Qatar - Indonesia 2023

A month of workshops in Qatar showcased the rich creative traditions of Indonesian culture. Expert artisans, makers and performers shared their skills with participants, who learned the art of Indonesian Batik, Wayang Suket Puppet-Making, Traditional Indonesian Ceramics and Tari Melak Dance.

The 2023 Year of Culture also brought Indonesian cuisine to Doha, with specially created menus for IFTAR Nights during the holy month of Ramadan. Esteemed Qatari chefs undertook a Spice Journey from Qatar to Indonesia, culminating in live cooking demonstrations at the Ubud Food Festival.

Qatar-Indonesia 2023 brought fashion and design to the fore with The Abaya Project and CULTUKAR Design Residencies in Sumba and Tasakmalaya. The Doha Film Institute hosted curated screenings of Indonesian films highlighting the country’s diverse cinematic landscape. Qatari and Indonesian cycling enthusiasts also took part in CultuRide 2023, a tour cycling race in Central Java.

Qatar-Indonesia 2023 also saw the return of the Dialogue of Paper initiative, in which Qatari and Indonesian artists collaborated to create meaningful artworks for the annual Dialogue of Paper exhibition. Years of Culture’s long standing create exchange programme, The Photography Journey saw photographers from both countries embark on a journey to capture the fading traditions of Qatar and Indonesia, followed by an exhibition of their work in Jakarta.

Other highlights from the programme included "Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa," at the National Museum of Qatar. The ambitious exhibition was curated alongside the National Museum of Indonesia and highlighted our shared appreciation for coffee and warm hospitality.

With over 50 programmes across Qatar and Indonesia, the 2023 Year of Culture was a great success. Qatar - Indonesia 2023 allowed for the formation of enduring friendships, creative collaborations, and cooperative ties as we look ahead to a truly bright future.