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Doha, October 26 (QNA) - HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated Sunday Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight." Taking its name from the local term for a sea turtle, Lehmesa exhibition celebrates the resilience of the Hawksbill turtle, and reflects the nation’s commitment to protecting its biodiversity. On view from Oct. 27, 2025 to Feb. 7, 2026, the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Qatar, a milestone that honours five decades of preserving and sharing the nation’s cultural and natural legacy. Through six immersive sections, Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight traces the Hawksbill’s journey from land to sea, offering visitors a sensory-rich experience inspired by Qatar’s coastlines, coral reefs, and marine habitats. Blending environmental science with creative interpretation, the exhibition features works by London-based artist Josh Gluckstein and encourages visitors to reflect on their role in sustaining the balance of the natural world. In his remarks, HE Director of the National Museum of Qatar Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani said that the exhibition highlights the vital role of sea turtles in Qatar's marine ecosystems, focusing on Hawksbill turtles, the only species of turtle that nests on Qatari beaches. This narrative combines environmental, scientific, and cultural facts to highlight the role these creatures play in shaping our country's natural heritage. His Excellency added that the exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Museum of Qatar in 1975, emphasizing that over five decades, the museum has preserved the country's cultural and natural heritage and shared it with successive generations, becoming a monument that combines history, science, and innovation. He pointed out that the "Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight" exhibition embodies this approach by celebrating the treasures of Qatar's environment, enhancing public awareness, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility toward the environment. He urged everyone to work to preserve these natural resources, from the sands of the beaches to the depths of the sea. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey with Hawksbill turtles, exploring their life cycle, natural habitat, and evolution throughout history. Through artwork and hands-on experiences, the exhibition brings participants closer to Qatar's rich natural heritage and offers a sensory-interactive experience that transports visitors to the world of the sea. Through this experience, visitors reflect on their responsibility to protect marine environments and support sustainability. As part of the exhibition's public programming, National Museum of Qatar will host a series of events, workshops, and educational activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and Qatar University. These initiatives aim to deepen public understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation, engaging families, students, and communities in hands-on learning experiences that highlight the importance of Qatar's coastal ecosystems. In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of the Jinan Research Ship at Qatar University and member of the scientific committee supervising the exhibition Dr. Jassim Abdullah Al Khayyat said that the aim of the exhibition is to document the history of sea turtles from their formation to the present day, and to review the environmental changes they have faced and the dangers that threaten their survival. He added that the exhibition represents an important awareness and cultural initiative that highlights turtles, all of whose species are at risk of extinction. He noted that the project provides direct support for the preservation of the environment and its natural components, in addition to its role in educating the public from various educational backgrounds in a simplified, interactive manner that is easy to understand. He indicated that green turtles play an important environmental role by feeding on seaweed and replenishing the environment, while Hawksbill turtles contribute to maintaining the balance of coral reefs by feeding on marine sponges, preventing the sponges from becoming overpopulated and preserving the health of the marine ecosystem. For his part, marine environment specialist and professor at Qatar University and a member of the exhibition's scientific committee Dr. Mohsen Abdullah Al Yafei told QNA that the preparations for the exhibition took two years of research and scientific work, noting that the exhibition complements previous exhibitions that focused on aquatic creatures in Qatar, such as dugongs, which were organized during the COVID-19 pandemic and achieved remarkable success. He said that Qatar is one of the last natural havens for sea turtles, with its beaches serving as prime nesting sites. He noted that the country has worked to protect these sites and reduce negatively impacting practices such as overfishing and coastal encroachment. (QNA)
