DOHA: The second edition of Mal Lawal exhibition will take place from November 2014 to January 2015 at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre, the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) announced yesterday.
Mal Lawal, meaning “from the old days” in Qatari dialect, will feature pieces of collectors across Qatar and the GCC. Visual treasures to be displayed will include all categories of rare collections such as artefacts, manuscripts, weapons, Islamic collections, old maps, ethnographic/heritage items, antiques and antiquities, jewelries, clothing and accessories.
Subject to a certain criteria, objects from all over the world are eligible to be displayed in the exhibition which depicts the past, present and future of Qatar; giving the public a deeper understanding of the country’s heritage and culture.
Collectors are invited to participate by contributing pieces they feel reflect the region’s heritage and culture and works that tell stories of day to day activities and livelihoods.
“As we continue to work towards our nation’s vision, we are constantly reminded and inspired by our past. Mal Lawal will be doing exactly that, as it invites collectors to enter the Museum world. This will qualify them to be able to reflect our traditions, which in turn can be carried into the future. We are excited to be hosting a show that celebrates the region’s identity,” said Nasser Al Hammadi, Curator and Heritage Expert at the National Museum of Qatar and chairperson of the second edition of Mal Lawal.
“Exhibitions such as Mal Lawal enable us at QMA to achieve some of our many ambitions to connect with our country’s many different communities and the community of the wider GCC; namely, to foster a spirit of national participation, and to demonstrate how we can all learn about culture and heritage through such exhibitions and other museum events. We want to encourage the conservation of our culture as well as the celebration of our heritage. Mal Lawal is just one example of how the community can play an important role in showcasing our nation’s culture. Such exhibitions educate visitors about national identity and allow collaboration not only between Qatar and the wider GCC but between museum bodies and the general public,” said Hammadi.
The exhibition is part of QMA’s series of programs and exhibitions, encouraging audiences to participate in the cultural development of Qatar. It follows on a similar 2012 show of the same name, in which both collectors and artists exhibited their work to promote the education of and engagement with Qatar’s history and heritage.
“Oxy Qatar is delighted to partner with QMA to support the second Mal Lawal exhibition. After sponsoring the inaugural exhibition in 2012, we are excited to see it return, and we look forward to it becoming a longstanding tradition in Qatar. In addition to encouraging public-private partnerships, Mal Lawal provides a special opportunity for community members to actively participate in the promotion of Qatari culture and traditions. We hope the unique sense of engagement and community that Mal Lawal creates will further enhance public awareness and appreciation of local art and cultural heritage, particularly among the younger generation in Qatar,” said Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager of Oxy Qatar, the Principal Sponsor of the exhibition.
Interested collectors may contact 33118850. For more information visit www.qma.org.qa
The Peninsula
