Katara European Jazz Festival continues with free concerts until Nov 7

The activities of the tenth edition of the Katara European Jazz Festival 2026, which will continue until November 7, kicked off on Wednesday evening, with the participation of nine European countries, in addition to the Qatar Music Academy, in an artistic celebration that reflects the diversity of music schools and confirms the festival's position as a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between peoples.

On the sidelines of the festival, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Director General of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, and a number of Their Excellencies Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions to the State of Qatar, inaugurated the photography exhibition by Portuguese photographer Rosa Reis, which documents moments from previous editions of the Katara European Jazz Festival, in the presence of Her Excellency Ana Filomena da Costa Rocha, Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal to the State of Qatar.

Held on the Katara Corniche, near Gates 20 and 21, the festival will feature from Italy, Austria, France, Finland, Malta, Hungary, Spain, Germany and Cyprus, and will feature a series of concerts over four days that combine classical and contemporary jazz, blending European, Arabic and Latin rhythms into musical experiences that reflect the richness of the art form and its ability to interact with different cultures.

The first day kicked off with a musical performance by the Qatar Music Academy, with the participation of forty musicians, including musicians, teachers, students, and the Qatari Youth Choir. The show combined classical jazz, Arabic melodies and Latin rhythms, while employing the flute and Arabic percussion instruments, in a musical experience that expresses the convergence of local and international musical heritage.

The inaugural program also included a concert by the Elias Farfra Quartet from France, led by French-Algerian saxophonist Elias Farfra, which offers a musical experience inspired by North African rhythms and American and Latin jazz traditions, along with French musical influences, in an artistic blend that combines originality and innovation.

The tenth edition is of particular importance, as it is a new milestone in the festival's journey, which has established its presence in the international cultural events hosted by Katara, and has contributed throughout its previous editions to introduce the public to various musical experiences, and enhance cultural cooperation with the embassies of the participating European countries.

The festival will continue tomorrow, Thursday, with three concerts representing different artistic experiences, from Austria, Germany and Cyprus.

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