Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, emphasised the enduring influence of the sea: “The dynamic harmony between land and sea has inspired our culture and heritage, provided our livelihoods, and helped transform our nation into what it is today.”
The Qatar Pavilion in Japan’s Osaka, open to visitors until 13 October 2025, offers an immersive experience celebrating the nation’s rich coastal heritage and its lasting impact on culture, trade, and sustainability.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and creatively directed by Qatar Blueprint, a think tank under Qatar Museums, the pavilion highlights the deep connection between Qatar’s identity and its 563-kilometre coastline.
Designed as a tribute to both sustainable development and cultural exchange, the Pavilion presents a blend of historical insight and forward-looking initiatives, positioning Qatar’s maritime legacy as a vital part of its national narrative and global engagement.
Architectural marvel: A nod to maritime heritage
Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designed the Qatar Pavilion with inspiration drawn from the traditional Qatari dhow—a wooden sailing vessel central to the region’s pearling history. The structure features a lightweight timber framework draped in flowing white fabric, seamlessly blending Qatari and Japanese wood-joinery techniques.
This architectural fusion serves as a tribute to the shared maritime heritage of Qatar and Japan, both nations historically connected through trade and pearl diving.
Greeting visitors at the entrance is an outdoor vitrine displaying verses by Qatar’s Founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, and poet Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Muhannadi. These poems are superimposed on imagery of Qatar’s coastline, visually transitioning from deep ocean blue to shimmering turquoise, symbolizing the nation’s enduring connection to the sea.
Land, sea, and cultural memory
Inside the Qatar Pavilion, visitors are guided through a multi-sensory transition from sea to land, offering a vivid exploration of the nation’s cultural and environmental identity.
The experience begins with a display of sands in varying hues, evoking Qatar’s inland deserts, and backlit panels featuring ancient rock carvings from Al Jassasiya. Nearby, two historical maps trace the transformation of Qatar’s coastline over two centuries—from a modest pearling hub to a modern centre of trade and diplomacy.
At the heart of the Pavilion is a panoramic projection of Qatar’s coastline, encircled by the striking “Sea Curtain”, a wave-like installation by Dutch design firm Inside-Outside. This visual boundary frames a three-screen film by The Explorers, blending archival and contemporary footage to portray Qatar’s evolution—highlighting how natural resources and human resilience have shaped the nation’s identity.
The exhibit “Land & Sea – Navigating the Journey”, curated by the National Museum of Qatar, shines a light on the ghawaseen (pearl divers) and altawash (merchants) who formed the backbone of Qatar’s early economy. Artefacts from coastal households also reveal the often-overlooked contributions of women in sustaining these maritime communities.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, emphasised the enduring influence of the sea: “The dynamic harmony between land and sea has inspired our culture and heritage, provided our livelihoods, and helped transform our nation into what it is today.”
On the Pavilion’s second floor, visitors will find a library curated by Atlas Bookstore and a contemporary majlis featuring seating by Qatari designer Maryam Al Homaid.
A dedicated area celebrating Qatar-Japan relations showcases artworks by Yousef Ahmed and Hayaki Nishigaki from the 2012 Qatar–Japan Year of Culture.
The space will host workshops, lectures, and cultural events throughout the Expo, continuing the Pavilion’s role as a platform for dialogue and exchange.
Aligned with Expo 2025’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Qatar Pavilion underscores the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
It also highlights the strength of Qatar’s creative industries, featuring employee uniforms designed by local fashion label TERZI and photography by Qatari artists Fatema Ibrahim Al Sehlawi and Meera Badran.
Through both its design and programming, the Pavilion presents a vision where cultural heritage and environmental stewardship come together to shape inclusive, forward-looking societies.
