Doha, January 09 (QNA) - Qatar Photography Center, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, opened today the "City Speaks" exhibition in collaboration with the Global Photographic Union (GPU). The exhibition, which runs through end of January, is being held at the center's headquarters in the Katara Cultural Village.

The exhibition offers a unique visual experience, bringing together a select group of international photographers and showcasing an artistic dialogue that connects diverse cultures and urban environments around the world, thus reinforcing Doha's position as a vibrant hub for international photographic creativity.

On this occasion, Deputy Director of Qatar Photography Center, Abdulaziz Al Kubaisi affirmed that the opening of the "City Speaks" exhibition represents a qualitative leap for the center, as it is the fruit of a strategic collaboration with the Global Photographic Union (GPU).

Al Kubaisi also revealed the signing of an agreement that designates the Qatar Photography Center as the official representative of the Global Photographic Union in the region, noting that this step is part of a vision to enhance Qatar's presence at international events.

Regarding the exhibition's artistic vision, Al Kubaisi explained that "City Speaks" offers an unconventional visual experience, featuring 96 international photographs arranged in 48 paired panels. This curatorial approach aims to highlight a sense of connection and integration between images that may differ geographically, yet converge within a single artistic context, allowing viewers to explore the hidden links and shared aesthetics among the world's cities.

He noted that the exhibition focuses primarily on "people's lives" and their daily details, highlighting the harmony between historical buildings and modern urban development. He explained that the ultimate goal is to present a comprehensive panoramic view that reflects the rituals of cities and the stories of their inhabitants, making the exhibition a window through which people can read each other's stories via the lens.

For his part, President of the Global Photographic Union (GPU), Manolis Mitzakis expressed his pride in the launch of the "City Speaks" exhibition in the heart of Doha, emphasizing that the exhibition celebrates the close ties that bind global cities.

He said that the collaboration with the Qatar Photography Center represents a strategic step towards building bridges of human connection through the language of images, and promoting photography as a means of understanding and dialogue between cultures.

"This exhibition is not merely a space for display, but a vibrant forum for the exchange of knowledge, a bridge connecting creators from all over the world, and a platform open to new voices and diverse perspectives," he added.

He emphasized that the choice of Doha was not accidental, but rather because it is a city that embodies the spirit of international encounter and dialogue, affirming the Union's philosophy that "photography may not change the world on its own, but it undoubtedly changes the way we see this world." (QNA)