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.
The travelling cross-cultural exhibition will be touring a number of European countries, continuing to the US in 2021.

The Project

The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue is at the core of an ambitious project initiated by the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum to create a multifaceted forum for respectful yet incisive dialogue that connects people, beliefs and cultures. The exhibition is organized in partnership with Qatar Museums, UNESCO Doha Office and the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science. It will be presented at various major venues in Valletta, Paris, Vienna and throughout Europe.

The Majlis

A majlis is the social space present in homes throughout the Arabian Gulf. For hundreds of years and up to the present day, it has been a setting for hospitality and dialogue, where families welcome visitors bearing stories and exotic gifts from their homelands, where children learn from their elders, and where communities gather to make decisions, great and small.

For the first time, The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue will offer European audiences the experience of a real majlis. Visitors of the exhibition will be encouraged to sit, listen to stories and exchange ideas with each other and with scholars on what they see, discover and experience in the displays. Each visitor will have a unique experience at the exhibition; the same object will trigger different thoughts and emotions in each individual. The majlis, a space for encounters and the transmission of knowledge, will provide the captivating scene for sharing these experiences. This will be supplemented by organized activities such as panels, interactive films, lectures, storytelling and more.

26 Likes, 0 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “According to one of our visitors during our last exhibition, dialogue enhances the relationship…”
“La Maison de l’UNESCO propose une exposition autour du Majlis, lieu de rencontres sociales, de débats et de décisions politique dans la civilisation arabe, du 29 novembre au 14 décembre 2018. https://t.co/Zw1lBNKcjN”
30 Likes, 0 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: ““We need to connect with culture in order to realise that we are still human.” Ivone Al Baki,…”
“Anna Paolini, Director at UNESCO Doha and @UNESCO_fr Representative for the @UNESCO_GCCYemen vouches for H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani’s passion for art, Tell us how you feel about the collection. #Themajlusculturesindialogue #Paris #UNESCO https://t.co/kKgDHSMMGn”
26 Likes, 1 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: ““We need to connect with culture in order to realise that we are still human.” Ivone Al Baki,…”
“The youth from @QFQAD are visiting today #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue at @UNESCO_fr #Paris. This visit sheds light on the importance of ithe youth’s involvement in culture heritage as well as meaningful and respective dialogue.”
34 Likes, 2 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “Culture will help us connect back to what makes us innately human. Listen to the UN Goodwill…”
“Every artefact on display at #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue is a part of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, an eclectic collector who enjoys collecting artefacts that tell stories, symbolic of his passion for knowledge and a desire to celebrate human creativity. #UNESCO”
39 Likes, 3 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “Can culture bring us together? Tell us how you think our past, heritage and culture can open up a…”
“More from the night of the grand opening ceremony of #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue cross-cultural travelling exhibition in the presence of government, cultural and corporate officials from Qatar and France, as well as representatives of a number of cultural institutions. #UNESCO”
34 Likes, 1 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “Can artefacts tell stories? Every artefact that goes on display at The Majlis – Cultures in…”
“The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue opened up to a great start, hosting more than 200 VIP guests on the 29th of November at the @UNESCO_fr Headquarters in Paris. @post_kees @FBQMuseum #Themajlisculturesindialogue #UNESCO #Paris”
61 Likes, 1 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue opened up to a great start, hosting more than 200 VIP guests on…”
59 Likes, 0 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue opened up to a great start, hosting more than 200 VIP guests on…”
“The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue opened up to a great start, hosting more than 200 VIP guests on the 29th of November at the @UNESCO_fr Headquarters in Paris. @post_kees @FBQMuseum #Themajlisculturesindialogue #UNESCO #Paris”
55 Likes, 0 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “More from the night of the grand opening ceremony of #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue cross-cultural…”
“Can artefacts tell stories? Every artefact that goes on display at The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue comes with a story to tell. Stories that bind us through its role in history. Tell us which famous artefact holds meaning for you? #Themajlisculturesindialogue #Paris #UNESCO”
29 Likes, 0 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “Anna Paolini, Director UNESCO Doha and UNESCO Representative for the Arab States of the Gulf and…”
“A walk through the beautiful collection at #themajlisculturesindialogue. @FBQMuseum @UNESCO_fr #Paris #UNESCO https://t.co/Rxak9oKWYy”
42 Likes, 1 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “A collection symbolic of the collector’s passion! Every artefact on display at The Majlis –…”
“Tell us how you think our past, heritage and culture can open up a dialogue to bring us together, regardless of where we’re from? #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue is open to the public starting today until the 14th of December. We want to hear your thoughts!”
25 Likes, 1 Comments - The Majlis On Tour (@themajlisculturesindialogue) on Instagram: “Anna Paolini, Director at UNESCO Doha and UNESCO Representative for the Arab States of the Gulf and…”
“ulture will help us connect back to what makes us innately human. Listen to the UN Goodwill Ambassador and the Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, Ivone Al Baki’s words about the power of #Thamajlisculturesindialogue opens its doors to the public starting today! #CulturalHeritage https://t.co/xMwxxqpbQQ”
“What a beautiful place to share and listen to stories and engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue over culture, heritage and artifacts #themajlisculturesindialogue happening now! @AFP @UNESCO_fr @post_kees @whjourney @ExhibitionWorld @Le_Figaro @bfm”
“Culture will help us connect back to what makes us innately human. Listen to the UN Goodwill Ambassador and the Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, Ivone Al Baki’s wise words about the power of The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue. @UNESCO_fr #Paris #UNESCO #Themajlisculturesindialogue https://t.co/7VCFdCUD0C”
“Culture will help us connect back to what makes us innately human. Listen to the UN Goodwill Ambassador and the Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, Ivone Al Baki’s wise words about the power of The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue. #TheMajlisCulturesInDialogue #Unesco #Paris @UNESCO_fr https://t.co/8kP0I39pfr”
“Indulge in the fine art of dialogue! The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue is almost here. Tell us what are you most excited to see at the exhibition? @UNESCO_fr #Themajlisculturesindialogue #Paris #UNESCO #art #CulturalHeritage #culture #Heritage #Storiestold #storiesthroughart”