Latin America lands at the National Museum of Qatar

Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.

After a tense night that showed how close global events can hit home, Doha wakes with resilience and a quiet drive to keep creating and connecting. Highlights this week include an exhibition linking Latin American art with Qatari heritage, seasonal markets featuring mango-inspired fare and workshops where young artists explore the geometry of Kufic calligraphy.

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P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: LATINOAMERICANO

El circo más lindo del mundo (The Most Beautiful Circus in the World), by Rafael Barradas, 1918. Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. (Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of Qatar)

The National Museum of Qatar is hosting LATINOAMERICANO, the first major exhibition of Latin American art held in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Presented in partnership with the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (Malba), the exhibition features more than 170 works covering painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, installations and popular culture. These pieces, drawn from Malba and the private collection of its founder, Eduardo F. Costantini, chart the evolution of Latin America’s rich and diverse artistic expressions from the early 20th century to the present.

Rather than following a chronological format, the exhibition unfolds through six thematic sections, offering nuanced reflections on identity, nature, urban life, political unrest and artistic innovation across the continent. The result is a powerful, poetic exploration of shared histories and distinct cultural voices.

Curated by Maria Amalia Garcia and Issa Al Shirawi, LATINOAMERICANO is a flagship event of the Qatar-Argentina-Chile 2025 Year of Culture, celebrating artistic dialogue between regions.

Dates: Until July 19

Location: National Museum of Qatar

More details here

2. Word on the street: Athr Cafe

Breakfast at the Athr Café, nestled inside the Perfume and Oud Souq, Souq Waqif. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/athr.cafe )

Doha’s cafe culture just welcomed a new star — the Athr Cafe, a serene hideaway steeped in Qatari heritage and hospitality. Created by the team behind @haql.qa, this concept cafe blends tradition with modernity, offering an immersive cultural experience in the heart of Souq Waqif.

Tucked inside the Oud and Arabic Perfumes Souq, the Athr Cafe is more than just a coffee stop — it’s a sensory journey. Every detail evokes a deep connection to place and tradition, from the scent of oud to the soothing sound of a water feature to the sunlight filtering through the trees and the presence of a native sidra tree.

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful spot to sip specialty coffee or a meaningful cultural setting to unwind, Athr is a celebration of Qatari identity with a contemporary twist. It’s already a favorite among locals and curious explorers alike.

Location: Oud and Arabic Perfumes Souq, Souq Waqif

More details here

3. Doha diary

 Al-Jabala, an original Arabic theatrical production. (Photo: Courtesy of @deep.evpro via Instagram)

• Al-Jabala, an Arabic play

Prepare to be swept up in a one-of-a-kind stage experience that blends bold comedy, suspenseful horror, and raw human emotion. Set against the backdrop of Qatar’s evolving social fabric, Al-Jabala explores the complexities of modern life, tradition, and identity. This gripping and culturally rooted play balances entertainment with profound reflections on belonging, fear, and human connection, making it much more than just a theatrical performance.

Dates: June 26–27

Location: U Venue 

More information here

• Walk in Their Shoes, an immersive exhibition

In partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Qatar Fund for Development invites you to explore powerful refugee narratives through Walk in Their Shoes, an immersive exhibition. Visitors will find real-life stories of resilience, perseverance and hope, spotlighting voices too often unheard.

Date: Through June 27

Location: Place Vendôme Mall, upper ground floor, Gate 1, between Zara and Bershka

More information here

• Kufic Intermediate Workshop

Building on a beginners’ course, this workshop explores the historic Kufic script — known for its bold, modern-looking lines—by introducing more complex words and phrases. Led by master calligrapher Hussein Ammar Ahmed, it is the perfect opportunity to take your skills to the next level.

Dates: June 28

Location: Museum of Islamic Art

More information here

• Art of Cardz trade night

Calling all collectors! This one-night-only event is your chance to dive into the vibrant world of collectible cards and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Dates: June 27

Location: Gate mall 

More information here

• Bangladeshi Mango Festival 2025

The first-ever Bangladeshi Mango Festival lands in Souq Waqif, bringing a juicy celebration of flavor, tradition and seasonal delight. Expect stalls bursting with varieties of premium mangoes straight from Bangladesh.

Dates: Through July 1

Location: Souq Waqif

More information here

4. Book of the week: “Love from A to Z”

S.K. Ali’s acclaimed novel brings together two Muslim teens whose lives collide during spring break in Doha. Through alternating journal entries, Love from A to Z explores themes of faith, identity, grief and young love, all set against a familiar local backdrop. With emotional depth and relatable charm, it’s a young adult romance that resonates far beyond the genre.

5. View from Doha

Traditional boats anchored in front of Doha's highrise buildings, in Qatar, on June 23, 2025. Iran announced it had launched missiles at a major US base in Qatar on June 23 in retaliation for American strikes on key nuclear facilities, with explosions ringing out in Doha and projectiles seen streaking overhead. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

6. By the numbers

• Qatar has the lowest unemployment rate in the Arab region, at just 0.1%, according to the World Bank’s latest World Development Indicators.
• Qatar ranks fourth among Arab countries in scientific research output, contributing 9.13% to the region’s total, based on the Nature Index 2025, which measures high-quality research published in 145 leading journals.