Venice: Qatar Museums (QM) has announced its plans to establish a permanent national pavilion in the historic Giardini della Biennale, which has been a public space since 1895. This development will position Qatar alongside 30 other nations that have permanent pavilions in the Giardini in Venice, Italy.
According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement comes after the signing of a Protocol of Cooperation between Qatar Museums and the Municipality of Venice in June 2024. The agreement is designed to strengthen current relations and enhance cultural, social, and economic ties between Qatar, Venice, and the Italian Republic.
HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums and commissioner of the Qatar Pavilion, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, emphasized the importance of La Biennale di Venezia as a global gathering for art and architecture, noting the Giardini's role as a space where national pavilions act as ambassadors. She expressed pride in Qatar's participation in this international forum, highlighting Qatar's commitment to cultural diplomacy and showcasing creative talents from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia, welcomed Qatar's involvement, noting Venice's historical diversity and the city's ongoing tradition of fostering curiosity, exploration, and cultural exchange. He described Qatar's pavilion as a global beacon of creativity and cross-cultural understanding.
The Qatar Pavilion is set to be centrally located in the Giardini, near the Book Pavilion. It will be activated in May 2025 during the 19th International Architecture Exhibition with Yasmeen Lari's large-scale installation, Community Centre. This installation is part of the exhibition Beyti Beytak (My home is your home), which will be displayed at both the Giardini and ACP-Palazzo Franchetti.
In accordance with the Biennale Architettura 2025 theme, Beyti Beytak will explore contemporary reflections of hospitality and welcome traditions in architecture and landscapes across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The exhibition will honor pioneering architects and thinkers, showcasing works from over 20 architects from the region, including several whose works have not previously been exhibited in Venice.
Featured modern architects include Raj Rewal (India), Nayyar Ali Dada (Pakistan), Abdel Wahed El Wakil (Egypt), and Minnette de Silva (Sri Lanka). Their work will be displayed alongside contemporary designers and architects like Marina Tabassum and Nabil Haque (Bangladesh), Sameep Padora and Vastu Shilpa (India), Daaz Studio (Iran), Abeer Seikaly (Jordan), Sumaya Dabbagh (UAE), Liz Diller (USA), New South Studio (France), and Meriem Shabani (Iran).
The exhibition is commissioned by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Qatar Museums, with organization by the future Art Mill Museum. Aur©lien Lemonier, Curator of Architecture at the Art Mill Museum, and Sean Anderson, Associate Professor at Cornell University, are curating the event in collaboration with Virgile Alexandre.