This cross-cultural exhibition recreates the atmosphere of a majlis—the space of hospitality and dialogue present in homes throughout the Arabian Gulf—offering guests the opportunity to exchange ideas about how much common ground exists between different cultures, and how these commonalities have been expressed in technology, art and culture.

The central majlis and the selected artifacts that comprise the exhibition are a testimony to the beauty and the stories that have resulted from centuries of intercultural dialogue. In a time of profound cultural divides, visitors can explore the question of how culture can be a facilitator of dialogue: a dialogue capable of transcending barriers and expanding the horizons of our understanding of other peoples and places.

The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue is part of a larger project that seeks to connect people, beliefs and cultures by offering a platform for respectful, yet incisive dialogue. Along with a program of conferences and educational activities, the exhibition is designed to encourage visitors to respond to what they see and to share their own stories, creating dialogue between East and West, between young and old, between the past and the future.

The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue has been organized at the initiative of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum, in partnership with the UNESCO Doha Office and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The Malta leg of the exhibition, sponsored by Shell and BNF Bank, will be held in partnership with Heritage Malta at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta from 15 September to 28 October 2018, under the patronage of H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO.

 

The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue is endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation.