Qatar celebrates heritage at Darb Al Saai
Also this week: Football heritage at Katara, Kadim Al Sahir on stage and candlelit tributes at MIA
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
This week in Doha, Darb Al Saai opens its doors for National Day festivities, inviting the community to reconnect with ancestral traditions through heritage camps, poetry sessions and stories passed down through generations. At Katara Cultural Village, football history comes alive through rare memorabilia and innovative art installations honoring the Arab Cup. And for music lovers, the week offers an unforgettable lineup — from Kadim Al Sahir’s legendary performances to candlelit concerts featuring Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, alongside beloved Arab superstars.
If you want to receive this newsletter or our other new City Pulse editions — including Dubai, Istanbul and Riyadh — sign up here.
Thanks for reading,
Reve
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.
1. Leading the week: Darb Al Saai
Darb Al Saai venue during Qatar National Day celebrations. (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Culture)
Qatar’s National Day celebration returns to Darb Al Saai this December, transforming the historic venue into a vibrant hub of heritage, culture and community pride. The sprawling 150,000 square meter permanent location in Umm Salal will host an extraordinary array of cultural, patrimonial and artistic events that showcase Qatar’s rich traditions and values passed down through generations.
Under the National Day motto “With You it Rises, From You it Awaits,” Darb Al Saai brings together the community to celebrate the nation’s history, identity and vision for the future. The venue features Al Muqtir and Al Izbah Heritage Camps — vivid simulations of life in the Qatari desert — where visitors can experience authentic traditions through poetry sessions, riddle games and traditional crafts.
The Falconry and Hunting House, the Sadu and Weaving House — showcasing women’s traditional craftsmanship — and the Dairy Production House offer immersive glimpses into ancestral ways of life. Children can learn camel riding and handling techniques at Al Izbah, connecting them with the nomadic heritage of their ancestors.
A major maritime heritage component called Al Bidda features the Majlis Al Bidda, Bait Al Mutawa traditional cafe and Majlis Al Nokhatha, and showcases conventional sea games, cultural contests and a maritime museum documenting Qatar’s seafaring history. Beyond heritage experiences, the celebration includes daily cultural events on the main stage including symposia and poetry evenings, diverse sporting activities, art galleries and interactive experiences designed for visitors of all ages.
The Ministry of Culture has coordinated with numerous entities including the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, National Cyber Security Agency and various cultural institutions to create a comprehensive celebration that strengthens national identity and highlights the values of innovation, giving and excellence that define Qatar today.
Date: Until Dec. 20
Location: Darb Al Saai, Umm Salal
More information here.
2. Word on the street: Qatari and Arab Football Memorabilia Exhibition
Aerial drone shot of Katara Cultural Village. (Photo courtesy of Katara Cultural Village Foundation)
As part of the Arab Cup 2025 celebrations, Katara Cultural Village hosts a remarkable exhibition showcasing the rich history of Qatari and Arab soccer. The Qatari and Arab Football Memorabilia Exhibition brings together a collection of iconic pieces that tell the stories of legendary moments and celebrated athletes across the Arab world.
The exhibition showcases original player jerseys, rare sports shoes and unique memorabilia from milestone moments in the Arab Cup. Visitors can explore innovative murals that capture the tournament’s most significant scenes, creating a space where sport, art and collective memory converge. The collection features pieces from the Ahmed Jaber Al-Kuwari Collection and Majid Mohammed Al-Shuqairi, offering soccer enthusiasts an intimate glimpse into the heritage and passion that defines Arab soccer.
Simultaneously, Katara is hosting the seventh Qatar International Arts Festival, showcasing more than 500 artists from 83 countries in a dynamic fusion of art, sport and heritage. The festival includes international art exhibitions, artist-led interactive workshops, cultural evenings, an art conference, master classes and a live art fashion show. The two exhibitions together create a celebration of cultural exchange and artistic excellence during this special period of Arab Cup festivities.
Date: until Dec. 12
Location: Building 18, Hall 2, Katara Cultural Village
More details here.
3. Doha diary
Kadim Al Sahir, the Caesar of Arabic music, in concert. (Photo courtesy of Platinumlist)
- Kadim Al Sahir
The Caesar of Arabic Music, Kadim Al Sahir, brings his “Now and Then World Tour” to Qatar for a special performance at Al Mayassa Theater. With a career spanning over 40 years and hundreds of millions of records sold worldwide, Kadim has captivated audiences globally with his blend of romance, poetry and melody. Fans can look forward to hearing timeless hits including “Qoulee Ouhibbouka,” “Mali Khelek,” “Hal Endak Shak” and “Akrahouha” in a concert celebrating his legendary musical legacy.
Date: Dec. 13
Location: Al Mayassa Theater, QNCC
More information here.
- Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Ed Sheeran
Experience the enchanting world of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran in an intimate candlelight setting at the Museum of Islamic Art. Candlelight concerts offer a unique multisensory musical experience in stunning venues across Doha, transforming live music into something truly magical. This 60-minute performance features the greatest hits of two of the biggest artists, performed at the museum’s Western Courtyard.
Date: Dec. 11
Location: Museum of Islamic Art
More information here.
- Nassif Zeytoun Live in Doha
One of the Arab world’s most beloved superstars, Nassif Zeytoun, comes to Bagatelle Beach Club as part of the “Layali Al Arab” concert series. The Syrian icon brings his distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence to captivate audiences with an evening of unforgettable performances.
Date: Dec. 12
Location: Bagatelle Beach Club
More information here.
- Ziad Burji & Guy Manoukian Live in Doha
The spectacular grand finale of the “Layali Al Arab” series brings two Lebanese icons together for one extraordinary night at Bagatelle Beach Club. The powerful voice of Ziad Bourji and maestro Guy Manoukian unite for an unforgettable performance that celebrates the richness of Arabic music.
Date: Dec. 17
Location: Bagatelle Beach Club
More information here.
4. Book of the week: 'Qatar the Land of Sports and Events'
Over the last two decades, Qatar has invested strategically in three key assets for sustainable development: sports, events and education. The nation has hosted major international events, including the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East. This book by Dino Ruta, professor of practice of leadership and sport management at SDA Bocconi School of Management and scientific director of the FIFA Master, examines the socio-economic impact of Qatar’s major events and explores how the country leveraged these opportunities to build human capital and create a lasting legacy through infrastructure development. The narrative is enriched by interviews with key players involved in this transformation, offering an authentic account of best practices in education and events management.
5. View from Doha
Syria's #06 Khaled Kourdoghli (L) and Palestine's #11 Oday Dabbagh fight for the ball during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 group stage, Group A, football match between Syria and Palestine, at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS / AFP via Getty Images)
6. By the numbers
- Qatar ranked first among Arab countries in natural gas reserves and production for 2024, with 858.1 trillion cubic feet in reserves and 179.5 billion cubic meters in production, according to World Population Review.
- Qatar ranked first globally for its male population share, with men accounting for 71.52% of the population, according to WIONews (2025).