What’s On – Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture
19 March @ 8:00 am - 31 December @ 5:00 pm
As Qatar embarks on the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, several museums and institutions in Doha are highlighting treasures from their collections that celebrate Moroccan culture and artistry.
| Berber Jewelry Collection from the Royal PalaceMuseum of Islamic Art20 Feb 2024-20 May 2024 | Berber Jewelry Collection from the Royal Palace is the inaugural Qatar-Morocco 2024 Years of Culture exhibition. It features more than 200 historical and culturally significant pieces from Morocco’s Oudayas, National Museum of Adornment in Rabat and represents the diverse regions of Morocco. The exhibition marks the first time the Royal Collection travels outside of Morocco. It is organized by the National Foundation of Museums of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Museum of Islamic Art. It was coordinated by Adel El Fakir, General Commissioner of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. |
| Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archeological SitesSubmission period: March 11 – June 30, 2024 | The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, launched the Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archeological Sites in the Arab region, with the Kingdom of Morocco chosen as the country of honour for the first edition of the award.The new prize includes two categories: research on an original, unpublished manuscript; and the best research study on archaeological sites or monuments in the Arab region. Submissions for the first edition of the award, competing for a total prize of $90,000, will be accepted starting March 11 for three months. Participation is open to all nationalities. |
| Desert of the NorthThe Ned Hotel AtriumPermanent InstallationAmine El Gotaibi | Amine El Gotaibi is a Moroccan designer and fine artist who often works with natural materials, such as wool and earth. El Gotaibi is particularly interested in exploring tensions that exist between opposing positions, forms, and materials. This can be seen in his commission for The Ned Hotel in Doha and Design Doha Biennale, Desert of the North. The piece looks at these tensions by juxtaposing wool and copper to explore how they interact with each other and the surrounding environment and light conditions. Each thread of wool in the Desert of the North cascades from strands of copper, which are constantly shifting, changing colour, in motion, and responding to environmental conditions. |
| Museum of Islamic Art Permanent Collection | The Museum of Islamic Art features several artefacts that celebrate Moroccan culture, including a Quran, astrolabe, bridal necklace, and earrings, a collection of Hadith, and a wooden arch. Together, they offer insights into the culture, history, traditions, and artistic expressions of Morocco. A special astrolabe, crafted by leading medieval North African instrument maker Abu Bakr ibn Yusuf, features his trademark praying mantis engravings. The final segment of a 30-volume Quran originating from 17th-century Morocco was written by Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Ibrahim in the Maghribi script using European numerals, a distinctive trait of North African and Andalusian manuscripts. A compilation of hadith is a section of the Jami‘ al-Sahih, which compiles 7,397 hadiths and is part of the 600,000 collected by scholar Muhammad Ibn Isma‘il al-Bukhari in the 9th century. A gold bridal set (Gallery 1, 2nd Floor) depicts Moroccan style and craftsmanship, reflecting Amazigh traditions with hints of Ottoman and Spanish influences. The MIA pieces stand out from the typical silver jewellery of 18th- and 19th-century Morocco, showcasing the wealth and tastes of the urban aristocracy. The intricate filigree and enamel work was also rare for the period as most ornaments at that time would have been valued according to weight rather than workmanship. |
| 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Permanent Collection | A duo of Moroccan runners is profiled in the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum’s Hall of Athletes. “King of the Mile” Hicham El Guerroouj and trailblazer Nawal El Moutawakel, exemplify Morocco’s impressive sporting culture. El Guerrouj won gold and set speed records in the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter races at the 2004 Olympics. After retirement, El Guerrouj served on the International Olympic Committee and worked to fight doping in athletics. El Moutawakel won gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics. As the first Moroccan to win gold, she inspired her compatriots and women in the Arab world and beyond. In 2012, she became the first woman from a Muslim Arab nation to be elected as Vice President of the International Olympic Committee. |
| Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Permanent Exhibition Galleries | MATHAF: The Arab Museum of Modern Art hosts an extensive collection of works by modern and contemporary Moroccan artists several of which are displayed in the recently rehung permanent galleries 8–11. Gallery 8, Women in Society, highlights iconic works that challenge representations of women’s identity. Depictions of everyday life and family are core elements of understanding the region’s culture, such as in the works of Chaibia Talal (1929–2004). The self-taught Moroccan artist looked at women in society through her personal experiences and depicted everyday life through bold colour paintings and ink drawings. Her artwork, Les Tisseuses De Chtouka (1987), is displayed in G8. Gallery 11 presents an independent identity of abstract expressionism inspired by cultural practices. A central characteristic of the artistic practices on display is their rhythmic flow, creating a visual encounter of colour and material. This gallery features several pieces by Mohamed Melehi (1936–2020), including, Rejected (1962) and Blue Moon (1982). Melehi was a pioneering figure of Moroccan modernism known for his evolution of geometric abstraction. Influenced by the communicative nature of music and the beaches of his hometown in Morocco, Asilah, Melehi developed his most recognised motif during the 1960s; the waves. Several works by Moroccan artists are also included as part of the “Distilled Lessons: Abstraction in Arab Modernism” exhibition on view at Mathaf through May 4, 2024. This exhibition examines experiments in abstraction that differentiate Arab modernism from its counterparts around the globe, particularly calligraphy and ornamentation. |
For more information about the Qatar Museums, visit Qatar Museum