From hotels to malls and heritage sites: art galore in the run-up to World Cup

The efforts of Qatari institutions, led by Qatar Museums have combined to transform the country into an open museum that pleases the onlookers, by paying attention to promoting the culture of visual arts in the community and in every part of the country in preparation for hosting the most prominent and important event of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which begins on November 20, 2022.


Qatari hotels decorated with the most magnificent Qatari and world paintings

In preparation for its World Cup guests, Qatari hotels were decorated with a collection of the most magnificent works of art that express the heritage and culture in Qatar, the most important model for Qatari hotels was Katara Hospitality, a company that owns, manages and develops a group of luxury hotels and resorts globally based in Qatar, as it was keen to reflect the Qatari culture in the visual vision of its guests, this is confirmed by Dr Khalid Hassan Al-Naama, Managing Director of the Projects Department at Katara Hospitality, in a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) saying that in 2020, Katara Hospitality participated with a number of foundations in Qatar Art initiative that reflects Katara Hospitality Company's values of creating communication through unique human experiences to introduce Qatari heritage.

He added that the promotion of culture in Qatar through heritage artistic endeavors will ultimately lead to its improvement and protection, so through this practical application, which enriches the artistic environment effectively through heritage-inspired designs developed by Qatari artists at Qatar Art, pointing out that Katara Hospitality is working to take advantage of this initiative for its guests so that they are introduced to Qatar's history, heritage and culture professionally and accurately, because these wonderful artistic interpretations of Qatari heritage will leave an indelible impression in the minds of visitors.

Dr. Khaled Hassan Al Naama explained that Katara Hospitality is continuously working with Qatar museums through a range of partnerships.recently, the "Heritage" lounge was opened at Salwa beach resort, an exclusive lounge for villa and suite guests as well as Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members, which is rich in heritage and urban orientation, the lounge displays unique works of art by local artists all over the country.

He stressed that the Katara Hospitality hotels group provides a creative visual vision, whether from local works of art, for example, the Qatari artist Nouf Al- Abdullah was collaborated to decorate the entrance to the Hilton Salwa beach resort and villas, and works by international artists are also displayed in other hotels, such as the Finnish artist Matti Sirvio, whose works are exhibited at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, or the German artist Han-Kook (Blue Rooster) in the lobby of the Sheraton Grand Doha and many other works in various hotels.

A number of hotels also host galleries of local and international works of art, the most important of which is the St. Regis Hotel Doha, which hosts the gallery "Eiwan Al Gassar", so Qatari hotels can serve a visual vision full of fun for the guests of the World Cup.


Shopping malls display visual attraction.

Shopping malls in Qatar shape the aesthetic vision of visitors to the country during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

During shopping, visitors will enjoy many artistic and creative works, as well as many inspiring cultural events that bring Qatari culture closer to the multicultural audience, embracing creations that express the cultures of the participating countries in the World Cup, one of the most important of which is Al Hazm mall, which is an architectural gem located in the heart of Doha, close to major tourist and commercial centers.

In a statement to Qatar news agency (QNA) CEO of Al Emadi Enterprises and Al Hazm, Mohammed Abdul-karim Al Emadi, said that Al Hazm participates in the preparations of all national institutions for this world's most prominent event, the Qatar World Cup 2022, where Arabic sessions will be placed where the visitor can sit and enjoy a cup of Arabic coffee and a selection of Qatari plates and watch Qatari folklore teams presenting a distinctive show that reflects the Qatari heritage.

He added that a special art exhibition will be dedicated to the World Cup in cooperation with a group of Qatari artists, in order to display a collection of works, pointing out that television screens will be placed in the outdoor air-conditioned arenas of Al Hazm to view the World Cup matches, as well as the mall's readiness to receive the participating teams and the organizers of the tournament to enjoy distinctive hospitality in its luxurious restaurants, which will serve various dishes from different cultures of different countries throughout the days of the championship.

As part of its preparations for the reception of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Hyatt Plaza, as one of the most important commercial complexes, is preparing to give its own touch. This was confirmed by its Head of Marketing Mohammed Al-Hawamdeh in his speech to Qatar news agency (QNA), explaining that the mall's corridors will be decorated with the most magnificent special decorations in celebration of the World Cup in Qatar to reflect the spirit of the past, present and future.

