Doha: HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the exhibition “Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight” at the National Museum of Qatar. Taking its name from the local term for a sea turtle, the Lehmesa exhibition celebrates the resilience of the Hawksbill turtle and reflects the nation’s commitment to protecting its biodiversity. The exhibition will be on view from October 27, 2025, to February 7, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar, a milestone that honors five decades of preserving and sharing the nation’s cultural and natural legacy.
According to Qatar News Agency, the exhibition features six immersive sections that trace the Hawksbill’s journey from land to sea, offering visitors a sensory-rich experience inspired by Qatar’s coastlines, coral reefs, and marine habitats. Blending environmental science with creative interpretation, it showcases works by London-based artist Josh Gluckstein and encourages visitors to reflect on their role in sustaining the balance of the natural world.
HE Director of the National Museum of Qatar Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani remarked that the exhibition highlights the vital role of sea turtles in Qatar’s marine ecosystems, focusing on Hawksbill turtles, the only species of turtle that nests on Qatari beaches. The narrative combines environmental, scientific, and cultural facts to highlight the role these creatures play in shaping Qatar’s natural heritage.
His Excellency emphasized that the exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Museum of Qatar in 1975, underscoring that over five decades, the museum has preserved the country’s cultural and natural heritage and shared it with successive generations. He noted that the “Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight” exhibition embodies this approach by celebrating Qatar’s environmental treasures, enhancing public awareness, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility toward the environment.
The exhibition takes visitors on a journey with Hawksbill turtles, exploring their life cycle, natural habitat, and evolution throughout history. Through artwork and hands-on experiences, the exhibition brings participants closer to Qatar’s rich natural heritage and offers a sensory-interactive experience that transports visitors to the world of the sea. This experience prompts visitors to reflect on their responsibility to protect marine environments and support sustainability.
As part of the exhibition’s public programming, the National Museum of Qatar will host a series of events, workshops, and educational activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and Qatar University. These initiatives aim to deepen public understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation, engaging families, students, and communities in hands-on learning experiences that highlight the importance of Qatar’s coastal ecosystems.
In his remarks to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Jassim Abdullah Al Khayyat, Director of the Jinan Research Ship at Qatar University and a member of the scientific committee supervising the exhibition, said that the aim is to document the history of sea turtles from their formation to the present day and to review the environmental changes they have faced and the dangers threatening their survival. He added that the exhibition represents an important awareness and cultural initiative that highlights turtles, species at risk of extinction.
Dr. Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafei, a marine environment specialist and professor at Qatar University, noted that preparations for the exhibition took two years of research and scientific work. He mentioned that Qatar is one of the last natural havens for sea turtles, with its beaches serving as prime nesting sites, and the country has worked to protect these sites and reduce negatively impacting practices.