tag

Qatar Museums has honoured the patrons whose generosity has enriched its collections and played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's cultural landscape.From families sharing treasured heirlooms and artists donating unparalleled works, to corporations and diplomatic missions contributing historical documents and defining artworks, these acts of giving reflect a shared commitment to placing objects of meaning into public trust.Together, these gifts have been essential to the institution's development over the past 20 years and the preservation of Qatar's national heritage."The story of Qatar Museums is inseparable from the cultural objects and artworks that have been entrusted to us," said Her Excellency the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani. "I am deeply grateful to the many donors who have placed their trust in Qatar Museums by sharing these works with the nation. When donors choose to share these works, they ensure that memories, traditions, and artistic excellence become part of a collective legacy. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we thank them for helping to preserve our heritage and inspiring creativity, knowledge, and dialogue across generations."Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi said: "Qatar Museums is committed to supporting a robust and sustainable ecosystem for cultural philanthropy. We sincerely thank the individuals, families, and organisations whose generosity has helped build our collections and expand what our museums can offer the public, and whose contributions continue to shape the nation's cultural legacy."Over the past two decades, more than 250 donors have contributed artworks and objects across Qatar Museums’ institutions and initiatives, helping to build collections that span art, heritage, sport, design, and public space. Together, these contributions have shaped a national collection that reflects the richness of Qatar’s history and its openness to the world.This year, Qatar Museums is marking its 20th anniversary with the launch of Evolution Nation, honouring the establishment of the National Museum of Qatar 50 years ago and highlighting the nation's cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.As Qatar Museums looks ahead, it continues to welcome those who wish to contribute to this shared cultural legacy, ensuring that the collections entrusted to the nation today will inform, inspire, and belong to generations to come.

Qatar Museums (QM) has unveiled Autorretrato (Self-Portrait, 2022) by Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile, a major new installation in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. Installed in Mathaf's performance space, the work underscores the museum's ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and its support for impactful contemporary artistic practices that resonate across the region and beyond. Autorretrato is also part of the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Years of Culture, a national initiative that builds lasting partnerships and celebrates shared creativity, history, and innovation. **media[396990]**  The partnership with Argentina this year highlights the depth of artistic traditions, contemporary practices, and collaborative projects, positioning this new installation as a milestone in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and strengthening international artistic connections.  The deputy chief executive of ALRIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya, Her Excellency Sheikha Reem al-Thani, said: "As Mathaf celebrates its 15th anniversary, the unveiling of Gabriel Chaile's Autorretrato highlights the transformative role of public art in connecting audiences with contemporary creative practice.” “This artwork not only enriches the museum's anniversary programme but also serves as a catalyst for dialogue, inviting reflection on ancestry, heritage, and the ways in which personal and collective identities are interwoven,” she said. “By situating Chaile's sculpture within a public space, we aim to create meaningful encounters that resonate across cultures, histories, and generations." **media[396915]** Born in 1985 in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Chaile is renowned for sculptural practice grounded in the material cultures, archaeological histories, and native traditions of Latin America. Drawing from his Afro-Arab and Indigenous heritage, Chaile's work examines how identity is shaped by inherited memory, community narratives, and centuries of cultural interconnection. Autorretrato departs from traditional portraiture and expresses identity through symbolic and material elements. The sculpture's surface is marked by raised clusters inspired in part by the prehistoric Venus of Willendorf, suggesting textured hair and referencing Chaile's hybrid Afro-Arab and Latin ancestry. Subtle eye-shaped impressions appear on both sides of the work, echoing the dual-headed forms characteristic of pre-Hispanic ceramics and introducing a sense of duality and introspection. "Autorretrato brings together material memory and lived experience in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant,” said Mathaf director Zeina Arida. “Gabriel Chaile's work encourages us to consider how form can carry history and resilience,” she said. “Presenting this work at Mathaf during our 15th anniversary year is an ideal way to introduce the museum's future focus on ceramic art, crafting a dialogue where tradition meets innovative form." Crafted in adobe, a clay that was often used for Indigenous architecture and pottery across the continent, the work grounds itself in the earth, and the sculpture's conical form recalls traditional pipes once used in everyday life in northwestern Argentina.By merging these references, Chaile creates a work that articulates what he describes as a "Genealogy of Form", a framework through which ancestral memory, material history, and contemporary identity converge.  The sculpture is presented as part of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar's cultural journey over the past 50 years since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).Curated by Qatar Creates, the national initiative positions Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity.  As part of this celebration, the unveiling of Chaile's Autorretrato represents a significant milestone for the QM, highlighting the institution's ongoing commitment to commissioning and presenting contemporary public art that connects local audiences with global artistic practice. 

