Highlights include fashion and art exhibitions at Qatar’s cultural institutions; a cycling tour dedicated to cultural exchange and exploration; and hands-on, creative workshops for all ages

In Qatar, the lineup of events includes:

Jedariart
Through 27 Nov. 2024
Qatar Olympic Cycling Track

The mural program Jedariart, initiated by the Public Art department at Qatar Museums to showcase works by Qatari and Qatari-based artists in public spaces across the country, has partnered with locally-based Moroccan artist Hassan Bahou to activate the Qatar Olympic Cycling Track by creating a mural inside the track’s first tunnel.

Benchellal: Monumental “sculpting past tomorrow"
Through 18 Jan. 2025
National Museum of Qatar (Gallery 13)

On view at the National Museum of Qatar is Benchellal: Monumental, an exhibition featuring garments created by multi-award-winning Moroccan-Dutch fashion designer Mohamed Benchellal. The exhibition explores the fusion of futuristic Middle Eastern style with traditional European couture and addresses the importance of sustainability and slow fashion. Designs for the exhibition were created during Benchellal’s residency at Liwan Design Studios and Labs in Qatar.

Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage
Through 8 March 2025
Museum of Islamic Art

Currently on view at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage, a major exhibition that takes visitors on a journey through Morocco’s legacy. The exhibition presents approximately 200 objects including artifacts, manuscripts, instruments, jewelry pieces, and photographs to tell a multifaceted story of Moroccan history, society, artistic expressions, and how they continue to animate the nation’s cultures today. Organized thematically into five sections, Splendours of the Atlas highlights Morocco’s diverse and interconnected cultures and their lasting influence on contemporary life. The final section of the exhibition is an ode to contemporary Moroccan craftsmanship featuring seven commissioned new works by Moroccan artist Noureddine Amir.

Ektashif: Morocco
Through 26 Feb. 2025
Museum of Islamic Art, 4th floor (east side)

The annual program Ektashif supports Qatari artists and provides them with new skills in traditional and Islamic arts. This year, seven Qatari artists had the opportunity to explore significant Islamic history and traditional Islamic arts on a special educational trip to Morocco as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. During the trip, artists visited the city of Marrakesh and its historical architectural sites and participated in a variety of art workshops to learn traditional arts at the hands of expert artists and craftsmen. The resulting artworks are exhibited in Ektashif: Morocco.

Dar Al Maghreb Pavilion
Through 30 Nov. 2024
MIA Park

The Dar Al Maghreb Pavilion, a temporary cultural space in MIA Park, celebrates the rich heritage and creativity of Morocco. The 1,300-square-meter Pavilion is inspired by Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco that embodies the essence of traditional earthen construction techniques. Free to the public, the Dar Al Maghreb Pavilion allows audiences to learn about Moroccan culture and heritage through informative displays and onsite cultural activations.

A new group of traditional Moroccan craftspeople demonstrating their talents and expertise has set up at Dar Al Maghreb from November 3 to 30, 2024. The artisans will demonstrate the traditional Moroccan crafts of embroidery, leather painting, and the creation of the Bzioui woven fabric.

Hospitality Qatar 2024
12-14 Nov. 2024
Doha Exhibition & Convention Center

Morocco will be celebrated as the Guest Country of Honor at Qatar’s premier trade event for the hospitality, food and beverage, and tourism sectors. This platform connects suppliers with key decision-makers from top hotels, restaurants, and food and beverage outlets across Qatar. Moroccan elements will include cooking shows featuring renowned chefs and a panel discussion.

Ajyal Film Festival
16-23 Nov. 2024
Katara

A flagship event of the Doha Film Institute, the Ajyal Film Festival brings the entire community together through screenings and events that inspire creative interaction and stimulate cinematic dialogue. The festival showcases a diverse selection of compelling films from Qatar, the Middle East, and beyond, including feature films, documentaries, and short films. Ajyal also offers a range of engaging activities, workshops, and panel discussions for youth between the ages 8-25 designed to inspire creativity and ignite meaningful conversations about the power of cinema as a tool for social change and cultural exchange.

To commemorate the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, Ajyal will feature a series of short Moroccan films as part of this year’s Made in Morocco special screenings program co-curated by the Marrakesh Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF).

