Buenos Aires, September 17 (QNA) – Years of Culture initiative has announced the Autumn Season: Qatar-Argentina Cultural Year 2025 which showcases a rich lineup of events ranging from music, intellectual debates, and community initiatives to a special cross-border cycling journey.

Through this season, the initiative seeks to highlight the bridges of cultural and creative exchange between the two nations, while supporting Qatar’s efforts to build enduring relations with countries across the globe by showcasing heritage, the creative industries, social and economic development, and innovation.

To mark this occasion, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Buenos Aires hosted a special celebration, underscoring the significance of the Qatar-Argentina 2025 Year of Culture as part of a long-term initiative launched in 2012 to deepen cross-cultural understanding through global partnerships.

Each year, the initiative pairs Qatar with a new country, with the aim of strengthening ties in the fields of heritage, sports, innovation, and development at both the social and economic levels.

Addressing the ceremony, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Argentina Battal bin Meajeb Al Dosari applauded the achievements of the initiative to date, noting that: “This partnership comes at a particularly meaningful moment in Qatar’s cultural story as we mark several important anniversaries, including the 20th anniversary of Qatar Museums and the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar. These milestones are commemorated through Evolution Nation – a campaign that traces our journey from the founding of the National Museum to today’s robust cultural ecosystem. We are here today because these foundations have enabled initiatives like the Years of Culture to extend our connections worldwide”.

HE Minister of Economic Development for the City of Buenos Aires Hernan Lombardi, and HE Minister of Culture for the City of Buenos Aires Gabriela Ricardes, attended the event and expressed their support for the ongoing collaboration.

Both officials highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy as a tool to deepen bilateral ties, with Ricardes noting that “these exchanges expand opportunities for dialogue, creativity, and long-term cooperation”.

This year’s programme has already featured the landmark LATINOAMERICANO exhibition at the National Museum of Qatar, staged in partnership with the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA).

The critically acclaimed exhibition was the first large-scale presentation of Latin American art in the wider West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region and drew thousands of visitors.

Qatar Reads, an initiative led by Qatar National Library focused on encouraging a love of reading from an early age, is bringing Arabic tales to Argentina through storytelling workshops and the distribution of 1,000 reading kits, all translated to Spanish. An accompanying exhibition of 12 miniature-style paintings by Qatari artist Wadha Al Athba inspired by the Kalila wa Dimna book is on view at Biblioteca Ricardo Güiraldes through the end of October.

The exchange is also building long-term relationships focused on innovation and economic diversification. Earlier this year, seven Argentinian start-ups travelled to Doha for Project Qatar where Argentina was honoured as the Guest Country by Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

These companies showcased the forefront of Argentine innovation, ranging from biotechnology to blockchain, meeting with investors and government representatives to explore opportunities for global expansion.

Through this collaboration, Years of Culture set a new precedent for how cultural exchange can intersect with economic opportunity. This approach will continue later this year, when an Argentine delegation participates in the major Hospitality Qatar expo Nov. 28-30, 2025.

Counselor at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Argentine Republic, Ali Al Binali highlighted a number of upcoming events in both Argentina and Qatar this fall as part of the Qatar-Argentina 2025 Year of Culture, noting experiences designed to inspire audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

The upcoming events include the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s Latin American Debut Concert at Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, under the baton of Maestro Enrique Diemecke.

The orchestra will present its first concert in Latin America, featuring a selection of Qatari-Argentine musical works-from Dana Alfardan to Astor Piazzolla, with the participation of bandoneonist Victor Hugo Villena.

Meanwhile, the Community Service Department of Qatar Museums will undertake its Third International Volunteer Trip from Sept. 20 to 27, traveling to Argentina and Chile. Volunteers will collaborate with local cultural institutions to restore heritage artifacts, conduct workshops, and share culinary traditions.

A Doha Debates Town Hall at Usina del Arte, Buenos Aires will take place on 24 September, in partnership with Doha Debates under Qatar Foundation. The event will bring together young voices from Qatar, Argentina, and Chile to explore how cities can be reimagined for the future, focusing on youth perspectives and linking them to global dialogues on critical issues.

The CultuRide: Cross-Border Cycling Journey will be held from Oct. 6 to 12, with an international team of cycling enthusiasts embarking on a 500-kilometer journey between Chile and Argentina.

Starting from Puerto Varas, across Lake Llanquihue, through the Andes Mountains, and into Argentina, local cyclists will join to exchange traditions, stories, and cultures across borders.

From Oct. 21 to 25, M7, Qatar’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion and design, will host a temporary exhibition showcasing the works of Argentine designer Valentina Musa, presenting her contemporary designs to the public.

Qatar Creates Creative Industries Week 2025 will commence on Oct. 24, featuring a strong presence from Argentina. The week will include an interactive installation by Argentine artist Rirkrit Tiravanija at the Museum of Islamic Art Park, honoring Argentine artist Victor Grippo’s 1972 performance in Buenos Aires.

From Oct. 28 to 30 October, a delegation of Argentine companies will participate in Hospitality Qatar 2025 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), exploring opportunities for economic diversification and establishing partnerships in creative industries.

Under the Mural Art Exchange, during October and December, public spaces in Buenos Aires will feature murals by Qatari artists Abdullah Al Emadi and Abdullah Al Sulaiti, while Argentine artist Pablo Harimabat will add his touch to the Olympic Cycling Track tunnels in Doha from Oct. 8 to 21, contributing to the expansion of the Mural Art initiative.

Additionally, Argentine artist Animaletoland will participate in the Global Walls Festival in Doha from Dec. 3 to 9.

In December, Argentine artist Gabriel Chaile will present a monumental clay sculpture at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, commemorating the museum’s 15th anniversary as part of the Nation of Evolution celebration.

Throughout the season, Qatari cultural institutions will offer additional programs alongside the Year of Culture partnership, including storytelling sessions at Qatar National Library and film screenings organized by the Doha Film Institute, providing audiences with opportunities to explore Argentine culture and creativity. (QNA)