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM) and Isha Ambani of India’s Mumbai-based Reliance Industries have signed a five-year strategic partnership between the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) and QM. The collaboration will establish a series of Museum-in-Residence educational programmes in both India and Qatar, designed to introduce playful, museum-based learning experiences for children and provide educators with new tools to inspire creativity nationwide. The ceremony took place at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha. Connected by a shared belief in the power of education to spark creativity and the importance of cross-cultural exchange, QM and NMACC are jointly developing programmes to enrich early childhood learning. While centred on the needs of young learners, these initiatives also equip teachers and volunteers with new tools, materials, and playful methodologies that empower them to innovate in the classroom. Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre share the belief that creativity and cultural exchange are key to shaping a new generation of confident, empathetic young learners. Through this collaboration, led by Isha Ambani, a legacy of our Year of Culture with India, Qatar Museums will contribute its skills and experiences to the outstanding educational programmes of the centre’s already robust history and ever-expanding roster providing educational tools and insights, helping them extend their reach in classrooms throughout India.” In India, NMACC will partner with Reliance Foundation (RF) to implement the programming across multiple regions, guided by QM specialists — including experts from the Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar — who will deliver masterclasses and hands-on mentoring. In keeping with NMACC’s mission to bring the best of the world to India and share the best of India with the world, each programme will be adapted to diverse learning contexts, strengthening the Centre’s broader commitment to education and the arts.Isha Ambani, Director Reliance Industries noted: “We are pleased to partner with Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Qatar Museums on this meaningful collaboration focused on children and education. At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, we are committed to bringing global ideas to India while sharing India’s rich cultural heritage with the world and creating world-class educational experiences for young people. Both Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre believe that culture is where imagination begins, and education is where potential becomes real. Through this partnership, we aim to spark new forms of learning that empower every child to dream boldly and to learn confidently.” QM and NMACC will also work together to develop additional initiatives that encourage creativity, empathy, and discovery. These programmes will be implemented in schools, anganwadis, and community centres across India, including in rural and underserved regions. Maha al-Hajri, Acting Director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, said, “We are proud to launch this collaboration as part of Dadu’s Museum-in-Residence programme, bringing the Light Atelier to new audiences in India. The Light Atelier, developed for children aged three to seven, creates immersive, hands-on learning environments that reflect Dadu’s commitment to learning through play. As part of our learning-through-play philosophy, this Museum-in-Residence programme allows us to share Dadu’s approach beyond our walls while creating meaningful cultural exchanges with partners like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.” This partnership marks a milestone in Qatar Museums’ ongoing commitment to advancing education and cultural exchange globally, reflecting the mission of Qatar National Vision 2030 to invest in human and cultural development. 

Qatar Museums (QM) announced the election of Abdulatif al-Jasmi, director of QM’s Cultural Heritage Protection Department, to the Executive Council of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).The election took place at the 34th session of the ICCROM General Assembly in Rome, held from December 10 to 12. Al-Jasmi, who was Qatar’s nominee and a key member of the Qatari delegation, was elected to serve a four-year term on the Council.The Executive Council is one of the most important governing bodies of ICCROM, responsible for setting Centre’s general policies, adopting work plans and programmes, and monitoring the implementation of international activities. This membership in this Council enables Qatar and QM to play an active role in strategic decision-making and contribute to global initiatives that advance best practices in heritage training, management, capacity building, and the protection of endangered cultural property worldwide.This achievement strengthens QM’s position as a global leader in conservation and cultural management. It is a culmination of Qatar's sustained commitment to cultural preservation, led at a national effort through the expertise of institutions such as QM. This success also reflects the international community's profound confidence in Qatar's capacity to significantly influence global conservation and restoration policies and drive initiatives for protecting cultural heritage worldwide. This election further affirms QM’s success in establishing a comprehensive national system that ensures the adoption of global best practices and the protection and management of cultural heritage. 

