H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani launched the second Mal Lawal biennial yesterday at Doha Exhibition Center (DEC).
Presented by Qatar Museums, the expo showcases 4,000 traditional artefacts collected by over 110 Qatari private collectors and 42 from the GCC region.
Organised into nine categories, Mal Lawal (‘from the old days’ in Qatari dialect) features manuscripts, weapons, Islamic collections, old maps, ethnographic/ heritage items, antiquities, jewellery, clothing and accessories and other rare items.
This year, new elements have been introduced.
Four majilis settings give visitors a glimpse into the heart of a traditional Qatari home.
Live video links deliver a virtual experience of eight ‘home museums’ and their private collections.
More than 100 ‘oral histories’ captured in mini-films document and celebrate the memories and observations of venerable Qatari elders.
The expo also features a food court and cafes serving traditional dishes, as well as a children’s area with a mobile cinema.
Inspired by traditional streets, villages and avenues of old Qatar, or ‘Al Fergan’, the walls of the expo are shaped as arcs extending in some cases to 40 metres to accommodate thousands of pieces.
H E Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani, Deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees, QM, said: “We’re delighted to present the second edition of Mal Lawal, in conjunction with National Day celebrations, highlighting Qatar’s unique heritage.
By raising awareness of such objects’ importance and instilling love of preserving their historical, social and cultural worth, Mal Lawal encapsulates QM’s strategy of focusing on art, creativity and heritage to honour the traditions of the past while embracing the future.
To exhibit as many entries as possible and provide visitors with the best overview of the rich culture and heritage the region offers, the organising committee has moved the expo to DEC, with a space spanning 8,000sqm.
Nasser Al Hammadi, expo Chairman and Curator, said: “Mal Lawal demonstrates how valuable participating in exhibitions and the wide range of events available to local communities can be in teaching us about our culture and heritage.
Our hope is that this exhibition strengthens a spirit of national participation.” Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager, Oxy Qatar, main sponsor of the expo, said: “Oxy Qatar is again honoured to support the second edition of Mal Lawal, allowing us to witness and support the preservation of Qatar’s heritage, values and identity.
We hope the unique sense of engagement and community the expo creates will further enhance awareness and appreciation of local art and cultural heritage, particularly among the younger generation in Qatar.” The expo is open to the public from today until February 28.
THE PENINSULA
