Qatar Reads launches exhibition as part of Qatar-Argentina 2025 Year of Culture

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Culture of Buenos Aires H E Gabriela Ricardes and Counsellor at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Argentina Ali Al Binali...

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Culture of Buenos Aires H E Gabriela Ricardes and Counsellor at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Argentina  Ali Al-Binali officially inaugurated the Kalila wa Dimna exhibition as part of Qatar Reads’ participation in the Qatar–Argentina 2025 Year of Culture.

Organised by Qatar Reads, a national initiative under Qatar National Library, the exhibition and accompanying cultural session marked a major highlight in this year’s cross-cultural programming. The event brought together children, families, educators, and dignitaries to celebrate the power of storytelling and its role in establishing dialogue between cultures.

Qatar Reads aims to cultivate a love of reading in Qatar through Nationwide programs and campaigns. It has extended its reach through partnerships with the Years of Culture initiative by promoting reciprocal literary exchange: while Arabic stories are shared abroad, Argentinian tales will be introduced to readers in Qatar later this year.

This year’s collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires brings the classical Arabic fables of Kalila wa Dimna to libraries across Argentina in Spanish. Themselves an embodiment of cross-cultural power, the fables, originating in ancient India, translated into Arabic in the 8th century, and passed on through Islamic and European literary traditions, are known for imparting moral lessons through talking animals and cunning plots.

The exhibition, on view from August 6 to  October 31, features 12 newly commissioned miniature-style paintings by Qatari artist Wadha Al Athba. Created with traditional materials such as indigo, saffron, and gold leaf, the artworks blend the aesthetics of classical Islamic art with contemporary visual storytelling.