Design Doha, Qatar Museums’ biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in design from Qatar and across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (Menasa), has announced the appointment of internationally renowned architect and designer India Mahdavi (pictured left) as head of jury for the Design Doha Prize 2026. “India Mahdavi represents the very essence of what Design Doha stands for: a celebration of cultural dialogue, craftsmanship, and optimism through design,” said Design Doha acting director Fahad al-Obaidly. A globally acclaimed architect and designer, Paris-based Mahdavi is renowned for her distinctive approach to colour, form, and cultural storytelling. Awarded on April 14, 2026, the Design Doha Prize honours innovation and craftsmanship in four categories: Craft, Product Design, Furniture Design, and Emerging Talent.More information is available at https://designdoha.org.qa/en/calendar/design-doha-prize/ 

Qatar Museums (QM) has been recognised with several prestigious distinctions at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025 which was co-organised by Qatar Tourism and the UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).In total, QM received four awards at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025, recognising excellence across multiple areas of cultural tourism.The Museum of Islamic Art won the Outstanding Cultural Tourism Experience Award; National Museum of Qatar won the Iconic Local Attraction Award; Qatar Museums (Institutional) won the Tourism Innovation Award; and Director of the Museum of Islamic Art ,Shaikha Nasser Al Nassr won the Emerging Leader in Tourism Award.Qatar Museums CEO, Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihicommented: "The recognition we have received at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025 is a powerful validation of our vision to place culture at the heart of national development. These achievements reinforce Qatar Museums' position as a global centre for art and culture, delivering world-class, authentic and memorable visitor experiences that continue to elevate our nation's cultural standing on the world stage."QC+, QM's strategic group for creative and commercial growth, was also shortlisted in four areas across its F&B and Hospitality portfolio, recognizing its dedication to cultural expression, and guest experience. This year's awards attracted more than 1,160 submissions, which were evaluated by a distinguished international jury from a shortlist of 195 entries.The 2025 edition also introduced an Alumni Network and new sub-categories like "Hotelier of the Year," reinforcing the event's role in driving continuous innovation and supporting Qatar National Vision 2030.

In collaboration with Qatar Museums, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Chile's National Centre for World Heritage Sites, and the World Heritage Site Municipal Corporation of Valparaiso, and Trama Cultura, Years of Culture is hosting a regional workshop in Valparaiso, Chile, from November 24 to 28, 2025, dedicated to strengthening international cooperation in safeguarding heritage.As part of the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture, experts from Qatar Museums' Cultural Heritage Protection Department will work alongside Chilean and international specialists in a five-day program titled "Enhancing the Effectiveness of World Heritage Management." The initiative aims to pass on knowledge, share lived experiences and set up international expert networks between those entrusted with the world's most precious cultural legacies.Abdullatif Al Jasmi, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection at Qatar Museums, said: "This collaboration with Chile reflects our shared responsibility to protect and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. Through the Years of Culture initiative, we are building meaningful platforms for knowledge exchange and professional collaboration that strengthen the management and resilience of World Heritage sites."Working together allows us to advance expertise and promote a deeper sense of cultural cooperation, preserving the stories and places that shape our shared human legacy," he added.Throughout the week, participants will explore how to sustain the values and authenticity of World Heritage sites through improved governance, legal frameworks, and management planning. The sessions will weave together global best practices with local perspectives, translating the lessons learned in Qatar's desert landscapes into strategies for Chile's coastal heritage.Practical sessions at the Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will transform the city itself into a living classroom. Participants will engage in fieldwork, risk assessments, and peer-to-peer exchanges that tackle real-world conservation challenges, fostering both technical skills and a spirit of shared stewardship.

