Doha: The world celebrates International Museum Day on May 18 each year, an event that was officially launched in 1977 by a resolution of the General Assembly of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) during its meeting in the Russian capital, Moscow. The day aims to raise global awareness about the role of museums, culture, and heritage in societies and to unify the creative efforts of museum institutions around the world.
According to Qatar News Agency, this day is an annual occasion to highlight the importance of museums as active cultural platforms that contribute to supporting sustainable development and enhancing quality of life, in addition to their pivotal role in cultural exchange, and in promoting the values of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among peoples.
Regarding this year's celebration, which carries the theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World," Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums (QM) and President of the Arab Regional Alliance of the International Council of Museums of Arab countries (ICOM Arab) Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi revealed in exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar Museums has prepared an extensive program of educational activities, interactive experiences, and cultural events across its network of institutions. This year's celebration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar, marking a significant milestone that reflects on the country's exceptional cultural journey.
He explained that these activities are being organized as part of the "Nation of Evolution" campaign, which celebrates Qatar's cultural journey over the past fifty years since the establishment of the National Museum of Qatar and highlights the major milestones that have shaped the nation's cultural identity.
He said that under the umbrella of the Qatar Creates initiative, the campaign honors the cultural past while looking toward the future, making International Museum Day 2026 a moment to celebrate what has been achieved and anticipate what lies ahead. He also invited the public to follow Qatar Museums' platforms for the latest updates and events related to the occasion.
On the role of museums in Qatar in presenting an image of the country's openness to its geographical and human surroundings, the CEO of Qatar Museums said that museums in Qatar go beyond the traditional role of preserving and displaying collections, evolving instead into dynamic cultural and intellectual platforms that reflect the nature of Qatari society as one that is open and actively engaged with its regional and international environment. He explained that the narrative presented by Qatar Museums connects the local with the global, showcasing the Qatari experience within a broader context of civilizational and human interactions that shaped the region's history and contributed to its cultural development throughout the ages.
As an example, he pointed to the story presented by the National Museum of Qatar, which traces the emergence and evolution of Qatari society through the relationship between people and the desert and marine environments, along with the associated lifestyles, trade patterns, and cultural exchanges that reflected a spirit of openness and interaction with other peoples.
In contrast, the Museum of Islamic Art highlights the vast civilizational legacy of the Islamic world, positioning Qatar within a cultural network that extends from Andalusia to Asia and reflecting the contribution of Islamic civilization to the development of knowledge, arts, and the humanities.
He added that this role extends beyond museums within the country to Qatar Museums' international cultural presence through its overseas participation, exhibitions, and global partnerships that strengthen Qatar's position on the world cultural map. He cited Qatar's participation in the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prominent art and architecture events, as a clear example of this approach. Such participation helps present the Qatari and Arab cultural narrative to a global audience while creating spaces for dialogue on issues related to art, identity, sustainability, and cultural exchange.
He continued by saying that through its international exhibitions, cultural programs, and initiatives such as the "Years of Culture," Qatar Museums works to build bridges between peoples and foster mutual understanding through culture and the arts. From this perspective, museums have become an essential instrument of cultural diplomacy, helping to reinforce Qatar's image as a country that invests in culture as a form of soft power and a driver of dialogue and human connection, while also supporting the creative economy and strengthening Doha's status as a global center for arts and culture.