Qatar Museums is making a significant cultural statement at the 2024 Summer Olympics, using the global event to promote its heritage and cultural diplomacy. The Gulf nation’s premier art institution is marking its 40-year Olympic journey with an array of exhibitions and public events in Paris.
Among the highlights are several exhibitions, book launches, and a special event at the renowned Le Dali restaurant at Le Meurice hotel, featuring Doha’s Jiwan restaurant to spotlight Qatari culinary traditions. Additionally, Qatar Museums is unveiling the first Arabic translation of “Textes Choisis” by Pierre de Coubertin, the French historian credited with founding the modern Olympic Games.
Central to the celebration are two key exhibitions curated by Qatar Museums and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum: “Olympism: More Than a Dream,” showcasing 40 years of Qatar’s Olympic history, and “Esports: A Game Changer,” which explores the intersection of esports with traditional sports. The former runs until August 25, and the latter until September 8 at Residence Citeaux in Paris.
“Olympism: More Than a Dream” features notable memorabilia, including Qatar’s first Olympic medal, a bronze won by Mohammed Suleiman in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and Mutaz Barshim’s gold medal in the high jump from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In discussing the initiative, Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums, emphasized, “In parallel with the Summer 2024 Olympics, the last few weeks witnessed Qatar Museums organizing a spectacular lineup of programs in Paris, affirming our longstanding commitment to cultural diplomacy and role in highlighting Qatar’s history and culture in the international arena.”
He added, “Stemming from the 2014 Cultural Agreement between Qatar and France, the summer program continues the legacy of the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture.
It celebrates a shared passion for sport in both countries, strengthens exchange, and highlights Qatar’s offerings internationally.”
The exhibition launch was attended by notable figures including Qatar’s Ambassador to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Qatar Football Association President Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, and the Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Thani bin Abdulrahman Al-Kuwari.
Qatar Museums’ involvement in the Olympics is part of a broader tradition of blending art and sports, previously demonstrated at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Bayt and at the 2012 Heya exhibition celebrating Arab sportswomen.