This vast exhibition, which will remain open to the public until March 8, 2025, will take visitors on a journey to discover Moroccan heritage, highlighting the forces that have shaped the unique identity of this country, it is indicated. in a press release. Organized as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture 2024, the exhibition presents artifacts, manuscripts, instruments, jewelry and photographs recounting the history, society and artistic expressions of the Kingdom, while highlighting its active role in revitalizing the country’s current cultures. The “Splendors of the Atlas” exhibition presents a collection of loaned pieces, never before exhibited in Qatar, from various Moroccan institutions such as the National Museum Foundation and the National Library of Rabat. A series of unpublished works from the collections of the Qatar Museums, the Museum of Islamic Art and the future Lusail Museum will also be exhibited, underlines the same source, noting that the curator of this exhibition will be Dr. Monia Chokhab Aboudi, deputy director of museum affairs at the Museum of Islamic Art.
On this occasion, Chairwoman of the Years of Culture initiative and the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, quoted in the press release, said: « We are very fortunate to collaborate with Moroccan institutions as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture 2024 ». This collaboration, she argued, will allow Qataris and residents to better understand the great Islamic traditions of our North African neighbors. “Our shared commitment to the expansion of knowledge, scientific discoveries and artistic excellence has created fertile ground for the rich program of this cultural year,” she said. The Years of Culture initiative promotes sustainable cultural partnerships between Qatar and partner countries, aiming to strengthen respect and understanding between diverse cultures and encourage people to unite. For her part, the director of the Museum of Islamic Art, Sheikha Nasser Al Nasr, noted that there is no better place than the Museum of Islamic Art to host this magnificent exhibition, being dedicated to the preservation, to the exhibition and dissemination of Islamic cultures from around the world. By organizing this exhibition, we wanted to highlight the multifaceted Moroccan cultural identity, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the country’s rich heritage, she explained, believing that this exhibition creates a bridge between the past and the present, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of Moroccan culture and its enduring global heritage. And to specify that the “Splendors of the Atlas” exhibition is organized into five sections, each addressing a specific theme, illustrating the diverse and interconnected cultures of Morocco and their lasting influence on contemporary life. It is « Faces of Morocco: nature and society », an introductory exhibition which offers visitors a captivating collection of photographs taken by Bruno Barbey, Irving Penn, Lalla Essaydi, Mous Lamrabat and Mounir Raji. These images illustrate the environmental diversity and contemporary populations of Morocco, also providing insight into the daily lives of Arab and Berber communities and the landscapes they pass through.
« Spirit of Morocco: Kings, Saints and Thinkers », an exploration of the history of Morocco’s ruling dynasty which sowed the seeds of knowledge in the religious sciences and contributed to scientific advances in Fez and Marrakech, the two major centers of erudition. This section highlights how Moroccan leaders, direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him), paved the way for the pursuit of scientific research in astronomy, mathematics, medicine and other fields. It particularly focuses on higher education institutions, such as Al Quaraouiyine University, founded by Muslim Fatima Al-Fihriya in 859, the world’s oldest continuously operating university. “Fabric of Traditions: Moroccan Crafts,” the largest section of the exhibition that explores the central role of craftsmanship in the diverse Moroccan cultures, highlighting the prosperity of many industries passed down from generation to generation, such as leather, textiles, carpets, ceramics, jewelry and woodworking. The ceramic works reflect Morocco’s Islamic heritage, including Berber and Andalusian influences, while the handmade textiles illustrate the country as a crossroads of civilizations, where influences from Africa, Europe and the Middle Orient meet under one roof. This section also includes traditional clothing and jewelry, such as the caftans worn by women during celebrations and events, showing how designers and artisans have preserved their traditional costumes while adapting them to contemporary needs. The design of this section is inspired by Moroccan craft workshops and markets, providing visitors with a captivating experience.
The exhibition also includes a section titled « Traditional Sounds of Morocco », which is a presentation of musical instruments from the Dar Jamai Museum in Meknes, used in various creations ranging from the Andalusian symphonies of the cities to the Gnawa music of southern Morocco . The pieces on display will be accompanied by videos, offering an insight into the distinctive musical heritage of the different regions. “Homage to Contemporary Moroccan Crafts” is a section showcasing Moroccan artisanal mastery with a modern twist, presenting seven works commissioned from Moroccan designer Noureddine Amir. The pieces respect the standards of traditional craftsmanship while integrating elements of innovation to become new and striking abstract works, suspended from the ceiling of the exhibition, accompanied by light installations to better appreciate the texture of traditional textiles and the techniques of their manufacture. The exhibition will be accompanied by a book containing short essays on the themes covered in the main sections, as well as photos and detailed information on each work presented. Many pieces belonging to the Qatar Museums collections will be exhibited for the first time.