He said that Hyatt Plaza prepared for this huge event with a set of distinguished designs, which in turn brings together all the peoples of the world for the first time in an Arab country. These designs include various figures such as football figures, horses, purebred Arabian camels and others, as well as providing entertainment activities for children and their families during this occasion.

Doha Festival City, one of the most important tourist and entertainment destinations in Doha, has prepared for this event, as its decorations will be simulating the World Cup event throughout the mall, including places dedicated to photography, and there will also be special arts related to football and the State of Qatar during this period, to reflect the spirit of Qatari culture in its squares and corridors, where it holds arts by local painters of Arab, Islamic and calligraphic art.

The Villaggio complex is also decorated with flags of the participating countries in the World Cup, in addition to some distinctive interior lighting, as well as organizing artistic performances on the rink reflecting the Qatari culture, in addition to various cultures of countries participating in the World Cup.

The management of the Abu Sidra mall complex located in the Muaither area confirmed that programs have been prepared during the hosting of the World Cup through the presence of various paintings throughout the complex containing images inspired by Qatari culture, images of camels, falcons, horses and other images. A tent will also be placed inside the complex for hospitality and serving coffee, tea and dates, as well as a screen in the complex to highlight Qatari landmarks and distinctive art forms that fascinate visitors.

The visitor of the City Center Doha, one of the most important destinations in the country, will be pleased to see its collection of Qatari and Arab antiques and paintings, as it has a huge collection of heritage collectibles and old cars of various sizes, as this mall is considered a museum open to visitors.

Visitors will also have a privilege with the visual beauty in the Mall of Qatar, Vendome Place in Lusail City, Ezdan Mall, Dar Al Salam and various commercial complexes, with multiple visions of the aesthetics of culture and creativity in Qatar to turn the shopping experience in these malls into shopping and visual dazzle.


Qatar is replete with tourist attractions.

Qatar is full of heritage sites and many museums, libraries and tourist attractions that will remain in the memory of the fans of the World Cup in Qatar in terms of its architectural structure, whether the archaeological or modern buildings that have been designed on the latest international methods to be architectural masterpieces, towers, and castles, the most important of these sites is Al Zubarah fort that overlooks a nearby archaeological site of a village once famous for trade and pearl diving, and today this fort has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of those sites is the Ar Rakiyat Fort, considered a typical example of desert castles, as it contains three rectangular towers and a round one, in addition to rock carvings and islands that tell about the past of the State of Qatar, Ras Abrouq, a peninsula located on the west coast, having the remains of human settlement dating back to prehistoric times, and many archaeological sites from prehistoric times have located in a protected location within the Gulf of Khor Shaqiq, the island is rich in natural heritage that attracts visitors.

Souq Waqif is a great example of the attractive destinations in Qatar with various restaurants and unique hotels, next to the Cultural Village of Katara with its wonderful art galleries, the open-air theater, the waterfront, the distinctive Katara beach, as well as the Pearl Qatar island, with its unique character.

One of the attractions that can also be visited is Al Wakra market, which gives its visitor the opportunity to get acquainted with what the life of the first ancestors was like by wandering between the alleys of this market and its quiet courtyards. It is a fun destination to spend time exploring traditional mud buildings, where there is a small mosque, a stable, and many Qatari shops that provide products of honey, spices, dates, perfumes, and gifts. The visitor concludes with the experience of riding a camel, and tasting the most delicious meals in one of the restaurants overlooking the waterfront.

Visitors to Qatar will be scheduled to visit the Qatar National museum which welcomes all its visitors from different cultures to explore its immersive environment, and learn about Qatar's past, present and future, with the importance of planning a visit to the museum of Islamic art, which houses one of the best collections of Islamic art around the world, the Qatar Olympic and Sports museum as well as the museum of the Arab museum of Modern Art as cultural and creative icons in Qatar. (QNA)

 

 

As seen on GulfTimes  Image Credits GulfTimes