Qatar Museums has opened two exhibitions as part of its 2025 Ruwad in Residence programme, at Fire Station Artist in Residence (AIR), featuring the work of two Qatar-based established artists. The first, titled "And Then, A Return," features Qatari artist Fatma al-Naimi, while the second, "What Remains to Be Seen," showcases Palestinian artist Dr Aissa Deebi. Both exhibitions will be on view until December 13. **media[382688]** Artist Fatma al-Naimi told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the residency experience has been positive and enriching, allowing her to exchange experiences with participating artists, engage in dialogues about art, and participate in various activities at Fire Station's AIR, including cultural forums, lectures, and art exhibitions. She also highlighted the opportunity to utilise the open studio's diverse resources and techniques. **media[382689]** Al-Naimi explained that her year-long experience culminated in this exhibition, reflecting on personal moments, memories, and experiences, which she translated into artworks using various mediums, including printmaking, painting, and video art, employing diverse techniques and media. Palestinian visual artist Aissa Deebi, praised the excellence of the artist residency programme and its role in promoting creative and cultural work. He emphasised that it provides an opportunity for reflection, contemplation, research, and presenting artistic experiences to the public, especially given Qatar's ongoing artistic renaissance and its focus on the impact of art on building society and the national economy. He said his works in the exhibition are inspired by the circumstances of the aggression against Gaza and aim to highlight the role of art during times of war, fostering hope, and affirming the importance of creativity in strengthening Palestinian cultural identity. **media[382690]** Launched in 2021, Ruwad Residency supports and fosters dialogue between Qatar-based established and emerging artists. By providing time, space, and resources, the programme reinforces the Fire Station's role as a hub for artistic exchange and innovation. The residency also ensures the Fire Station's continued connection to local artists and creates meaningful exchanges through mentorship. Nominated by the Fire Station, Ruwad artists participate for up to two years, gaining access to studio space and the opportunity to engage with the wider community through public programmes such as talks and workshops.

Qatar Museums (QM) and the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced the launch of the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, marking a major step in digital cultural innovation.This initiative, developed in collaboration with Cisco, and in turn, with Web3 implementation partner droppGroup, presents a live and intelligent museum experience that integrates immersive 3D environments, augmented and extended reality, and artificial intelligence.The project aims to place Qatar at the forefront of integrating metaverse and AI technologies to enhance museum engagement, while exploring new technologies intended to promote access to culture.By embracing innovation, QM demonstrates its role as a pioneer in cultural transformation and experimentation while supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.The platform also introduces new opportunities for accessibility and remote learning, allowing students, researchers, and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.In a press statement, NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani said: “With the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, we are extending this mission into the digital realm, allowing audiences everywhere to walk through our galleries, engage with our collections, and encounter Qatar’s history in immersive and interactive new ways.“This initiative ensures that NMoQ continues to be not only a guardian of heritage, but also a frontrunner in shaping how museums engage with the world.”QM noted that this project is part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme in Qatar. Active in Qatar since 2019, CDA is Cisco’s strategic programme designed to accelerate the nation's digitalisation agenda and generate new value for its citizens, businesses, and the country as a whole.Through public and private partnerships, the programme focuses on leveraging innovative digital solutions to address national challenges across key sectors such as national infrastructure, education, and smart communities.Through the pilot, visitors can explore digital twins of three galleries: The Archaeology of Qatar, The People of Qatar, and Life in Al Barr (The Desert). Twenty-two curated objects are presented with interactive augmented reality features, detailed descriptions, and direct links to the museum’s online collection.The experience is enhanced by Murjana, NMoQ’s customised digital mascot, who provides bilingual narration in Arabic and English with intelligent, personalised guidance. Accessible on mobile devices, desktops, tablets, and VR headsets, the platform also introduces new opportunities for remote learning, allowing students and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.“QM has consistently demonstrated strategic vision in leveraging technology to advance cultural preservation and global engagement, in alignment with Qatar's national digital ambitions. This initiative is a direct testament to that forward-thinking approach,” said Cisco Qatar general manager Hasan Khan.

