Qatar Creates lines up full-year cultural activities before World Cup

Doha: The country will witness an all-year round arts and cultural offerings starting this autumn, a new initiative of the government as the most-awaited FIFA World Cup Qatar is set a few months from now.

H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, revealed yesterday during the Qatar Creates press launch held at M7, Msheireb Downtown Doha, the transformation of Qatar Creates from a limited period into a year-long national cultural movement, for local and international audiences.

“Qatar Creates will now be the all-embracing vehicle that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar. Through Qatar Creates, we offer residents and visitors the ongoing opportunity to immerse themselves in the myriad cultural, leisure and entertainment offerings across the country,” she said in a speech. 

As the country is set to host the World Cup in November, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa highlighted that Qatar Creates will be the “animating force for spectacular cultural events and extraordinary special art experiences, confirming Qatar’s reputation as an outstanding cultural destination both regionally and internationally.”

She added: “Many of our initiatives will also raise funds to support the creative economy and impact environmental change by supporting innovative ideas that are directly addressing this global challenge.”

H E Sheikha Al Mayassa noted the country’s commmitment to originating art, culture and heritage experiences from within Qatar. “We are encouraging and supporting the creativity of our people. We are opening a multitude of opportunities in the creative industries, especially for the young, as we do our part to develop a sustainable economy. And we are engaging with other people throughout the world, showing them the best of ourselves, while enabling our own people to encounter other cultures.”

Starting this autumn, jam-packed events are lined-up all around Qatar – 17 exhibitions across five museum and five creative hubs, 10 high-profile events, three live festivals, 15 Qatar Creates lounges and over 80 public art installations across the country. The latest public art which has been unveiled at Lusail City is called ‘Egal’ by Qatari artist Shouq Al Mana, the new sculpture, represents a part of the headwear worn by Qatari men. Egal serves as a tribute to Qatar’s history and traditions, by representing a piece of cultural headwear worn by men as part of the traditional attire.

The QM Chairperson noted that Qatar Creates will expand and grow beyond the World Cup. “Our aim is for it to touch and enrich people’s life. And for this reason, we are proud to invite everyone to participate in Qatar Creates, in whatever capacity they are able.”

The cultural initiative was launched in 2019, and is an annual celebration of art, fashion, design, culture and architecture through a week-long series of community events and programmes including fashion shows, exhibitions, tours, workshops and panel discussions.

H E Sheikha Al Mayassa invited the community to participate in Qatar Creates through tiered membership programme, One Pass – a gateway to arts and culture for both residents and visitors alike, providing pass holder access to museums, events, festival, theatrical experiences, among others. Tiered-level pass bearers will enjoy benefits including free admission to all museums, discounts at events and performances, restaurants, and local retailers and front-of-line privileges. Moreover, they will receive a daily newsletter of events and access to an online portal on what’s happening in Doha during the World Cup.

“By bringing this all together with the One Pass, our hope is that everyone will have the opportunity to live it all, to experience the very best our country has to offer, turning visitors into ambassadors who will share their experiences and want to return to Qatar again and again,” she said.