Montreal: As Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026, Qatar's Years of Culture initiative is bringing a summer-long cultural programme to cities across Canada, featuring exhibitions, fashion, public art, film, literature, and dialogue to cities across Canada.
According to Qatar News Agency, the programme marks the beginning of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture in Canada, showcasing the legacy of global sport through cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and people-to-people connection. It is supported by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Ottawa and partnered with leading Qatari institutions, including Qatar Museums, Doha Debates, M7, and Qatar National Library, as well as Canadian cultural partners like Fashion Art Toronto and MURAL Festival in Montreal. This highlights the growing relationship between Qatar and Canada across the arts, education, sport, and creative industries, reflecting Qatar's vision of culture and sport as interconnected drivers of development and partnership.
"This initiative is rooted in the belief that cultural exchange creates lasting connections between people and communities," said HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada Tarek Ali Faraj Al Ansari. He noted that Canada's diversity and vibrant creative landscape make it a suitable partner for a cultural season that emphasizes the power of art, sport, and storytelling to foster mutual understanding.
A notable moment in the programme is the collaboration with Formula One driver Pierre Gasly at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. As part of the ongoing partnership with the BWT Alpine F1 Team, Gasly will wear helmet designs by artists from the initiative. The first design, by Qatari illustrator Ghada Al Suwaidi, will debut at the Montreal Grand Prix from 22-24 May, showcasing Qatari creativity on a global stage.
Fashion is a significant element of the programme, with Doha's M7 leading a delegation of designers to Fashion Art Toronto. Brands like Authentic Roz, LIN, and Denim will present collections during the festival's opening runway on 29 May, connecting designers with Canadian industry leaders.
In Montreal, public art will emerge through a collaboration between Qatar Museums' JEDARIART and MURAL Festival from 4-14 June. Qatari artist Fatima Al-Sharshani will contribute to the festival, integrating Arabic visual language into one of Canada's largest public art events.
Toronto will host a major Doha Debates Town Hall at Queen's Quay Terminal on 8 July, focusing on the future of football fandom. The event will engage students, academics, and media voices in discussions on identity, loyalty, and commercialisation in modern football.
Later, Qatar National Library's Qatar Reads initiative will introduce a literary exchange with Canadian families and schools. The project will distribute Canadian culture-inspired reading packages to families in Qatar, while Canadian students will receive editions of Kalila wa Dimna, accompanied by storytelling workshops and an exhibition by Qatari artist Wadha Al Athba.
The Canadian cultural season is part of the broader Years of Culture initiative, established in 2012 to strengthen international partnerships through cultural collaboration, dialogue, and exchange across various fields.