The final phase of Qatar’s 25-year cultural plan features ambitious global projects designed to strengthen the nation’s position as a hub for art and innovation, according to Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.“Over the next decade, we will be introducing one project after another to continue to build a knowledge-based economy and support the growth of the creative economy,” she said in her keynote address marking the Qatar Creates anniversary season at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).The keynote was delivered against a backdrop of institutional milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the NMoQ, the 20th anniversary of the QM, and the 15th anniversaries of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and the Doha Film Institute (DFI).HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that the plan involves three major institutions, which will further globalise the country’s cultural impact: the Qatar Auto Museum, the Lusail Museum, and the Art Mill Museum.These projects, she said, “hold two of the world’s most extensive and diverse collections”.The QM chairperson said that these museums will be amplified by the upcoming Art Basel Qatar, scheduled for February 2026, which signifies a major push into the international art market.HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said the Lusail Museum, designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron and situated on Al Maha Island, will house the extensive collection of Orientalist art.Beyond a repository, it is envisioned as an institute where international scholars and artists convene to explore East-West connections.On Doha’s waterfront, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that architect Alejandro Aravena and his firm Elemental are transforming an industrial flour mill into the Art Mill Museum.This project, she pointed out, is planned to be “more than a museum”, serving as a vibrant creative village for art, craft, and design, facilitating connections between local and international creative communities.“Over the past two decades, we have been able to invest in both our hardware and software,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa continued. “The hardware being the buildings, such as the one hosting us now, and the software being the talented people who bring our dreams to life.”She stressed that the future focus must be on cultivating this “software”, the creatives and innovators within the ecosystem, to build the knowledge economy.The core mission of the new strategy, she added, remains supporting local talent and growing the creative economy, extending the reach of existing platforms like the DFI, the Fire Station, and M7.“Culture is no longer a separate sphere, it is inseparable from our social, economic and environmental development,” said HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, who led the celebration of recent activities highlighting Qatari creatives. “It is the heart of our nation uniting our diverse communities.”These include the Liwan Open Studios and the inauguration of the Fashion Trust Arabia exhibition, “Threads of Impact”, which brought more than 80 designers to Doha.She noted that even the children’s focus is rooted in creativity and community health, pointing to the Dadu Children’s Museum of Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sport Museum.According to HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, the Children’s Museum will work with artists from the Fire Station, reinforcing the strategy of “globalising the local and localising the global”.She also underlined the nation’s cultural achievements under the banner of a new 18-month campaign, “Evolution Nation”, marking 50 years since the founding of the NMoQ.

