Today, On the Move, the first travelling exhibition produced by National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) opened at the National Museum of Mongolia,located in Ulaanbaatar. Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar, the exhibition’s premiere in Mongolia follows extensive collaboration with the National Museum of Mongolia on the initial showcase, which was presented at NMoQ in October 2022.
On the Move, which formed part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, first debuted in Doha, Qatar, from 26 October 2022 to 14 January 2023, captivating audiences with its portrayal of nomadic culture and heritage from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The exhibition garnered significant attention during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and was one of Qatar Museums’ (QM) most visited exhibitions that year.
Now, showcased outside of Qatar for the first time, the exhibition shifts its focus to the practices of Qatar's nomadic pastoralists. Through a stunning array of objects, historical images, and archival footage, On the Move highlights the complex and beautiful cultural forms – as well as the meaningful social relationships – created and maintained by pastoralists in Qatar, who move with the herds that they tend. Visitors can explore the traditions and social values embedded in nomadic life, from the intricacies of daily routines to special occasions like weddings and religious celebrations.
The exhibition, featuring artifacts loaned from the collections of NMoQ and QM, will run until August 11, 2024, at the National Museum of Mongolia, providing a unique opportunity for the Mongolian public and visitors to engage with Qatar's heritage and culture.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani commented “On the Move takes visitors on a unique historical journey throughout our past. We are proud of be presenting this special exhibition outside of Qatar for the first time, celebrating our longstanding ties with Mongolia, and sharing our culture with the world.”
Director of the National Museum of Mongolia Enkhbat Galbadrakh said, “The National Museum Mongolia is glad to open the On the Move exhibition. We are reflecting on the diversity of human civilization and the pastoralism value of nomadic culture, and this special exhibition gives the Mongolian audience a unique opportunity to feel the value of comparing the culture and history of Qatar and Mongolia.”
The exhibition opening was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Thani, NMoQ Director in the presence of Tania Al-Majid, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at NMoQ, Dr. Alexandra Bounia, Senior Museum Development Specialist at NMoQ, Sung Hyun IM, Head of Conservation at NMoQ, Najma Ahmed, Social and Oral History Researcher at NMoQ, and Talal Radan Al Shammari, Protocol Coordinator at NMoQ.
Representing Mongolia at the opening was Battur Purevsuren, State Secretary of the Minister of Culture, who expressed gratitude for Qatar's initiative in bringing their cultural heritage to the Mongolian public. In attendance as well was Anand Amgalan Director General, Department of the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Bulgan Dansran Director General, Department of Public Diplomacy and Cultural Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Davaatseren Byambatseren Head of Department for Coordination of Cultural Heritage Policy of Ministry of Culture of Mongolia; Tsenguun Bolor Department of Foreign Relations and Cooperation chief, Ministry of Culture; Enkhbat Galbadrakh, Ph.D, Director of the National Museum of Mongolia, as well as Mongolian Museums Directors.
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National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) preserves and celebrates the history of Qatar. It engages with its present and inspires the country's ambitions for the future. The Museum, which opened in March 2019, gives voice to the country's culture and heritage through artefacts, oral histories, music, films, and artworks. The NMoQ takes the visitor on an immersive and multisensory journey of its 1.5 km thematic and chronological galleries. The iconic building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, is inspired by the desert rose and comprises of large interlocking disks of different diameters and curvatures that surround the restored historic palace of the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, ruler of Qatar (1913 – 1949). Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani serves as director.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival. Future projects include the soon to open 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
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Press Contacts:
Malak Latrous, mlaroussi@qm.org.qa, +974 4452 5851
Mohammed Khames Al Abdallah, mfaraj@qm.org.qa, +974 4402 8544