Let’s Talk Morocco!
18 Nov. 2024 (two sessions)
Qatar National Library Auditorium

Join a reading circle held at Qatar National Library to discuss and learn about various aspects of Morocco, including its history, art, food, culture, and more.

Archeology Lecture
19 Nov. 2024
Museum of Islamic Art

Qatar Museums has organized a joint lecture series by experts from Qatar and Morocco on archeology. Azzedine Kara, Director of the National Center for Studies and Research on Underwater Heritage in Rabat and the Sidi Mohammed Ibnou Abdillah University in Fez will present “Underwater archeology between passion for research and responsibility for safeguarding: insight into the Moroccan experience.”

Moroccan Colors Community Programs
Workshop days:
23 Nov. 2024 – Colorful Creation
25, 28 Nov. 2024 – Blue City with Clay  
Mathaf: Museum of Arab Modern Art

Mathaf: Museum of Modern Arab Art will present a series of family activities designed to make art accessible and enjoyable for all ages. The aim is to highlight Mathaf collections from Moroccan artists and celebrate the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture with the community.

• Colorful Creation in collaboration with Sidra Academy (23 Nov.)
  This workshop for Sidra students and parents will blend art education with interactive activities designed to stimulate creativity and appreciation for modern art. Participants will explore themes and techniques inspired by the Moroccan artist Ahmed Louardiri’s works, focusing on elements such as form, color, and cultural symbolism.
• Blue City With Clay workshops (25 Nov. and 28 Nov.)
  This hands-on workshop invites participants to explore the vibrant blue colors of Chefchaouen. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own unique pieces, guided by expert artisans.

Katara Children's Festival
23 – 25 Nov. 2024
Katara Cultural Village

Katara Children's Festival will offer activities and entertainment across the entire Katara outdoor area. In celebration of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, the Festival will feature Moroccan music and cultural elements.

Qatar Travel Mart
25-27 Nov. 2024
Doha Exhibition and Convention Center

The Qatar Travel Mart is a key event that showcases travel and tourism innovations. It unites industry leaders and professionals to explore Qatar's unique travel offerings, including luxury accommodations and cultural experiences, through presentations, networking, and exhibits. Morocco will be celebrated as the guest country.

From Material to Market: The Art of Bookmaking in Morocco heritage exhibition
26 Nov. 2024 – 26 Apr. 2025
Qatar National Library

The Qatar National Library’s From Material to Market: The Art of Bookmaking in Morocco exhibition commemorates the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture by exploring the craft of book arts in Morocco, from the use of raw materials (leather, parchment, paper, ink) to the binding process and the unique characteristics of Moroccan manuscripts. The exhibition will also present lithographs in the context of the Moroccan souq as a place of exchange.

Moroccan Calligraphy Workshop
26 Nov. 2024
Qatar National Library Auditorium

This event will introduce participants to the history of Moroccan calligraphy, and offer a hands-on workshop where attendees can learn and practice this art.

Moroccan Tea: History and Culture lecture
27 Nov. 2024
Qatar National Library Auditorium

Visit the Qatar National Library for an enchanting lecture steeped in Moroccan tradition. The lecture will explore the history and cultural significance of Moroccan tea, delving into the traditions, rituals and social aspects associated with this iconic beverage, and providing insights into its origins and how it has become an integral part of Moroccan society.

M7 Pop-up: Not your average label
26-30 Nov. 2024
M7

M7 is organizing its second curated retail experience—the Not Your Average Label pop-up—a key initiative that furthers M7's mission to highlight the diverse talents in Qatar and the MENA region and provide platforms for them to develop successful businesses.

As part of Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, the pop-up will feature three Moroccan designers:

• Maison Sara Chraïbi 
• ZYNE 
• JABAD'OR

Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts
28 Nov. – 2 Dec. 2024
Oxygen Park, Education City

Al Ghorrah is an annual event that promotes and cultivates cultural interconnectivity through literature and arts. The "Moroccan-Majlis Fusion" will integrate Qatar's Sadu weaving style, adding intricate geometric patterns to the traditional Moroccan seating and Qatari Majlis design. This unique space will symbolize a blend of Qatari and Moroccan craftsmanship and cultural aesthetics.