Qatar Museums (QM) inaugurated Sunday the first Arab Youth Forum, in co-operation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO).The three-day event brings together officials, experts, and young participants from 22 Arab countries.The forum is aimed at empowering young people and university students in the Arab world to engage in heritage preservation, promote cultural sustainability, and help shape future strategies for safeguarding Arab heritage.It will conclude with the launch of the Doha Youth Declaration 2025, reflecting the aspirations of a new generation of Arab researchers and calling for stronger cooperation among cultural and academic institutions.Qatar Museums chief executive Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi said the forum marks a strategic step toward raising awareness of sustainable cultural heritage protection.He added that workshops and discussions will enable youth to exchange experiences and develop innovative solutions to current and future challenges.Al-Rumaihi noted that the forum coincides with the QM’s 20th anniversary and its Nation of Culture campaign, reaffirming its commitment to building a vibrant cultural landscape in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.He added the event would stimulate innovation and creativity among young people, enabling them to become ambassadors for their cultures and work to develop effective strategies for preserving cultural heritage, which is an integral part of our Arab identity.ALECSO director-general D. Mohamed Ould Amar highlighted that hosting the forum in Qatar helps establish a lasting tradition of youth engagement in research and innovation across the Arab world.He stressed the importance of confronting the risks facing cultural heritage – from natural disasters to human activities and neglect – and the need for young people to play a central role in protecting it.The forum follows last year's ALECSO-organised first forum for young researchers in cultural heritage in the Arab world, with the participation of 17 Arab countries.Head of International Relations at the QM’s International Co-operation Department, Dr Rashid Ali Malheya, said that the first Arab Youth Forum was launched by the QM, in collaboration with ALECSO, as a youth-centric platform, serving as their voice and reflecting their perspectives through interactive workshops and panel discussions on heritage preservation, the latest experiences, and direct engagement with specialists.The forum, he noted, provides a showcase for youth-led projects, initiatives, and research, reflecting the QM's success in mobilising Arab youth from 22 countries for the first time.Dr Malheya added that there is a strong commitment to sustaining this initiative, with the forum planned across successive editions.A key outcome is youth participation in drafting the Doha Youth Declaration 2025, which charts a roadmap for their vital role in heritage management, positioning it as a development cornerstone.Dr Malheya further highlighted that the 27th Conference on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World, scheduled for tomorrow, will dedicate a session to youth initiatives and experiences, ensuring heritage sustainability.On the first day of the forum, two sessions were held.The first focused on protection and management of cultural heritage in the Arab world, highlighting the significance of heritage, reviewing archaeological work from the 1950s to the present, discussing Qatari sites’ inclusion in the Arab heritage registry, and exploring Unesco’s role in safeguarding heritage.The second session focused on development and drafting of the Youth Forum Declaration – Doha 2025, moderated by Dr Fatema Hassan al-Sulaiti, the director of International Co-operation and Government Affairs at the QM.Speakers discussed heritage in conflict, referencing attempts to erase Syria's living heritage, environmental misinformation in heritage promotion, historical trade relations between Khorfakkan and the kingdom of Hormuz (1272-1290 CE), and the Great Fort architecture in Al Raida, Yemen.The forum "Empowering Arab Youth for Sustainable Heritage" meanwhile convenes on the margins of the 27th conference under the theme *Sustainability of Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Future Strategies.The three-day event will be organised by the QM in collaboration with ALECSO tomorrow, with participation from regional and international partners.The conference is part of broader efforts to strengthen Arab co-operation in heritage preservation and to identify innovative solutions to the challenges facing this vital sector, reflecting Qatar's deep commitment to safeguarding human heritage as a pillar of national and Arab identity.It aims to spotlight the significance of heritage sustainability amidst environmental, technological, and social transformations, while developing future strategies based on scientific approaches and innovative practices, and enhancing heritage as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and a driver of sustainable development.The conference focuses on key objectives, including addressing environmental, climatic, and human challenges affecting archaeological and heritage sites, contributing to long-term strategic visions for heritage sustainability, supporting Arab co-operation in heritage safeguarding and knowledge exchange, and ensuring cultural heritage remains a marker of identity and history, serving as a source of inspiration and creativity for current and future generations.

