Highlights include fine art and music events, historical exhibitions, and photography and film programs with activations in Qatar and Morocco

Today, Years of Culture, Qatar’s national initiative that spearheads cultural exchange and encourages dialogue rooted in shared experiences, announced its fall Qatar-Morocco 2024 program. Among the highlights are Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage, an exhibition exploring Morocco’s multifaceted history and enduring influence; Fashion Trust Arabia’s debut in Marrakesh; and Crafting Design Futures, an exhibition that culminates the Design Doha Exchange 2024 Qatar | Morocco: Crafting Design Futures residency.

This year’s robust program is developed in collaboration with leading organizations in Qatar with counterparts in Morocco and with assistance from Qatar’s Embassy in Morocco, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Qatar. Through films, concerts, literary festivals, art exhibitions, and performances, the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture highlights shared traditions and celebrates unique aspects of each culture to promote respect and deepen understanding.

In Qatar, the lineup of events includes:

Qatar National Library Lecture and Workshop
Sep 30, 2024
Qatar National Library

A public lecture and workshop will introduce participants to the history, anatomy, and use of the astrolabe—the most important popular scientific tool for nearly a millennium. The event will highlight famous Moroccan astrolabe makers like Abu Bakr ibn Yusuf and Ibn Battuta and showcase examples of their surviving instruments.

Qatar National Library Lecture
Oct 7, 2024
Qatar National Library

A public lecture by Senior Archives Specialist Dr. Moez Dridi will offer a glimpse into the history of Morocco through some of the Heritage Library’s archival and documentary holdings.

Mosaics of Morocco film screenings
Oct 10-12, 2024
Museum of Islamic Art

Doha Film Institute will present a captivating series of contemporary Moroccan films, showcasing four feature films from renowned and emerging Moroccan directors. Tickets are free and pre-registration is required.

• HOUSE IN THE FIELDS (a 2017 documentary directed by Tala Hadid.) In a village in the High Atlas Mountains, at the crossroad between tradition and change, two sisters experience the last seasons of childhood.
• MICA (a 2020 feature directed by Ismaël Ferroukhi.) Mica, a boy from the slums, is hired as the handyman at a swanky tennis club in Casablanca. There he is noticed by Sophia, a former tennis champion, who takes him under her wing.
• FRAGMENTS FROM HEAVEN (a 2022 documentary directed by Adnane Baraka.) The film follows Mohamed, a nomad, and Abderrahmane, a renowned Moroccan scientist.
• INDIVISION (a 2023 feature directed by Leila Kilani.) While the matriarch of the Bechtani clan wants to clear out the family land and sell it, her son and granddaughter live within nature in a fully mystical way, paying heed to coincidences and signs that announce a coming social revolution.

Katara Arabic Novel Festival
Oct 13-20, 2024
Katara Cultural Village, Building 16

Moroccan novelist, Tuhami Al-Wazzani, has been selected as the personality of the year for this edition of the Katara Arabic Novel Festival, which celebrates pioneers of the Arabic novel. The festival will also feature a book fair and family workshops.

Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage
Nov 2, 2024 - Mar 8, 2025
Museum of Islamic Art, Special Exhibitions Gallery

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) will present Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage, a major exhibition taking visitors on a journey through the legacies of Morocco. The exhibition presents more than 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 works by Moroccan artist Noureddine Amir. 

Splendours of the Atlas includes loans from Moroccan institutions such as the National Foundation of Museums and the National Library of Rabat that have never been exhibited in Qatar. Works from the collections of Qatar Museums, MIA, and the future Lusail Museum, which have never been exhibited before, will also be on display. Splendours of the Atlas is curated by Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs.

Ektashif: Morocco
Nov 2, 2024 – 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 will be exhibited in Ektashif: Morocco.

From Material to Market: The Art of Bookmaking in Morocco heritage exhibition
Nov 26, 2024 – Apr 20, 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.

Qatar National Library Lecture on the Qarawiyyin Library
Nov 13, 2024
Qatar National Library

A public lecture will explore the Qarawiyyin Library, the oldest working library in the world, through the heritage library's archives and external sources.

Ajyal Film Festival
Nov 16-23, 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).

Katara Children's Festival
Nov 23 – 25, 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.

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

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 Moroccan designers.

Crafting Design Futures
Nov 30, 2024 - Jan 7, 2025
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
Dec 4, 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.

In Morocco, the lineup of events include:

Ajyal Film Club
Sept 20-22, 2024
Tangier, Morocco

Doha Film Institute and Al Nuwah Foundation will present the Ajyal Film Club (AFC) in Tangier as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. In partnership with Tanjaflam, which operates Cinema Alcazar, this youth-centered initiative seeks to inspire and engage the next generation of filmmakers.

Ajyal Film Club offers young participants exclusive access to film screenings, masterclasses, discussions, and educational activities, all designed to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art of filmmaking.

Building on the success in Qatar, Ajyal Film Club is launching its Tangier edition this September. Targeting aspiring filmmakers aged 13-17 in Tangier, the program will feature local filmmakers, including Jillali Ferhati and Khaoula Assebab Benomran.

