IMAGE: QATAR TOURISM
STUDY IN QATAR
PART 1: CULTURE
The Qatari government’s massive ongoing programme of investment to establish or attract world-class art institutions, entertainment venues and events spaces has done much to support its wider aim of transforming and advancing the country though its ambitious Qatar National Vision 2030 programme. Centred on the capital, the country’s
booming cultural offering, unrecognisable from 20 or even 10 years ago, has seen Doha blossom into a global powerhouse in the arts, with a strong focus on both regional and international disciplines. Here’s a taste of what discerning students can expect to find in the city.
Public art installations Qatar’s belief in bringing art to the people extends to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, home to such emblematic offerings as Urs Fischer’s Lamp/Bear; Desert Horse, by Ali Hassan; and the giant golden Falcon by Tom Claassen, unveiled in July. Gandhi’s Three Monkeys, in Katara, is
among Doha’s more thought-provoking pieces, while interactive pieces such as Folded Extracted Personified, in MIA Park, take a more playful line. Others enjoy Arabic influences. Take eL Seed’s 52 large ‘calligraffiti’ murals aside Salwa Road, or the 7 sculpture in MIA Park, created by Richard Serra whose large-scale East-West/ West-East enlivens Brouq Nature Reserve. Maman, one of Louise Bourgeois’ giant
spider sculptures, at the Qatar National Convention Centre, is a popular stop on Doha art tours, while the polished bronze thumb sculpture, Pouce, makes a handy meeting point in Souq Waqif. Other big names in evidence include
Damien Hirst, whose monumental work, The Miraculous Journey, outside Sidra Medical Centre, chronicles the human gestation process.
26 Study in Qatar | 2022
National Museum of Qatar The National Museum of Qatar, or NMoQ, has been inspiring locals and visitors since opening its doors in the capital in 2019. Thanks to French architect Jean Nouvel’s striking modern design, inspired by the Qatari desert rose, the architecture is almost as much of a talking point as the exhibits that serve to tell the story of the country and its people. There’s no shortage of spaces to hang out in or study, and admission is free for locals. Students will also appreciate the extensive onsite resources and digital archives, and the exquisitely landscaped grounds, accented with indigenous plants. Stop off at Jiwan, the beautiful restaurant at NMoQ, which features a stunning chandelier made from Qatari pearls.
Mshereib Downtown Centred on the old commercial district, near Souk Waqif, the 75-acre Msheireb Downtown Doha project, begun in 2010, is transforming Doha’s city centre into the most sustainable downtown area of any global capital. It houses Doha’s most unique and quirky cafes and the newly-opened Harrods Tea Room. Designed to have minimal impact on the environment, operating in harmony with the landscape, this new ‘green’ hub for locals to live, work and play in is a statement of intent for the government’s sustainable agenda.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum Few museums cover as broad a remit as the FBQ, just outside Doha. Based around a collection of personal effects and artefacts amassed by the prominent businessman, born in 1948, it serves to chronicle not only his life and travels but a pivotal period in the country’s history. Thankfully, expert tour guides are on hand to help visitors navigate the vast collections, split among four main focuses: Islamic Art, Qatar Heritage, Vehicles, and Coins & Currency.
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