Qatar Museums (QM) has announced that the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) will host the exhibition “Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage” this November. This event is part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture and aims to immerse visitors in the rich legacies of Morocco, highlighting the elements that have shaped the nation’s unique identity.
The exhibition will feature over 200 objects, including artefacts, manuscripts, instruments, jewellery pieces, and photographs, providing a multifaceted narrative of Moroccan history, society, and artistic expressions. These items illustrate how Morocco’s heritage continues to influence its contemporary culture.
Notably, the exhibition will include loans from Moroccan institutions such as the National Foundation of Museums and the National Library of Rabat, which have never before been displayed in Qatar. Additionally, previously unseen works from the collections of QM, MIA, and the upcoming Lusail Museum will be showcased.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums and Years of Culture, expressed her excitement about the exhibition: “We are extraordinarily fortunate to partner with institutions across Morocco for our Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, which will greatly expand the ability of Qataris and those living in Qatar to gain insight into the grand Islamic traditions of our neighbour in North Africa.”
MIA director Shaika Nasser al-Nassr added, “When designing the exhibition, we sought to illuminate the intricate layers of Morocco’s cultural identity, offering visitors a chance to explore its rich heritage. This exhibition serves as a bridge connecting past and present, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of Moroccan culture and its enduring global legacy.”
Organised into five thematic sections, “Splendours of the Atlas” will explore Morocco’s diverse and interconnected cultures and their lasting influence on contemporary life:
Faces of Morocco: Landscapes and Society – An introductory gallery featuring photographs of Morocco’s diverse landscapes and contemporary inhabitants, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of Arab and Amazigh communities.
The Soul of Morocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars – This section delves into Moroccan dynastic history and its contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, with a focus on institutions of higher learning.
Threads of Tradition: Morocco’s Artisanal Mastery – The largest section, showcasing Morocco’s artisanal crafts, including leather, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and woodwork, highlighting the country’s rich Islamic, Amazigh, and Andalusian heritage.
Traditional Sounds of Morocco – Displaying musical instruments from the Dar JamaI Museum in Meknes, this section explores the distinct musical traditions of different regions, accompanied by videos to enhance the experience.
Contemporary Moroccan Craftsmanship – Featuring seven commissioned works by Moroccan artist Noureddine Amir, this section reimagines traditional crafts into bold, abstract works, including a light installation that evokes the textures and techniques of traditional crafts.
The Years of Culture initiative aims to foster long-lasting cultural partnerships between Qatar and other nations, with this exhibition being a testament to the deepening ties between Qatar and Morocco.