HE the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, inaugurated Sunday three distinguished art exhibitions at the Qatar's epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech (M7). The distinguished art exhibitions include "Fashion Trust Arabia: Threads of Impact," which celebrates the 7th anniversary of the Fashion Trust Arabia initiative; "Houbara Haven tiara" by Chaumet, featuring Qatari designer Aisha al-Attiyah; and "Amazigh Hair Couture," curated by Moroccan artists Lalla Essaydi and Amina Agueznay, under the creative direction of Ilham Mastour. In her remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Maha al-Sulaiti said that the "Fashion Trust Arabia: Threads of Impact" exhibition includes the works of more than 90 designers supported by the Fashion Trust Arabia initiative, including Fashion Trust Arabia Award winners, finalists, and designers from Qatar. She added that fashion tells stories, connects cultures, and sparks creativity. As a leading centre for innovation in fashion and design, M7 is committed to accelerating the growth of the creative economy, and Fashion Trust Arabia plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. Together, M7 and Fashion Trust Arabia continue to drive impactful transformations in this sector." Al-Sulaiti indicated that M7, in partnership with Chaumet, launched the "Chaumet Tiara Project" in 2024, in light of the momentum generated by the "Chaumet and Nature" exhibition held at M7 in Doha, which celebrated the jewellery designed by the house inspired by nature as part of the legacy of the "Qatar-France 2020" Year of Culture. She pointed out that the "Houbara Haven tiara" exhibition by Chaumet, by Qatari designer Aisha al-Attiyah, chronicles the tiara's journey from dream to reality. It was the winning design from among 80 participants who submitted entries to the competition launched by M7. The exhibition offers visitors behind-the-scenes insights into the collaboration between designer Al-Attiyah and Chaumet. Through sketches, photographs, and archival documents, it reveals how al-Attiyah was able to embody her unique vision and touch in a dialogue that pulsates with the rich heritage of the luxury jewellery house. Al-Attiyah told QNA that creating the tiara took her 740 hours and required precise and dedicated work in the Chaumet luxury jewellery workshop, with a group of craftsmen contributing to the crafting, setting, polishing, and engraving. She added that she is extremely happy to be the winning designer of the Chaumet Tiara project. She said that this event is a turning point in her journey as an emerging jewellery designer. It is a great honor to benefit from the support of M7 during this experience, as she benefits from the knowledge of the designers, craftsmen, and skilled artisans at the Maison Chaumet, who brought her design to life with their valuable expertise. She expressed her pride to share Qatar's rich history with the world through this masterpiece. The exhibition's design takes visitors on a journey inspired by the falcon's hunting patterns, exploring spaces that evoke its search path and the Houbara's haven. Ultimately, the tiara is revealed amidst jewels colored in shades of green, symbolising the "Awsaj" bush. Director of M7, Maha al-Sulaiti said that the 'Amazigh Hair Couture' exhibition celebrates the artistry, heritage, and cultural symbolism of Amazigh hair traditions, specifically from Morocco. She deemed the exhibition, "A powerful celebration of identity and artistic expression, reflecting M7's mission to elevate diverse voices and connect regional talents with global audiences. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Ilham Mestour and provide a platform for Arab and North African designers and artists such as Lalla Essaydi and Amina Agueznay to continue to champion and reclaim authorship over their narratives, sharing traditions in ways that are both contemporary and rooted in culture." In turn, Hair Artist and the Exhibition's Creative Director, Ilham Mestour said that 'Amazigh Hair Couture' is organised across four thematic zones, these are: Roots and Rituals, Body and Soul, Reframing the Gaze, and Crafting Continuity, adding that it explores how hair serves as a vital carrier of memory, beauty, resistance, and identity within matrilineal Amazigh cultures. Mestour pointed out that the exhibition draws from a history stretching back thousands of years and that the works on view span archival material and contemporary practice, highlighing the resilience and creativity embedded in these rituals, and affirming hair as a medium of care, representation, and intergenerational legacy. "Through this exhibition, I honour my Amazigh ancestry by transforming inherited rituals into my work globally, carrying forward the voices of the past," Mestour said, adding, "My collaboration with M7, from teaching in the Mastering Hair masterclass to presenting my work in this exhibition, enables me to continue to share these traditions and ensure they remain alive for future generations of creatives." The exhibition is curated by Rajae El Mouhandiz, an interdisciplinary artist and curator based in Rotterdam, and brings together fine art photography, scent, hair installations, textile works, and ethnographic archival material. "Amazigh Hair Couture" is organised as a legacy of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, which was one of the initiative's most beloved celebrations, with a strong legacy of ongoing partnerships across heritage, creative economies, social and economic development and innovation. The M7 exhibition programme is part of Qatar Museums' 20th anniversary programming which is being celebrated under the banner of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign to honour the nation's cultural journey over the past 50 years. It is also part of the Qatar Creates Fall/Winter 2025 season. (QNA)