Years of Culture
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2026/03/04
The capital’s leading cultural institutions, including the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, featured special light projections in honour of Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
The distinctive silhouettes of the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar were outlined in red and gold against the night sky.
Designed by I. M. Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art is inspired by classical Islamic geometry and houses a world-leading collection spanning more than 1400 years.
Jean Nouvel’s National Museum of Qatar, shaped like the elaborate forms of the desert rose, presents the nation’s story through a series of immersive galleries.
The illuminations served as a visual celebration of cultural appreciation and mutual understanding.
2026 marks the tenth anniversary of the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture. That milestone edition brought together creatives, scholars and entrepreneurs from both countries in a year-long events programme of cultural exchange.
Highlights included the landmark exhibition Treasures of China at MIA, which introduced audiences in Doha to rare antiques from 5000 years of Chinese history. Other major museum collaborations in 2016 included What About the Art: Contemporary Art from China at QM Gallery Al Riwaq, and Silks From The Silk Road: Chinese Art of Silk at QM Gallery Katara.
A vibrant Chinese Festival at Katara Cultural Village featured traditional music, dance and cuisine. Film screenings, design forums and educational initiatives further deepened public understanding, creating opportunities for dialogue across generations and disciplines.
The partnerships established in 2016 continue to inform cultural cooperation today, underscoring the lasting impact of sustained exchange.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, associated with energy, determination and forward movement.
The projections on Doha’s landmarks celebrate this festive occasion, reflecting these shared values and reaffirming the enduring cultural ties between Qatar and China.
The Years of Culture team wishes you a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
Find out about upcoming events in Qatar, as part of the current Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture.
