* The exhibition is the centrepiece of the cultural programme of the State of Qatar, the guest country at the 24th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
* The project series is organised by the Cultural Creative Agency
 
A one-of-its-kind exhibition titled “Qatar Between Land and Sea.
Through Arts and Heritage” is showcasing about 200 items from the collections of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), the private museum of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani (FBQ), and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
In a statement, Qatar Museums (QM) noted that the exhibition, which runs until August 22, is a multi-faceted tale of Qatari history and culture spanning several centuries.
The chronology covers the 15th - 20th centuries, thus creating a comprehensive representation of different periods of Qatari culture.
The proximity of the desert and the sea effected a significant impact on the formation of the cultural tradition and historical heritage of Qatar: the people of Qatar have been neither exclusively desert-dwelling Bedouins, nor coastal tribes, which distinguished them from the inhabitants of the neighboring countries.
In the 20th century, rapid development and modernisation transformed all social spheres and strata, significantly influencing the traditional way of life of this Middle Eastern country.
“Visitors will be able to see artifacts related to the culture history of the peninsula and the amazingly diverse in its natural and culture environment.
They will learn how people had lived between sands and sea for centuries until discovery of oil,” explains Sheikha Haya bint Ali al-Thani, director of Curatorial Affairs at NMoQ.
The folk culture of Qatar is unique, the country having occupied a special place in the Arab-Islamic history for a long time.
The Persian Gulf has long been the intersection of trade routes that forged economic and cultural ties between the East and the West.
The works of art, displayed at the exhibition, demonstrate the national heritage and culture of Qatar, illustrating its extensive ties with peoples around the world.
The exhibition is thematically divided into topics: pearl diving, falconry, religious manuscripts, military equipment, traditional carpets, musical instruments, household items, clothing and jewelry.
“This exhibition is a great opportunity for people from around the world to explore the very precious elements of the Qatari and Middle Eastern tradition and lifestyle, such as handmade carpets and artifacts, pearls, and antique jewellery, which makes it a magical journey through history.
I look forward to representing our beloved country in the best way possible, and to taking part in similar future large-scale events.
I hope this exhibition will be successful and will attract a wide range of visitors to enjoy unique artifacts,” says Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, founder and owner of FBQ Museum.
“The project embodies our countries’ interest in each other, in co-operation and collaboration.
Created by a group of international specialists, the exhibition reveals to the public Qatar’s multifaceted culture — and also its similarity with the cultural values of the peoples of Russia.
Through such projects, we discover other countries, learn what matters to them and thus also get to know ourselves better by interacting with the diversity of the world,” comments Yulia Kupina, director of the Russian Museum of Ethnography.
“Mathaf is honoured to be part of this significant exhibition that reflects on Qatar’s rich culture and history.
We are pleased to contribute to the exhibition with the loan of works by artist Sophia al Maria.
Her works — part of the Mathaf Collection — were presented during our recent ‘Lived Forward’ exhibition in Doha,” Mathaf director Abdellah Karroum said.
 
 
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