Latest news with #QatarMuseums
Qatar Tribune
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Last chance to view Spring 2025 exhibitions at Mathaf museum
Tribune News Network Doha Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is inviting the public to experience its current exhibitions before they close on August 9, 2025. On view since April 19, the three exhibitions — Qatar: Close to my Soul – Art from the Collection of Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani; Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices; and Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination — are part of the Qatar Creates Spring/Summer 2025 season. Qatar: Close to my Soul, Art from the Collection of Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani exhibition presents paintings, sculptures and installations alongside archival materials that collectively tell the story and history of Qatari art, artists and movements. Featuring a number of significant works and artists, the exhibition highlights the diverse artistic approaches that have emerged across generations since the 1960s. The exhibition is curated by Fatma Mostafawi. Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices exhibition, curated by Matthieu Orléan, features the works of more than 40 filmmakers and video artists from across the Arab world, Africa, Southeast Asia, and other areas within the Global South. The exhibition explores themes of exile, migration and the complex dynamics of transnational crossings, taking visitors through seven galleries, each with its own theme. This includes deserts (cradles of civilisation and places of rebirth), ruins (relics of culture), borders (demarcations between allowed and forbidden places) and exile. Produced by Qatar Museums, in collaboration with Media City Qatar the featured films have been co-financed or initiated by Doha Film Institute and are on view alongside video works from the collections of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and the future Art Mill Museum. Lastly, the Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination exhibition is dedicated to the late Qatari artist who was known for her experimentation with abstraction and Arabic letter. Al-Hamad's works showcase paintings of figures and landscapes incorporating vibrant colours and organic shapes while also paying homage to Qatari traditions. The exhibition also highlights other pioneering Arab female artists, including Madiha Omar, Nadira Mahmoud, Balqees Fakhro, Samia Halaby, Naziha Salem and Helen Khal. The exhibition is curated by Lina Ramadan. To know more, visit Opening Hours: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 9am–7pm Monday: Closed ThursdaycTypeface:> 9am–9pm Friday: 1:30pm–7pm This year, Qatar Museums is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the National Museum of Qatar is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This milestone year is marked by Evolution Nation—an 18-month campaign celebrating Qatar's cultural journey, from the founding of the National Museum to the thriving ecosystem of institutions we proudly represent today.
ILoveQatar.net
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ILoveQatar.net
Cures, Remedies, and Recipes: Treasures of MIA Library
The MIA Library is pleased to present a unique rare book display, Cures, Remedies, and Recipes: Medical Manuscripts in the MIA Library, exploring historical perspectives on medicine, healing, and wellness. This exhibit will showcase a selection of rare books and manuscripts, including some never-before-displayed works from the MIA Gastronomy Collection. Date and Time: July 2025 - 8 November 2025 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Saturday at 9:00 AM –7:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Friday: 1:30 PM –7:00 PM Source and cover image credit: Qatar Museums Note: The details mentioned in this event listing are sourced from the organizers' official announcements and are subject to change. Please check with the organizer directly before making plans.
ILoveQatar.net
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ILoveQatar.net
Escape Room: The Banquet of Secrets
Join Qatar's first museum escape room experience. Featuring rooms within rooms that immerse participants in the rich legacy of Islamic scholarship, this experience invites guests to journey through interconnected chambers themed around four key figures: the Islamic Traveller, Cook, Physician, and Calligrapher. Each space reveals hidden knowledge and layered narratives—whether exploring ancient medical practices, culinary traditions, celestial discoveries, or the art of the pen. Along the way, visitors will have an adventure where they will try to find lost spices, ingredients, recipes, and medicines to be able to have the privilege to attend the secret banquet with the Sultan. Date and Time: July – 20 December 2025 Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 3 pm, 4:30 pm & 6 pm respectively Register here. Source and cover image credit: Qatar Museums Note: The details mentioned in this event listing are sourced from the organizers' official announcements and are subject to change. Please check with the organizer directly before making plans.
