I. M. Pei’s architectural legacy comes to Doha

Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.

On Thursday, the FIFA Arab Cup final takes center stage at Lusail Stadium, while thousands gather at the Boulevard for a celebration that defines the nation’s sporting passion. The same day, Qatar’s heritage comes alive across the Pearl Island, Gewan Island and Heenat Salma Farm, as the country honors its history through music, theater, traditional crafts and stories that connect each generation to the next. 

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1. Leading the week: ‘I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture’

Architect I. M. Pei outside the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1979. (Photo courtesy of Ted Dully/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The architect who reshaped the world’s most iconic museums and cultural institutions is now in Doha. I. M. Pei, the legendary Chinese-American designer behind the Museum of Islamic Art and the modernized Louvre in Paris, is the subject of a major retrospective at Al Riwaq.

“I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture” marks the second stop of a global tour that already drew over 225,000 visitors in Hong Kong and another 163,000 in Shanghai, where the exhibition’s run was extended due to overwhelming interest. Now it comes to Qatar, organized by Qatar Museums in collaboration with Hong Kong-based M+, one of Asia’s leading contemporary art institutions.

The exhibition spans Pei’s seven-decade career through six interconnected themes: his upbringing, his approach to designing cities, his engagement with art, his client relationships, his masterful use of geometry, materials and structure, and his deep reflection on the past. Original drawings, sketches, architectural models and rarely seen archival materials tell the story of how he transformed cities across the world.

What makes this presentation distinctive is that it includes newly commissioned photographs of 11 of Pei’s completed projects shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside five new models of both built and unrealized designs. Visitors will encounter the full scope of his thinking, from early sketches to monumental structures that have become landmarks in their own right.

For those familiar with Doha’s cultural landscape, the Museum of Islamic Art stands as Pei’s most visible legacy here. But this exhibition goes deeper, exploring how he believed architecture could honor both regional histories and global movements, and how buildings must respond thoughtfully to their surroundings. It’s a meditation on architecture as inseparable from life itself.

Date: Until Feb. 14, 2026

Location: Qatar Museums Gallery, Al Riwaq

Find more information here.

2. Word on the street: Doha Tattoo

 Members of the ceremonial honor guard lead a cultural parade. (Photo courtesy of Doha Tattoo website)

When the Irish Guards take the stage at Katara Cultural Village this week, you’ll understand why military tattoos have captivated audiences for centuries. There’s something about the precision of 20 international military bands marching in synchronized formation, backed by fireworks and drone light shows, that reminds you why live spectacle still matters.

Qatar will welcome the first edition of the Doha International Music & Marching Festival, organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Visit Qatar. The four-day festival features world-class musical performances and visual spectacles, with each evening accompanied by spectacular fireworks and synchronized drone displays.

The festival brings together distinguished bands from seven countries, including the Irish Guards and Royal Air Force Music Services from the United Kingdom, the United States Air Force Honor Guard, the Ottoman Mehter Band from Turkey, and military ensembles from Jordan, Oman and Kazakhstan. Qatari participation features the Amiri Guard, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and military bands from the ministries of Defense and Interior.

Beyond the main stage performances, The Village offers a family-friendly space positioned adjacent to the festival venue, featuring F&B providers, dedicated kiosks for the Police Academy, Lekhwiya, Civil Defense and merchandise, alongside a Ministry of Culture tent and shaded seating. Visitors can enjoy varied entertainment including neon stilt walkers, jugglers, local musicians, caricature artists, calligraphers, live sketch artists, face painting, glitter tattoos for children and balloon twisting.

Date: Until Dec. 20

Location: Katara Cultural Village

Find more details here.

3. Doha diary

Morocco players celebrate a goal during their match against Saudi Arabia at the FIFA Arab Cup 2025. (Photo courtesy of FIFA Arab Cup)

• FIFA Arab Cup 2025 Finals

The tournament reaches its climax as Morocco will face Jordan in the championship match at Lusail Stadium. The stadium will come alive with celebrations before and after the match, with festivities continuing at the Boulevard where fans will gather to welcome the players’ bus and celebrate the crowning of the Arab Cup champions.

Date: Dec. 18

Location: Lusail Stadium

Find more information here.

• National Day Fair at Heenat Salma Farm

Culture, creativity and nature blend together at this National Day celebration featuring live music, cultural dialogues, interactive workshops, film screenings and family activities. The farm hosts traditional Qatari musicians performing alongside family-friendly theater bringing heritage stories to life. Chef Noora Al Thawadi offers intimate farm-to-table dining experiences. Guest speakers lead cultural dialogues exploring Qatari heritage and community, while interactive workshops and a marketplace with crafts and food remain available throughout the celebration.

Date: Until Dec. 20

Location: Heenat Salma Farm

Find more information here.

• Qatar National Day at The Pearl Island, Gewan Island & AlHazm

The Pearl Island and Gewan Island come alive with Qatar’s National Day celebrations showcasing the nation’s heritage and unity. Patriotic decor transforms both islands while cultural shows and roaming performers entertain visitors throughout the day. Family activities bring people together to commemorate Qatar’s history and values, creating memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Date: Dec. 18

Location: The Pearl Island & Gewan Island

Find more information here.

• 241 Martyrs exhibition

Msheireb Museums presents an outdoor installation commemorating 241 children from Gaza who lost their lives. The exhibition features 241 illuminated light boxes, each displaying a photograph of a child alongside their hopes and aspirations. Videos, designs and curated materials accompany the light boxes, creating a space for visitors to connect with these stories and reflect.

Date: Until Dec. 18

Location: Msheireb Museums

Find more information here.