Doha: Qatar Museums (QM) has announced a comprehensive public programme to accompany the "Countryside: A Place to Live, Not Leave" exhibition, currently showcased at Qatar Preparatory School (QPS) and the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). This initiative aims to engage scholars, artists, students, and communities in discussions and practical activities focusing on conservation, food systems, and sustainable futures. The events are scheduled to take place from November 8 to 27, 2025, across QPS and other significant locations in Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the exhibition "Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave" is presented by QPS and NMoQ and is a project by AMO/OMA that challenges the narrative of urbanisation by re-evaluating the importance of rural areas. Originally presented at the Guggenheim in 2020, the exhibition explores a historically interconnected region that extends from Africa through the Middle East and Central Asia to Mongolia and China. Despite accounting for 80 percent of the global population, this extensive geographical zone is densely populated but lacks major urban centers, presenting a compelling alternative to urban living.
Among the programme's highlights is "Student Presentations - Imagining Rural Environmental Futures," where students from Georgetown University in Qatar will present their innovative ideas and creative works. This special session allows students from the course Imagining Rural Environmental Futures to showcase their final projects, which explore the potential of imagination, design, and storytelling in shaping sustainable and connected rural futures.
Following these presentations, a facilitated panel discussion will engage students in deeper exploration of their creative processes, the themes underlying their projects, and broader questions concerning the future of rural life in a rapidly changing world.
Additionally, the programme features a panel discussion titled "Jamdani Weaving Talk - The Story Told by Jamdani Weaving," highlighting the past, present, and future of Jamdani weaving. This session will feature Nobel Prize-winning economist Prof. Abhijit Banerjee and architectural historian and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier. Through original drawings and woven scrolls, the discussion will unveil the vibrant history of India, from the exquisite craftsmanship of Jamdani weaving to the impactful forces of colonial rule, migration, and reindustrialization.