Art and culture a ‘beating heart’ connecting East and West: QM CEO
For Qatar Museums’ former CEO Ahmad al-Namla, art and culture are not only central to how a country tells its story, but also an essential means of communication between East and West. In the latest E...
Ahmad al-Namla, former CEO of Qatar Museums, sees art and culture as the "beating heart" and "artery of communication" between East and West, according to the Evolution Nation video series. He views these cultural elements as essential in helping societies better understand and accept one another. Nearly four years after Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, al-Namla reflects on the significant preparations undertaken by Qatar Museums during the event.
These preparations aimed to showcase Qatar's history, identity, and heritage to international visitors. One of the most cherished objects displayed at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) during this period is the Baroda Carpet. Measuring 2.64 metres by 1.74 metres, this 19th-century masterpiece is a striking piece of silk thread on a natural deerskin base, adorned with over 1.5 million natural marine pearls sourced from the coasts of Qatar and Bahrain.
Al-Namla fondly remembers the Baroda Carpet, calling it an "icon" of Qatar's cultural heritage. Beyond individual works and exhibitions, al-Namla emphasizes the crucial role of art and culture in fostering communication and understanding between societies and across different histories, perspectives, and traditions. For him, art and culture serve as the "artery of communication" between East and West, just as the tradition of hospitality is deeply ingrained in Qatar's society.
Al-Namla highlights the World Cup as a unique opportunity to not only welcome visitors but also to share Qatar's stories and objects that reflect its rich history and connections with the world.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
