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The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, inaugurated the art exhibition "From Cuba to Qatar: Horses, Fibers, and Memories" by Cuban artist Yosvany Martinez this evening, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Doha. The opening ceremony was attended by Director General of Katara Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Ambassador of Cuba to Qatar Jose Enrique Enriquez Rodriguez, and diplomats, cultural figures, and members of the Cuban community in Qatar. Hosted at Building 47 and running until October 20, the exhibition features 29 artworks crafted using diverse techniques, including a sculpture made from natural fibers and plant-based paper. Martinez's pieces are distinguished by their artistic intimacy and reliance on organic materials such as the stalks of Espartio Macho, a native Cuban grass. The artist dries and dyes the fibers with natural pigments before incorporating them into his compositions, which depict horses and iconic landmarks of Havana, Cuba's capital. In his remarks at the opening, the Cuban ambassador expressed gratitude to Katara for its support, stating that this exhibition invites us to transcend geographical boundaries, where horses gallop freely and harmony emerges among the artworks. The recurring presence of horses reflects a shared cultural element between Cuba and Qatar. He added that the exhibition explores the richness of fibers and the cultural connections that unite peoples, contributing to mutual understanding, artistic collaboration, and intercultural dialogue. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador emphasized the strength of cultural ties between Cuba and Qatar, praising the ongoing and fruitful cooperation between Katara and Cuban cultural institutions. He noted that Katara recently hosted a Cuban musical performance, further cementing this partnership. He affirmed that the exhibition "From Cuba to Qatar: Horses, Fibers, and Memories" embodies his collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to fostering cultural and artistic dialogue between the two nations. He stressed that culture remains a vital bridge for human connection and mutual understanding. In a separate statement to QNA, artist Yosvany Martinez explained that he employed a range of artistic techniques in the exhibition, most notably fiber art. He described the fibers as a type of grass native to Cuban fields, which he harvests, dries, and dyes with natural colors before meticulously assembling them into his artworks on cardboard. Each piece begins with a pencil sketch, forming the foundation for his intricate compositions. Martinez further shared that he later expanded his artistic repertoire to include techniques such as oil on canvas and linocut printing, a method involving engraving on linoleum. He explained that he uses a fine carving tool known as a gubia to achieve intricate details, before passing the artwork through a printing press to complete the process. Concluding his remarks, Martinez revealed that several of his oil paintings featured in the exhibition are dedicated to the State of Qatar, as a tribute to the growing cultural ties between the two nations. He emphasized that he paints using a fine brush with individual bristles, allowing him to create textures that mimic the feel of natural fibers, symbolizing the unity of nature, art, and human memory.

Katara Cultural Village hosted the closing event of the 21st High Street Art Exhibition with an interactive evening that marked the end of a series of activities hosted by the exhibition over the past few days, showcasing contemporary, impressionistic, and abstract works that addressed issues of society, and human identity.Throughout the evening Katara provided cultural and artistic platforms that enrich the visual arts scene in Qatar, allowing artists from various backgrounds to showcase their works to the public, reflecting the diversity and creativity of the local scene.The Qatar Fine Arts Society, the co-organiser of the event, ensured that the exhibition was an open space for creativity and artistic dialogue.Artists and members of the public came together in an interactive environment that reflected the status of visual arts as a bridge for human and cultural communication.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, will host "Unmasking the Mind: How Art, Sound & Story Heal Us", a public panel discussion on October 8. The session coincides with the activities held to mark Mental Health Awareness month, and underscores Mathaf's commitment to mental health advocacy and community wellbeing by offering an inclusive platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, as well as exploring the role of effective creative expression in improving mental health. Through hosting this event, Mathaf demonstrates how museums and cultural institutions can actively contribute to public health, providing safe spaces where art, music, and psychology intersect to break stigma and open new possibilities for healing. This initiative also reflects Mathaf's broader commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together clinical psychologists, artists, and musicians to explore innovative approaches to wellbeing. Indeed, the panel discussion underscores Mathaf's dedication to empowering the public with knowledge, encouraging participation, and nurturing a culture of open conversations around mental health. The panel will address the intersection of art, music, and psychology, and the role of creativity as both a means of artistic expression and a therapeutic tool. The panel will feature a number of specialists, including: Dr. Zhivka Pesheva, clinical psychologist, life coach and musician, Dr. Marta Casillas, clinical psychologist, Olga Velcheva, musician and sound therapist and Ramzi Bou Kamel, musician. The session coincides with Qatar Museums' 20th anniversary celebrations, which coincides with the launch of its "Evolution Nation", an 18-month campaign celebrating Qatar's cultural journey, from the founding of the Qatar's National Museum to the its established system of cultural institutions.

