Msheireb Properties has celebrated International Museum Day 2016 with an interactive programme at Msheireb Museums.
The activities helped raise awareness about the importance of protecting and enhancing the cultural landscape in Qatar, according to a statement.
Located in the Heritage Quarter at Msheireb Downtown Doha, the Msheireb Museums hosted students, academics, media and other invited guests from key local ministries and educational establishments to mark the event held under the theme “Museums and Cultural Landscapes”.
The celebration began with opening remarks from Hafiz Ali, director of Msheireb Museums.
Dr Robert Carter, professor of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology at UCL Qatar, shared his insights into the development of Msheireb and Doha with evidence from archaeology, oral history, maps and aerial imagery. Dr Carter specialises in the archaeology of the Arab and Islamic world and has extensive knowledge of the origins of the Gulf towns.
The talk was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges in adapting the heritage houses used by Msheireb Museums to make them suitable for the 21st century, including the methods of restoration, protection and conservation used to create “living heritage”.
Guests were also invited to explore a photo gallery exhibit, which showcased the architecture of Msheireb Museums, combined with local poetry.
Msheireb Properties is a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer.
Ali al-Kuwari, chief officer for design and delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb Museums is a cultural and heritage benchmark at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where visitors can experience the way of life in the past. The museums are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology that allows the guest to have an in-depth understanding of major events that have shaped our history.”
International Museum Day has been acknowledged on May 18 since 1977, with more than 35,000 museums participating in 2015 across 145 countries.
International Museum Day aims to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among people.
Some of the participants at the event. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
