Years of Culture
false
2025/12/31
Audiences in Doha, Santiago, Valparaíso, and Buenos Aires were invited to explore shared heritage, artistic expression, and cultural dialogue in a myriad of ways. Here we look back at some of the highlights that marked the final months of this extraordinary edition.
The November programme began with a special Qatar Reads Cultural Event at the National Museum of Qatar, where 100 children engaged in hands-on activities inspired by Argentinian and Chilean heritage. The event included a lively Chilean Cueca performance and was attended by the Argentinian ambassador.
From 12th to 15th November, the From the Homeland Exhibition – Sixth Edition of the Productive Family Awardtook place at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre. Families from Qatar presented their craft and creative enterprises alongside booths from Argentina, Chile, and other Years of Culture legacy partners. Visitors experienced a blend of traditions, from Arabic coffee and yerba mate to the collaborative Al Sadu × Witral weaving exchange.
The Qatar National Library (QNL) became a vibrant hub for learning and creativity throughout November. Its Take and Make Workshops guided participants in creating miniature guitars inspired by Argentinian musical heritage and crafts exploring the symbolic patterns of Mapuche Guemil.
Storytelling sessions, including Argentina Storytime: Manuelita, Where Are You Going? also engaged children aged 5 to 7 in imaginative play.
QNL also hosted a series of events celebrating the cuisine of Argentina and Chile, including a Latin Food Truck Pop-Upserving authentic flavours from Latin America in collaboration with La Mesa.
Culinary workshops with acclaimed chefs Martín Repetto from Argentina and Francisco Araya from Chile brought more iconic Latin American dishes to Doha, delighting participants with immersive gastronomic experiences.
Science and knowledge-sharing also featured prominently during the season. The Antarctica: Continent for Peace and Science exhibition at QNL took visitors on a powerful journey through a beautifully curated selection of photographs and exhibits.
A series of lectures at the National Museum of Qatar by Dr. Ana Valenzuela Toro on marine fossils in Atacama and Dr. Dolores Elkin on underwater archaeology and Argentine shipwrecks highlighted innovative research and heritage preservation initiatives.
November was also marked by a series of cinematic events organised in partnership with the Doha Film Institute (DFI). Cinema Under the Stars: Beneath the Latin Moon brought audiences together for film screenings under the night sky at MIA Park and West Bay Beach.
The Ajyal Film Festival 2025 Youth Jury Exchange held at Katara Cultural Village also highlighted emerging filmmakers and facilitated cultural dialogue between young jurors in Doha and Latin America.
The Doha Film Festival (DFF) showcased seven curated short films in Made in Argentina and Chile and included the panel discussion In Every Frame, A Rhythm, exploring the role of music in cinematic storytelling.
DFF also held a special performance of cinematic scores by iconic Argentinian composer Gustavo Santaolalla, brought to life by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. The festival culminated in headline performances by Palestinian-Chilean artist Elyanna and Qatari singer Dana Al Meer at Lusail City Stage.
Design and innovation were celebrated at Maker Space at M7, where Latin American creators showcased their work through a Retail Pop-Up event.
Chilean thought leaders Ana Maria Raad and Javier González also shared insights at Spotlight on Chilean Innovatorsduring WISE, emphasising the impact of education, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Throughout November, JEDARIART street art exchanges enlivened urban spaces in Doha, Valdivia and Buenos Aires, highlighting the programme’s commitment to international collaboration.
From 3rd to 9th December, the public art initiative World Wide Walls Doha transformed Al Aziziyah with murals by Chilean and Argentinian artists, including Posh del Futuro and Animalitoland, alongside international collaborators from Japan, the USA, France, and beyond.
Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile’s monumental sculpture Autorretrato was unveiled at Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art on 18th December, exploring identity, belonging, and diaspora.
The season concluded with Qatar’s first polo exhibition, Polo Al Marsa, which brought together international teams from Qatar, Chile, and Argentina. The two-day event at Doha’s Old Port featured a performance of classical Spanish dressage and underlined our shared equestrian traditions across continents.
The 2025 Year of Culture extended far beyond Qatar’s borders. In Chile, a Children’s Cultural Activity organised by Qatar National Library at the Centro Cultural La Moneda in Santiago engaged young audiences.
Valdivia also came alive with JEDARIART murals, where Qatari artists Mubarak Al Malik and Aisha Alfadhala transformed local walls as part of the popular street art exchange.
Meanwhile, Safeguarding Valparaíso: A Global Conservation Effort saw a team from Qatar Museums’ Cultural Heritage Protection Department collaborate with Chilean authorities to strengthen heritage management at this iconic World Heritage site.
In Argentina, JEDARIART – Argentine Walls, Qatari Stories saw Qatari artists Abdulla Alemadi and Abdulla Al Sallat create vibrant murals in Buenos Aires, enriching the urban landscape and fostering international collaboration.
Throughout November and December, the Qatar, Argentina, and Chile 2025 Year of Culture demonstrated the power of art, music, cinema, gastronomy, sport, and cultural dialogue to inspire understanding and spark curiosity.
Next year, the Qatar, Canada, and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture promises another journey into the diverse and dynamic cultural expressions that continue to shape our world.
Follow @YearsofCulture on Instagram to explore upcoming events and witness how culture unites communities across continents.
Check out the Years of Culture programme page for the full schedule of activities.