Highlights include a Film Review & Critique Workshop, a masterclass by Khaoula Assebab Benomar, and another masterclass with Jillali Ferhati, moderated by Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute and Director of Ajyal Film Festival.

Three films will be screened as part of the program, including SALEEM (2023) by Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, WE HAVE A DREAM (2023) by Pascale Plisson, and SCRAPPER (2023) by Charlotte Regan.

Marrakesh Short Film Festival
Sept 27 – Oct 2, 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

The Marrakesh Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF) offers a stage for both emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work and gain recognition. Featuring a diverse array of films, including narrative, documentary, and experimental genres, the festival promotes cultural exchange, supports the film industry, and celebrates filmmaking through screenings, workshops, and networking. As part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, Doha Film Institute will present a selection of “Made in Qatar” Short Films, which will be screened throughout the festival.

El Jadida Horse Fair (The Salon du Cheval d'El Jadida)
Oct 1 - 6, 2024
Morocco

El Jadida will host the 15th edition of Salon du Cheval under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This year’s edition will highlight advancements in modernizing and sustaining the Moroccan equine sector. 

The event will feature a diverse program for both the public and professionals, including a range of equestrian competitions that showcase the talents of Moroccan and international riders and horses. Years of Culture will partner with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club to celebrate Qatar and Morocco’s shared passion for horses within the Fair’s international village activations.

Photography Journey in collaboration with Generation Amazing Foundation
Oct 7 – 17, 2024
Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, Morocco

The Photography Journey will see two photographers from Qatar travel across Morocco to capture its lesser-known areas amid discussions on urbanization and contemporary futures.

One of the participants is 19-year-old Generation Amazing Foundation’s Youth Advocate Jana Islam Almallah, a communication student at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. Jana is a professional football player, an advocate for providing more opportunities for girls and women in the field of sport, and a passionate photographer. The second participant is Aisha Samir Alabdulla, who is best known for her photographic and documentary work capturing Qatar’s civil servants. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Strategic Communication from Qatar University and is working towards an M.A. in Defense Diplomacy program at Joaan bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies. The two participants will explore diverse cultural regions, which will enable them to immerse themselves in authentic Moroccan culture.

Khalifa Al Obaidly, a Qatari photographer known for his focus on Qatari tradition and culture, will return as the program’s mentor. He also serves as the Director of Artists in Residence and the Tasweer Photo Festival. As the Years of Culture’s longest-running exchange program, the Photography Journey will culminate with an exhibition of the captured images in Doha at the end of the year.

Family Reading Program Activation in Morocco
Oct 13-19, 2024
Rabat, Morocco

Qatar Reads will donate 1,000 specially curated reading packages to several key community libraries in Rabat, Morocco through the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat. The Family Reading Program, part of Qatar National Library’s Qatar Reads effort, is aimed at children aged 3 to 13 and encourages a love for books and home library development through a monthly subscription service. 

Each package includes two books, comics, and activity sheets, offering a diverse range of topics to enhance reading skills. As part of the Family Reading Program’s reciprocal effort, 1,000 children in Doha will also receive packages featuring books about Morocco.

Qatar-Morocco International Volunteer Trip
Oct 18-26, 2024
Rabat, Morocco

Qatar Museum’s (QM) Community Service Section is organizing an International Volunteer Trip to Rabat as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. Participants, including QM staff, artists, and other volunteers, will meet with counterparts in Morocco to exchange cultural experiences and traditions.

Service-Learning Volunteer Trip
Oct 19-26, 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

A major focus of the trip is to give youth the opportunity to visit youth beneficiary enterprises from Silatech projects in Morocco, gain entrepreneurial skills from reputable institutions, and exchange knowledge and expertise with Silatech global beneficiary entrepreneurs. The trip will highlight sustainable and creative industries, helping students and beneficiaries gain an in-depth understanding of each other’s identities and encouraging youth to contribute to their countries’ economic growth. Volunteers will also engage in workshops and discussions that foster innovation and practical problem-solving, further enriching their international service-learning experience.

Jedariart
Oct 21-27, 2024
Rabat, Morocco

Jedariart, initiated by the Public Art department of Qatar Museums, aims to showcase works by Qatari and Qatari-based artists in public spaces across Qatar. For the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, artists from both countries will travel to each other’s nations to create mobile art installations. In October, three Qatari artists will visit Rabat to partner with three Moroccan artists to create joint installations in Hassan II Park in Rabat.

Fashion Trust Arabia
Oct 22 - 24, 2024
Marrakesh, Morocco

The sixth edition of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. Established in 2018, FTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging designers from the Middle East and North Africa through financial aid, guidance, and mentorship. The inaugural event, attended by FTA’s Honorary Chair HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Co-chairs HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Tania Fares, took place in Doha, Qatar. Each year, FTA honors six designers across various categories, and this year introduces a new category: the Fashion Tech Award 2024.

Qatar Africa Business Forum
Nov 16 - 17, 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.

Knowledge Transfer Event
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.

‘She Plays’ Football Tournament
Nov 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.