Finnish gastronomy, music take centre stage at Katara cultural event

Doha, Qatar: Yesterday, the Embassy of Finland in Qatar hosted a food-tasting event at the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) to showcase Finnish gastronomy and cultural heritage, underscoring the strengthening ties between Qatar and Finland. The Finland Week celebration provided attendees with a taste of traditional Finnish dishes and an introduction to the country's culinary customs.

Embassy Ambassador Juha Mustonen emphasized the significance of cultural exchange in fostering mutual understanding and fortifying bilateral relations between the two nations. He expressed gratitude to General Manager of Katara Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti for his ongoing support of Finnish cultural endeavors in Qatar.

Mustonen recounted that during his tenure in Qatar, Prof Al-Sulaiti has been a devoted advocate of culture. The evening included a Finnish culinary experience, followed by Finnish jazz music at the Katara European Jazz Festival later in the week. Mustonen defined Finnish cuisine as simple, pure, and deeply connected to nature, highlighting the abundance of wild mushrooms, berries, and fresh fish in Finland.

Traditional Finnish delicacies, such as karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pastry) and korvapuusti (cinnamon roll), were introduced to the guests. The Ambassador underscored that sharing meals is more than just about food; it represents hospitality and friendship, much like in Finland. The event also featured Finnish saxophonist and composer Pekka Pylkkänen, who has performed over 2,500 concerts across more than 70 countries, and a presentation on the historical links between Qatar and Finland dating back 180 years.