Qatar Tribune
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Museums celebrates 20th anniversary & 50 years of NMoQ
Tribune News Network DOHA Qatar Museums (QM) has participated in the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where it celebrated its 20th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). Under the theme of 'More than Museums', QM hosted a special event and reception marking the two major anniversaries, where participants reflected on Qatar's longstanding commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy and dialogue, and the nation's forward-looking commitment to transforming museums into dynamic platforms for creativity, education, heritage and innovation. 'These momentous anniversaries are a testament to the vision of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and the path for national development laid out by Father Amir and the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,' said Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums. 'For more than half a century, our nation has been committed to culture as a catalyst for dialogue, bridging the gaps between people and cultivating local and regional talent to present on the world's stages. As we mark the 20th anniversary of Qatar Museums, we are continuing a creative journey in which culture is not only preserved but lived, shared, and continually reimagined.' The gathering in Paris brought together cultural leaders, diplomats, and international stakeholders, including HE Dr Nasser Al Hinzab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO. A series of keynote speeches and presentations, including remarks by Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi charting the growth and development of QM and the National Museum of Qatar, paid tribute to the continued transformation of Qatar's cultural landscape and QM's pivotal role in shaping it. HE Dr Nasser Al Hinzab said: 'Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Museum of Qatar during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2025 reflects the State of Qatar's efforts to promote its national heritage and place it on the global map of culture and development through UNESCO's cultural conventions and programs. These efforts continue in coordination with Qatar Museums to support the Sustainable Development Goals related to heritage and to empower the local community to safeguard Qatar's cultural and natural heritage.' 'We are immensely proud to see the National Museum of Qatar recognised as part of UNESCO's anniversaries list, which stands as an acknowledgment of its meaningful contribution to the global cultural, heritage, and museum landscape,' said Dr Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, Director of International Cooperation & Government Affairs at Qatar Museums and Qatar's National Expert to UNESCO. Founded in 1975 as the Qatar National Museum, the first national museum in the Gulf, the National Museum of Qatar is dedicated to expressing and preserving Qatar's national identity, history, and heritage. Its striking building, designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, and cutting-edge galleries immerse visitors in Qatar's ongoing national story, bringing it to life for both the Qatari people and visitors from around the globe. 'The National Museum of Qatar has grown into a space where tradition meets innovation and where the voices of our people, past and present, can be heard and celebrated,' said Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar. The museum's cultural significance was underscored this year with its inclusion in the UNESCO Anniversaries Programme and its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List—a major step towards achieving full recognition. Since its establishment in 2005, Qatar Museums has become the umbrella institution for institutions including the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; creative hubs including M7 and the Doha Fire Station that support emerging artists and designers working in creative industries; an expansive public art programme that presents world-class artwork by local, regional and international artists across the country; and cultural heritage sites that testify to Qatar's history.
Qatar Tribune
12-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Al Zubarah Fort: A symbol of Qatar's cultural legacy
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic symbols of Qatar's rich history, continues to captivate visitors with its preserved architecture, educational displays, and cultural resonance. Visitors to the site have expressed their admiration for the recent improvements that have transformed the fort from a static monument into a dynamic educational experience. From detailed interpretive signage to high-tech digital tablets that narrate the fort's storied past, Al Zubarah Fort is rapidly becoming a flagship for heritage tourism in Qatar. 'The improvements are remarkable,' said Ali Al Blushi, a Qatari national visiting the fort with friends. 'You can feel the spirit of our ancestors here. The newly added historical panels and photos of old Qatari homes show the harsh conditions our forefathers endured. This is not just tourism, this is identity.' The fort's recent developments, overseen by Qatar Museums and supported by the leadership of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reflect the country's broader commitment to safeguarding and promoting its cultural heritage. Qatar has been investing significantly in historical preservation, not merely as a cultural obligation but as a strategic pillar of national development. Technology meets tradition One of the most notable additions to Al Zubarah fort is the integration of digital tablets that allow visitors to access information on key features of the fort, the history of the surrounding town, and Qatar's role in regional trade networks of the 18th and 19th centuries. 'This is a major leap in heritage education,' said Ahmad Al Maadhid, another visitor to the fort. 