Latest news with #SheikhaAlMayassabint


Qatar Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Square project in Tirana reflects depth of Qatari-Albanian relations
TIRANA: Chairperson of Qatar Museum HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani visited 'Qatar Square,' one of Qatar Fund for Development's (QFFD) projects in the Albanian capital of Tirana. During her visit, Deputy to the Prime Minister Natalie Blushi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Albania HE Jaber bin Ali Hussein Al Dosari and Director-General of QFFD Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti were also in attendance. The visit aimed to strengthen cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries and included a comprehensive program focused on promoting cooperation in areas of culture, urban development, and heritage preservation. This project is considered one of the most prominent initiatives of QFFD as it embodies a shared cultural and urban development vision and reflects the strong fraternal ties between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Albania. In July 2024, QFFD signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish 'Qatar Square' in the heart of the capital. The project is funded with a budget of EUR 11 million and spans an area of 23,700 square meters. It will feature diverse facilities, including public celebration areas, exhibition and event spaces, commercial outlets, gathering spaces, and a water purification system for the Lana River, which will support the natural irrigation of the surrounding park. The square's design is inspired by the traditional Qatari Sadu pattern, reflecting the beauty of Qatari heritage and fostering cultural exchange between the two nations. The project seeks to achieve long-term development goals, including creating a suitable environment for building 25,000 housing units around the square and generating diverse job opportunities for Albanian citizens. This will contribute positively to the local economy and position the square as a vibrant center in the city. This initiative embodies Qatar's active role in supporting development and infrastructure efforts in friendly nations and reaffirms its steadfast commitment to empowering communities across various sectors worldwide.


Qatar Tribune
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Pavilion at 19th International Architecture Exhibition explores forms of hospitality embodied in architecture with Beyti Beytak
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Pavilion is presenting 'Beyti Beytak. My Home is Your Home. La mia casa è la tua casa', a two-part exhibition presented at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition—La Biennale di Venezia. Beyti Beytak explores how forms of hospitality are embodied in the architecture and urban landscapes of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA). The exhibition examines how modern and contemporary architecture responds to the needs of communities while reimagining a sense of belonging. Beyti Beytak is produced by Qatar Museums and organised by the future Art Mill Museum, featuring an installation in the Giardini della Biennale and a presentation at the ACP-Palazzo Franchetti. The 19th International Architecture Exhibition marks the first official participation of Qatar. The presentation at the ACP-Palazzo Franchetti is organized with the support of ACP Art Capital Partners. Beyti Beytak is on view to the public from May 10 to November 23, 2025. Commissioner of the Qatar Pavilion and Chairperson of Qatar Museums Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, said, 'The exhibition Beyti Beytakdemonstrates the commitment of Qatar Museums to amplify the voices of leading modern and contemporary creatives from the Arab world and neighbouring regions. 'This exhibition not only highlights the profound contributions of MENASA architects to global architecture but also reflects our shared values of hospitality, community, and belonging. 'As we continue to shape a cultural landscape of dialogue and exchange, this exhibition serves as a testament to Qatar's role in advancing cultural diplomacy and fostering a deeper understanding of our diverse architectural heritage.' Events inside the Community Centre throughout the duration of the Biennale Architettura 2025 will focus on traditional Qatari forms of welcome, including the serving of coffee and dates on Saturdays and Sundays from 4 to 6 pm. At ACP-Palazzo Franchetti, the exhibition presents the work of more than 30 architects, including several who have not previously shown in Venice. Examining three generations of architects that have worked in the MENASA region, the exhibition features drawings, photographs, models, and important archival documentation. Through these materials, Beyti Beytak explores interconnected themes of community and belonging, organised into sections dedicated to the reinvention of the oasis, city housing, community centres, mosques, museums, and gardens. A section is also devoted to the architecture and urbanism of Doha, which includes several doors from the old city that have been restored with the support of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Among the pioneering modern architects represented are Raj Rewal (India), Nayyar Ali Dada (Pakistan), Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil (Egypt), and Minnette de Silva (Sri Lanka). Their work is highlighted along with that of a range of contemporary designers and architects, including Marina Tabassum and Nabil Haque (Bangladesh), Sameep Padora [sP + A] and Balkrishna Doshi, Vastu-Shilpa Foundation (India), DAAZ Studio (Iran), Abeer Seikaly (Jordan), Sumaya Dabbagh (Saudi Arabia), Diller Scofidio + Renfrom (USA), Meriem Chabani with New South (France), among others. Beyti Beytak also reflects on the legacy of pioneering Egyptian architect and urbanist Hassan Fathy, whose work promoted social engagement while embracing vernacular forms, techniques, and materials. Aurélien Lemonier said, 'Conceived as a multidisciplinary institution devoted to art in all forms since 1850, the future Art Mill Museum will include architecture, design, and landscape architecture as core elements of its collections and programmes. Beyti Beytak is a testament to the richness of the MENASA region's architectural heritage and highlights the diversity and creativity of designers and architects from the Arab world and the Global South.' Sean Anderson said, 'Community and belonging are expressions that inform hospitality throughout the world today. As we witness the planet's transformations, mirrored by technology's drive toward a more collective yet divided future, Beyti Beytak responds to how architects and designers have imagined how we gather, where we reflect, and what we feel with and for each other.' The exhibition design explores the spatial possibilities of mesh, a ubiquitous architectural element found in many cultures around the world. The Beyti Beytak scientific committee is composed of Catherine Grenier, Ibrahim Jaidah, Yasmeen Lari, Hafid Rakem, and Raj Rewal.


Qatar Tribune
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar inaugurates pavilion at Venice Biennale of Architecture
VENICE: Chairperson of Qatar Museums Board of Trustees HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has inaugurated the State of Qatar's pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition (La Biennale di Venezia) in the historic Giardini della Biennale in Venice, Italy. In her speech at the event, Sheikha Al Mayassa emphasized that this participation marks the beginning of a new cultural journey, reflecting Qatar's presence in spirit and stone, noting that the pavilion demonstrates Qatar's commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting cultural exchange. She added that Qatar's pavilion, which features an art installation by Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari, embodies values of inclusivity and belonging and aligns with this year's theme "My home is your home." Sheikha Al Mayassa said that Qatar's participation goes beyond architectural construction, presenting a powerful cultural message that amplifies the voice of the region and showcases its heritage with confidence. She highlighted that Venice, historically a bridge between East and West, serves as an ideal platform for conveying this message, adding that Qatar will soon join other nations in Giardini, where architecture becomes diplomacy and beauty speaks for peace. She pointed out that Qatar's pavilion, designed by talented architect Lina Qattouf, symbolizes hospitality and resilience, reflecting shared aspirations. Sheikha Al Mayassa affirmed that culture is the foundation of the pavilion's design, with kindness as its language, making it not just an architectural structure, but a space for dialogue, wonder, and global engagement in conversations that inspire peace and cultural exchange. Qatar's new pavilion is centrally located within the Biennale gardens, near the renowned Book Pavilion, adding a distinctive presence to the prestigious historical gardens that have showcased leading cultural and artistic creations for over fifty years.