Qatar Museums is organising the ‘Architecture in the Old Palace’ forum today (May 10) at the Darwish al-Far Hall at the National Museum of Qatar. The forum will feature a distinguished group of experts, researchers, and those interested in the history of Qatari architecture and heritage.
The forum is part of the museum’s efforts to re-highlight the Old Palace, one of Qatar’s most prominent historical landmarks. It will offer an in-depth look at the palace’s historical and architectural development, its political and social role in the country’s history, and its transformation into an integral part of the modern National Museum.
The forum will address a range of specialised topics exploring the architectural characteristics of the Old Palace, reflecting traditional Qatari architecture, the building techniques used during that period, and the symbolic value it holds as a witness to significant stages in the country’s history and its political and cultural transformations.
Participants will also discuss the role of the Old Palace in Qatari public life, as a historical headquarters associated with the administration of the country’s affairs in earlier periods, before it later transformed into a cultural and heritage landmark housed within the National Museum. This transformation aligns with the museum’s vision of preserving national memory and promoting awareness of Qatar’s history and heritage.
The forum will be conducted in Arabic with translation provided for attendees, allowing for broader participation from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and fostering the exchange of knowledge about the palace’s history and its architectural and heritage significance.
The forum targets a diverse audience, including those interested in the history of the Old Palace, architecture and Qatari history students, historians, and researchers in architectural heritage. It provides a space for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives on the importance of preserving historical buildings as part of the national identity and cultural memory of the community.
Through its themes and discussion sessions, the forum emphasises the importance of documenting the story of the Old Palace and passing it on to future generations, especially given the building’s historical and architectural value, which is linked to the development of the country and the cultural landscape of Qatar.
The Old Palace is one of the key elements upon which the idea of the Qatar National Museum was based, as it was incorporated into the modern architectural design of the museum, to remain a living witness to the history of the country, and a bridge linking the past and the present in a cultural experience that reflects the development of Qatari identity over time.
