A season of murals, cultural journeys and community projects brings Qatar and Chile closer through art and exchange

14 August 2025 – Doha, Qatar – The Years of Culture initiative brings an exciting line-up of cultural programmes in Chile this fall, inviting audiences to discover fresh collaborations that bridge art, sport, community service and cultural dialogue between Qatar and Chile. 

His Excellency Battal bin Meajeb Al Dosari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Argentina and Chile, said: “Years of Culture exists to connect people through a focus on development and open dialogue. Our Chile programmes this fall celebrate what is possible when communities come together to share stories, ideas and experiences that enrich us all.” 

International Volunteer Trip: Hands-On Community Impact

From 27 September to 4 October, the annual YoC International Volunteer Trip organised by the Qatar Museums’ Community Development Section - HC will bring Qatar-based staff, artists and volunteers to Chile to work hand-in-hand with local partners. In Chile, volunteers will join the local community in Matanzas through a programme designed in partnership with Trama Association and the Municipality of Navidad. Activities range from mural painting and seaweed gathering to nature conservation, plant renewal, photography and pottery workshops, and collaborative cooking workshops that bring people together through food, stories and traditions.

CultuRide: An Epic Journey Across Borders

One of the season’s most anticipated highlights, CultuRide will see 30 Qatari cyclists set out on a 600-kilometre journey through Chile and Argentina. In Chile, riders will travel through cities and dramatic mountain landscapes, combining exploration, cultural immersion and friendship with local athletes and communities.

Shortcuts to Qatar at LatinArab Festival 

A curated selection of short films by Qatari filmmakers will be showcased during the LatinArab Festival in October (date to be confirmed later). This initiative presents a valuable opportunity for cultural and creative exchange, fostering dialogue between emerging voices from Qatar and Latin America.

JEDARIART: Valdivia Walls Come Alive

Chile will take part in two major JEDARIART activations this fall. In Valdivia, Qatar-based artists Mubarak Al Malik and Aisha Alfadhala will paint large-scale murals, transforming public spaces in collaboration with local partners from 5-11 November. In Qatar, Chilean muralist Daniel Marceli will bring his vivid celebration of Chile’s indigenous cultures to the Qatar Olympic Cycling Track tunnels from 8-21 October.

Safeguarding Valparaíso: A Global Conservation Effort

From 24–28 November, a team from Qatar Museums’ Cultural Heritage Protection Department will join the Ministry of Culture and the Center for World Heritage Sites in Chile in a program that aims to enhance management effectiveness in Valparaíso’s World Heritage site. Thirty participants, including five from Qatar and several international experts, will take part in capacity building workshops on impact assessment, risk mitigation, and emergency preparedness, using best practices, guidelines and tools developed by international governing bodies, to co-develop resilient response plans, revamped operations, and improved regulation for Chile’s world heritage sites drawing on peer examples from Qatar.

The Years of Culture initiative continues to champion meaningful connections between Qatar and its partner nations through carefully curated programmes that celebrate shared heritage, promote new ideas and inspire communities to come together. By opening doors to dialogue, creative expression and hands-on collaboration, Years of Culture strengthens mutual understanding and respect that extends far beyond a single season or country.

For updates, follow Years of Culture on social media or visit the website at yearsofculture.qa.