'The tablet allows me to engage with the site in multiple languages. It's especially helpful for tourists who want to understand our story but may not be able to read Arabic.' Qatar Museums has also equipped the site with multi-language signage, security presence to deter inappropriate behaviour, and infrastructure such as shaded seating, clean restrooms, and designated photography zones, features that collectively enhance the visitor experience. 'The combination of tradition and technology makes this place accessible and engaging,' Al Maadhid added. 'It's a model that could be replicated in other heritage sites across the Gulf.' Youth engagement and social media appeal Younger generations are particularly drawn to the site, not just for its historical value but for its aesthetic appeal. The fort's striking sand-coloured walls, panoramic desert views, and carefully restored interiors have become a favourite backdrop for Qatari youth capturing moments to share on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. 'It's amazing how many young people are using this site to reconnect with our roots,' said Fahad Mohammed, a university student. 'At first, I came here for a photo shoot. But once I started reading about the history, I got deeply interested in our past.' This spontaneous blend of digital culture and heritage appreciation signals a deeper trend: Qatar's youth are embracing their national identity in new ways, making sites like Al Zubarah fort part of both their online presence and personal narratives. Expert views: A historical treasure To gain a deeper understanding of Al Zubarah fort's significance, we spoke to three leading experts on regional history and heritage preservation. Hasan Al Mohannadi, a Qatari historian and researcher specialising in Gulf heritage, explained the fort's pivotal role in understanding Qatar's pre-oil era. 'Al Zubarah was not just a military fort; it was the heart of a once-thriving pearling and trading town that connected Qatar to India, the Levant, and East Africa,' Al Mohannadi said. 'The preservation of this site allows us to piece together the socio-economic life of Qataris before the discovery of oil.' He commended the efforts of Qatar Museums and the Ministry of Culture for 'adopting a holistic approach that combines archaeological preservation, academic research, and public engagement.' 'Under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, heritage has become more than a symbol—it is a strategic tool for education and soft power,' Al Mohannadi added. Reviving the Islamic era narrative Ali Mutib Al Marri, a master's student in Islamic history, believes that Al Zubarah fort serves as a crucial touchstone for understanding the interplay between Islamic governance, trade, and architecture in the Gulf. 'The site reveals how Islamic administrative structures were mirrored in coastal forts,' Al Marri said. 'Al Zubarah was designed not just for defence but for regulation, storage, and governance. It represents a microcosm of Islamic society's structure at the edge of the desert and sea.' He emphasised the importance of involving students in heritage fieldwork and praised recent educational programmes that enable graduate students to participate in archaeological digs and digital archiving. 'When we touch these stones, we touch centuries of our own history,' Al Marri said passionately. 'It's an irreplaceable form of learning.' A pan-Arab perspective For a broader regional context, we also interviewed Dr Ali Al Maliki, an Iraqi historian and author of Modern Arab History: An Analytical Approach, who visited Qatar as part of a regional cultural exchange programme. 'Al Zubarah fort is a remarkable example of Gulf architecture that balances austerity with purpose,' Dr Al Maliki said. 'What's most impressive is Qatar's deliberate effort to narrate its history on its own terms, with integrity and academic rigour.' Dr Al Maliki noted that Qatar's heritage strategy aligns with broader Arab aspirations to preserve national memory amidst rapid modernisation. 'What Qatar is doing under the patronage of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is a model for the Arab world. You cannot build the future without honouring the past,' he said. He also pointed out that Qatar's investment in museums, archival projects, and cultural festivals creates a sustainable ecosystem for regional heritage studies. National vision and cultural diplomacy The care shown to Al Zubarah fort is consistent with Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises human development, cultural enrichment, and global partnerships. Qatar's cultural diplomacy has grown to include exhibitions in global cities, restoration collaborations with international institutions, and exchange programmes that bring scholars to Doha and beyond. In 2013, Al Zubarah was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, solidifying its global significance and protecting it under international conservation protocols. Since then, Qatar has made continual enhancements to the site, guided by experts in archaeology, architecture, and museology. Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has often spoken about the role of heritage in shaping national consciousness and promoting global understanding. Under her leadership, institutions like Al Zubarah fort are not only preserved but actively curated as living symbols of resilience and continuity. Looking forward As Qatar continues to strike a delicate balance between innovation and tradition, the role of heritage sites like Al Zubarah fort will only grow in importance. The fort is more than a monument; it is a classroom, a symbol of resilience, and a national treasure that speaks to the enduring spirit of the Qatari people. From the reflections of local visitors to the insights of renowned historians, one message is clear: Al Zubarah fort is not simply a relic of the past, it is a vital bridge to the future.