A joint Qatari Moroccan symphony that blends both musical styles, created for the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, will also be performed at Al Ghorrah.

Crafting Design Futures
30 Nov. 2024 – 30 Dec. 2024
Museum of Islamic Art, Gallery 4

Crafting Design Futures will present new works by designers from Qatar and Morocco created during Design Doha Exchange 2024 Qatar | Morocco: Crafting Design Futures, a year-long exchange of knowledge, craft, and design practices under the auspices of Design Doha, a biennial event dedicated to creative innovation from the MENA region. Artworks created during the exchange will be on display at the Museum of Islamic Art’s Gallery 4 and a public art installation by Amine Al Gotibi will be on view in MIA’s courtyard. The exhibition is curated by Gwen Farrelly.

Based in Qatar, designers Nada Elkharashi, Reema Abu Hassan, Majdulin Nassrallah, and Abdulrahman Al Muftah interpreted the traditional Moroccan craft-making skills learned during the exchange program to design multifunctional installations, create modern functional products and artistic displays, and draw attention to urgent cultural narratives. In Morocco, Amine Asselman, Bouchra Boudoua, Amine El Gotaibi, Hamza Kadiri, and Sara Ouhaddou focused on textiles, earthworks, wood craftsmanship, ceramic and glass installations, and pottery. Bespoke merchandise products created by Qatar-based designers, inspired by their exchange in Morocco, will also be sold exclusively at MIA’s shop.

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra Concert
4 Dec. 2024
Qatar National Library

The Qatar National Library will host the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra for a special concert to celebrate the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. This event will highlight the rich musical traditions of both Qatar and Morocco, promoting cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between the two countries.

Moroccan Colors
12 Dec. 2024
Mathaf: Museum of Arab Modern Art

"Moroccan Colors" is a vibrant initiative designed to promote cultural exchange and community engagement. This one-day event features  a Moroccan music performance, an authentic bazaar showcasing traditional Moroccan crafts, foods, and artisanal products, and an interactive textile weaving workshop where visitors can experience Morocco’s rich weaving traditions first hand.

This event will include:

• Music show: The Moroccan music performance is an immersive experience that brings the rhythms and melodies of Morocco to life at Mathaf featuring a talented Moroccan band.
• Moroccan Bazaar: This event will feature an authentic bazaar experience where visitors can explore an array of handcrafted goods, colorful textiles, pottery, and unique Moroccan artisanal products.
• Weaving workshop in collaboration with Heenat Salma: This hands-on workshop celebrates Morocco’s rich textile heritage and allows attendees learn traditional Moroccan weaving.

In Morocco, the lineup of events include:

Knowledge Transfer
15 Nov. 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

As Morocco gears up to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030™, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, in collaboration with the Qatar Football Association, will host a Knowledge Transfer event with Moroccan counterparts to share key insights and lessons learned from organizing the Arab world's first FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.

Qatar Africa Business Forum
16 – 17 Nov. 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

Inaugurated in 2022 by Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatar Africa Business Forum (QABF) speaks to Africa's crucial role as a hub of human capital. The forum's mission is to build sustainable and equitable partnerships between Qatar and Africa, aiming to harness the continent’s rich talent and resources for development over the next decade. As part of Qatar-Morocco 2024, the QABF will be held in Marrakesh this year, continuing its commitment to enhancing economic ties and collaboration between the two regions.

CultuRide
16 – 23 Nov. 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

Years of Culture has teamed up with Qatari entrepreneur and athlete Ali bin Towar Al Kuwari to launch CultuRide: Morocco, a cycling tour dedicated to cultural exchange and exploration. Taking place from 15–23 November, the tour will bring together professional athletes and cycling enthusiasts on a journey across Morocco to explore historical sites and the country’s dazzling heritage.

Beginning in Casablanca, the tour will feature 28 Qatari riders covering 600 kilometers, with stops in iconic cities such as Marrakesh and Tangier, as well as traditional Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains.

‘She Plays’ Football Tournament
12 Dec. 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

Generation Amazing Foundation in partnership with LEAD Morocco, a non-profit organization that uses sport as a positive incentive to improve academic performance, will host a football tournament that is aimed towards social development and female empowerment.