Qatar Reads, an initiative under the Qatar National Library (QNL), and M7 have launched the Fables in Fashion Art Exhibition 2025 to illustrate the book Maqamat Al-Hariri in diverse artistic formats. Held in Msheireb M7, Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech, the exhibition expands the life of literature to connect and inform community members about our past as a source of cultural and creative innovation. The exhibition, which runs until September 20, is part of “One Book, One Doha”, Qatar Reads' annual reading campaign that brings community members together in a shared reading experience. Each year a book from Arabic literature is selected, inviting everyone to read, reflect and engage through a variety of campaign activities. A total of 30 artists and fashion designers are participating in reviving the content of this Arabic literary masterpiece. The exhibition includes canvas works, installations and fashion designs that were produced by 13 Qatari artists and 17 international artists. Thirty-two artistic and creative works are on display, in addition to eight fashion pieces to celebrate the power of literature and timeless wisdom. In this art exhibition, artists and collaborators bring a fresh visual perspective that infuses the narrative with a creative spirit and artistic depth. This enriches the book's content and transforms it into a multi-dimensional experience. Through their original contributions, the artists reimagine the text, broadening its scope and adding new levels of meaning. The exhibition is not just a representation of the book, it celebrates the creative added value brought by each participating artist, turning the literary work into a vibrant space for dialogue where words and images come together in a harmony worth exploring. HE the Minister of State and QNL president Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari said: “It is a true honour to present this magnificent artistic experience that can enable the society to learn and discover new meanings.” “The art exhibition emphasises our role at the QNL – thus expanding our efforts beyond the bookshelves,” he said. “It builds on our heritage and literature to promote imagination and creativity, culturally and technologically.” “We always aim to present our history in new, engaging ways to help the new generations absorb wisdom and build on a solid foundation where they can find engaging topics in old books,” HE Dr al-Kawari added. “This exhibition encourages members of the community to engage with literature in different ways, which means leveraging the power of reading to cultivate a reading culture within the community.” “By merging literacy initiatives with art and fashion, the Fables in Fashion Art Exhibition 2025 demonstrates that reading is part of our future-oriented vision – fueling creativity, collaboration and cultural dialogue,” he concluded. “When we selected Maqamat Al-Hariri as Book of the Year, it was based on our conviction that its themes would resonate widely across all segments of the community,” said Qatar Reads manager Fatema al-Malki, said. “We are proud of this interactive experience, which highlights art and fashion as powerful tools to reinforce the role of literature in our society, fostering creativity, innovation and cultural enrichment.”

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) will hold “Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art”, a landmark three-day conference from September 18-20 at Four Seasons Doha that promises not just to inform, but to transform the way the world views Sudan. “At a time when Sudan’s crisis risks invisibility, this conference amplifies Sudanese voices and highlights the transformative role of culture in sustaining resilience and hope,” said GU-Q dean Safwan M Masri. “The 50 leading scholars, artists, and activists speaking at the conference will show how art functions as politics by other means, with memory as its medium, imagination as its arena, and survival as its aim.” Anchoring the programme is the keynote panel “Eyes on Sudan”, featuring Zeinab Badawi, legendary broadcaster, president of SOAS University of London, and author of the bestselling book *An African History of Africa (2024). She will be joined by Khalid Albaih, internationally celebrated Sudanese political cartoonist and GU-Q’s 2025 Artist-in-Residence; Nesrine Malik, award-winning journalist and author whose writing has reshaped global understandings of politics and identity; and Rashid Diab, one of Sudan’s most influential contemporary artists. Together with Masri as moderator, they will ask urgent questions about Sudan’s past, present, and future, and challenge audiences to engage with a rich cultural legacy in peril. Beyond the keynote, attendees will experience live music by Alsarah of Alsarah & The Nubatones, and musician and composer Huda Asfour; attend a special art exhibition and book launch for *Sudan Retold at Alhosh Gallery; and engage in immersive discussions on art, film, music, and life in Sudan and the diaspora. The event extends beyond academic dialogue, offering participants the chance to engage with Sudan’s cultural heartbeat in the midst of crisis. As the GU-Q marks its 20th anniversary, “Seeing Sudan” exemplifies its aim to foster bold scholarship and dialogue that bridges cultures, honours diverse histories, and addresses the world’s most pressing challenges.