As the volunteer trip concluded, attention turned to upcoming initiatives under the Qatar, Argentina, and Chile 2025 Year of Culture programme.
Qatar Museums’ Community Development Section took staff, artists and volunteers to Chile for the Years Of Culture International Volunteer Trip, part of the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture initiative, from September 27 to October 4.
The week-long program connected volunteers with local communities through hands-on activities, including mural painting, pottery-making, seaweed gathering, nature conservation and photography.
The journey started along the Chilean coast in Matanzas– a coastal town in Chile– where volunteers immersed themselves in the tradition of seaweed gathering.
The Qatar-based volunteers learned the traditional method of harvesting seaweed, known as “hand harvesting”.
They witnessed first-hand practice that has been passed down for generations, involving using a knife or other cutting tools to remove the seaweed from the rocks on the ocean floor.
Understanding the environmental and cultural significance was the main goal
The journey continued in the heart of Chile’s mountainous countryside, where volunteers explored and learned the centuries-old craft of pottery.
Hazem Idriss, Head of Community Service at Qatar Museums and volunteer team lead, highlighted that through shaping clay and seaweed harvesting, participants celebrated heritage, connection, and cross-cultural understanding.”We worked with local communities on murals, photography workshops, and other activities designed to connect with the younger generations and share knowledge creatively.”
Club Deportivo Palestino: More than a team, a symbol of a people
The journey continued with a visit to Club Deportivo Palestino in Santiago, a club with a legacy that goes far beyond football and trophies. The club’s motto reads: Mas que un equipo, todo un pueblo (More than a team, a whole people).
Club Deportivo Palestino, a football team that plays in a uniform of white, green and red. Their stadium flies Palestinian flags and their social sports club boasts an open-air pool in the shape of a 1948 pre partition plan map of Palestine.
But, Club Deportivo Palestino is not just a football team. It’s a living symbol of identity, resilience, and cultural pride. Based in Santiago, the capital of Chile, the club was founded in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants.
Since then, it has stood as both a competitive football institution and a bold expression of the Palestinian-Chilean community’s heritage.
Rania Sansur, a middle fielder for Club Deportivo Palestino, who also represents Palestine women’s national team, said her father’s family got evicted from Palestine, and came to Chile in 1921, shared her pride in representing both Palestinians and Chileans of Palestinian descent: “We do not play only for points or tournaments but for all those who are far from their homeland. We carry a lot of responsibility”.
Better known as Palestino, the team plays in Chile’s top football league, the Primera División de Chile. At the heart of this community, Palestino has not only served as a rallying point for the diaspora, but also an instrument of cultural exchange and diplomacy.
“We know we are representing people facing genocide…”
Palestino has also extended its support to the club’s fans in Palestine. Since 2010, the football club’s largest sponsor has been the Bank of Palestine – part of the bank’s efforts to strengthen its relationships with the Palestinian diaspora.
As the genocide in Gaza continues, Palestino’s football matches have become a site for solidarity, mourning and defiant celebration of the Chilean-Palestinian identity.
Chilean footballer Bryan Carrasco, captain of the club, says he feels a profound responsibility to honor Palestino’s history and ensure people understand the legacy the club represents. “We know we are representing people facing genocide now and trying to preserve what belongs to them, their land. The legacy of Palestino is a message we carry with responsibility and pride.”
Diego Yunis Echenique, General Manager of Club Palestino, spoke with evident pride about the deep sense of purpose that comes with leading such a historic club, reflecting on its rich legacy and enduring connection to Palestine.
“We are proud to be part of Chile, but we can never forget our Palestinian roots. Palestino was founded 105 years ago, carrying a long history that reminds us of where we came from and the generations of Palestinians who made their home in Chile.”
The final major period of immigration from Palestine to Chile came following the Nakba in 1948, when 700,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes. Most migrants arrived at the port of Buenos Aires before travelling across Argentina and entering into Chile over the Andes on mules.
Palestino gears up for Qatar visit
Today’s generation of proud Chileans with Palestinian roots is committed to representing Palestinians both in their homeland and across the world. Through the Years of Culture initiative, their values and vision is reflected as they expressed great enthusiasm for their upcoming visit to Qatar.
“For us, that match will be far more than just a game. Here in Chile, we represent Club Palestino, but when we play abroad, especially in Doha, it becomes something deeper. We carry with us the pride and spirit of our entire community.”
Antonio Ceza, who joined the club as a young player and has seen its growth firsthand, expressed his excitement for Palestino’s upcoming visit to Qatar in December.
“I hope many people will come to watch the Palestino play. I’m also thrilled to welcome visitors from Qatar, so they can experience our country, culture, and traditions firsthand.”
Club Deportivo Palestino (CDP), will be in Doha this December for a week of cultural and sport-based exchange programming as part of the Qatar–Chile 2025 Year of Culture.
Palestino games in Doha are being organized in collaboration with Generation Amazing.
The Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the Years of Culture.
Alberto van Klaveren Stork, the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the Years of Culture initiative, calling it a foundation for deeper ties rooted in shared history, heritage, and traditions. “We celebrate the opportunity to enrich and strengthen the bonds between our countries. Understanding each other’s culture forms the basis of a strong, enduring relationship,” he said.
Upcoming Initiatives – Qatar, Argentina, and Chile 2025 Year of Culture programme.
As the volunteer trip concluded, attention turned to upcoming initiatives under the Qatar, Argentina, and Chile 2025 Year of Culture programme.
In October, CultuRide will see over 40 Qatari cyclists embark on a 500-kilometre journey across Chile and Argentina, engaging with local communities and athletes while exploring cities and mountain landscapes.
The Jedariart project with Chilean muralist Daniel Marceli and Argentinian artist Pablo Harymbat will transform Qatar Olympic Cycling Track tunnels into outdoor galleries celebrating indigenous cultures and Latin America visual storytelling.
October at Qatar National Library will host a series of creative workshops and cultural programs, including Make with Me: Chile Edition, storytelling sessions like Chile Storytime: When the Moai Walked , and hands-on art and craft sessions exploring Chilean and Argentinian traditions with Take & Make workshops starting in November.
Culinary experiences such as Sabor Argentino and Sabor Chileno will highlight traditional cuisines, while music and performance programs, including Cordillera Sonora – Sound of the Mountains, will celebrate Chile’s rich musical heritage.
Film and public arts initiatives will be featured prominently, including the Doha Film Festival: Made in Argentina/Chile Showcase, M7 Retail Pop-Up, M7 Makers Space Takeover and World Wide Walls Doha already in December, bringing Chilean and Argentinian street artists to Doha to create large-scale community-driven murals.
Art exhibitions will include Gabriel Chaile’s Autorretrato at Mathaf from 18 December, exploring themes of identity, diaspora, and indigenous heritage. Cinema Under the Stars will screen family-friendly films from Argentina and Chile also in December.
Sports and community programs will continue with a Football for Development collaboration with Club Deportivo Palestino, including friendly matches with the Qatar Stars League and screenings of the Chasing Dreams docuseries.
Through this diverse and dynamic program, the Years of Culture initiative continues to celebrate shared heritage, foster creative expression, and strengthen lasting cultural connections between Qatar, Argentina, and Chile.
