Nostalgia takes the stage at Doha's Fire Station gallery
Plus: Ice cream at Msheireb, Rasha Rizk live, and a new book on Qatar’s gas boom.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
From prints that stir forgotten memories to scoops that sweeten summer afternoons, Doha this week invites you to slow down and savor the season. Step into a gallery where nostalgia is pressed onto paper, then wander through the cool corridors of Msheireb, where ice cream and arcade games offer simple pleasures. Whether you’re reliving childhood songs with singer Rasha Rizk or reimagining Qatari heritage through design and play, the city is full of stories old and new.
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Thanks for reading,
Reve
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.
1. Leading the week: “Printed Nostalgia”
The iconic Fire Station building in Doha. (Photo courtesy of the Fire Station website)
Nostalgia takes center stage this week at the Fire Station’s Gallery 4 with “Printed Nostalgia,” a thought-provoking group exhibition that reimagines memories in physical form.
The show brings together works by 99 artists from around the world, each exploring personal and collective memory through a rich variety of print-based media. Selected from more than 300 submissions responding to an international open call, the featured pieces span digital illustration, photography, painting, collage and text. Each print is a tactile echo of a moment, a place or a feeling once held dear.
Whether it’s the warmth of home, the rhythm of a childhood routine or the architecture of a distant city, “Printed Nostalgia” captures the universal longing for connection through the lens of migration, culture and everyday life. The result is a layered tapestry of identities, histories and emotional landscapes.
The exhibition concludes in a dedicated reflection room, offering visitors a quiet space to reconnect with their own memories.
Co-curated by Saida Alkhulaifi and Fatima Alzaini, “Printed Nostalgia” invites you not only to observe, but to remember.
Dates: Through Sept. 1
Location: Gallery 4, Fire Station
More details here.
2. Word on the street: Galleria Ice Cream Event
The Msheireb Galleria. (Photo courtesy of the Msheireb Properties website)
This summer, beat the heat with a sweet escape in Msheireb Downtown Doha. From July 17 to 26, the Galleria Ice Cream Event transforms the Msheireb Galleria into a vibrant indoor playground of flavor and fun.
At the heart of this family-friendly occasion is a whimsical celebration of frozen treats and the Arcade Hangout, a nostalgic gaming zone designed to entertain visitors of all ages. Whether you’re sampling ice cream from local vendors or revisiting pixel-powered retro favorites, this 10-day event promises cool experiences and warm memories.
Organized by Msheireb Properties, the event is part of Msheireb Downtown Doha’s ongoing efforts to create inclusive, community-driven experiences that bring residents, tourists and families together. This flavorful fusion of fun and connection aligns with Msheireb’s mission to support local businesses and offer enriching moments, especially during the school holiday season.
Dates: July 17–26
Location: Msheireb Galleria, Wadi Msheireb Street
More details here.
3. Doha diary
Rasha Rizk performing at the Qatar Toy Festival 2024. (Courtesy of @rasha_rizk Instagram)
Rasha Rizk returns to the Qatar Toy Festival!
Beloved for her iconic voice in Arabic cartoons and anime, Rasha Rizk returns to the Qatar Toy Festival stage — back by popular demand for another unforgettable live performance!
Dates: July 18–19
Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center
More information here.
Doha Summer Trade & Shopping Exhibition
From traditional jalabiyas and abayas to household supplies and sweets, the Doha Summer Trade & Shopping Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center is your go-to destination for summer shopping. From men’s and women’s clothes to coffee and carpets, come find everything you need under one roof.
Dates: Through Aug. 4
Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center
More information here.
Interior design: Past meets present
Discover how traditional Qatari architecture influences contemporary interior design at Msheireb Museums, home to Radwani House and Bin Jelmood House. Begin at Radwani House — a restored 1920s family home — then take part in a creative challenge reimagining heritage through modern design.
Date: July 21
Location: Bin Jelmood House, Msheireb Museums
More information here.
- Aspire Summer Camp 2025
The Aspire Zone Foundation welcomes kids to a summer of fun, learning and growth. Combining sports with arts and crafts, the Aspire Summer Camp offers an environment where children build skills, confidence and friendships.
Dates: Through Aug. 7
Location: Ladies Sports Hall, Doha
More information here.
Memory-Inspired Game Design
Turn Qatar’s rich heritage into fun, interactive games! This unique workshop at the Bin Jelmood House invites participants to design games inspired by local stories and landmarks while learning basic computer programming and boosting analytical skills.
Date: July 22–23 and Aug. 19–20
Location: Bin Jelmood House, Msheireb Museums
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “From Black Gold to Frozen Gas”
Where desert sands once whispered of hidden wealth, today gleaming steel pipelines and LNG tankers carry Qatar’s energy legacy across the oceans. “From Black Gold to Frozen Gas,” the new book by Michael D. Tusiani with Anne-Marie Johnson, traces Qatar’s transformation from a quiet British protectorate to a global energy superpower. Through oil booms, gas breakthroughs and boardroom battles, it tells the story of how vision, ambition and persistence turned the world’s largest gas field into a launchpad for geopolitical influence. Connecting past to present, this read offers a deeper look at the forces behind Doha’s rise.
5. View from Doha
This picture shows a view inside the Katara Mosque, also known as "Qatar's Turquoise Mosque,” designed by Turkish architect Zainab Fadil Oglu, in Katara Cultural Village in Doha, on July 15, 2025. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
6. By the numbers
- According to the International Telecommunication Union’s 2025 ICT Development Index report, Qatar ranks fourth out of 174 countries in information and communication technology development, achieving a score of 98.4.
- Qatar has the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves, at an estimated 843 trillion cubic feet, according to the US Energy Information Administration.