Una sombra al frente” The film was shortlisted in 2008 for an Academy award for best foreign language film.

When: Sat 15^th Oct, 5:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 30

* Ambassador Hugo Guiliani Cury (Dominican Republic): "You will have the greatest show here, is a good opportunity to link Western Hemisphere with the Persian Gulf, Do not miss it!"

Opening night Music Show: “Johnny Ventura” is one of the most successful musicians of Latin America; his music style is an alternative take on Merengue performed alongside an Orchestra.

When: Thu 6^th Oct, 9:00 pm

Where: Drama Theater

QAR 50

Music Show: “Caribbean Gems Classical Concert ”

When: Mon 10^th Oct, 7:00 pm

Where: Opera House

QAR 100 and QAR 200

Tickets for all performances can be purchased and are available @ Virgin Megastores during store operating hours (from 9:30am – 12midnight) at both Landmark and Villaggio outlets. They can also be purchased online