Internationally acclaimed collection to become highlight of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture

Following its unprecedented success as part of the Qatar Japan, Qatar UK and Qatar Brazil Years of Culture, the internationally-acclaimed exhibition Pearls:Jewels from the Sea today launched in Istanbul, Turkey, as one of the highlights of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.

Pearls presents the history and legend, mythology and meaning of pearls from Qatar and around the world. Encompassing more than 100 diverse pieces of jewellery from the Gulf, Europe and Asia, the collection showcases pearls, shells, tiaras, lockets, brooches and necklaces – including several of European royal provenance – and provides visitors with a rare opportunity to see one of the finest collections of pearl jewellery in the world.

The Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture, held under the patronage of Qatar Museums’ Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is a year-long cultural exchange programme dedicated to connecting people in the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey through culture, community, and sport.

The programme, developed in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage in Qatar, aims to celebrate, strengthen and enhance cultural relationships and mutual understanding between Turkey and Qatar, and to build on the long, shared history of cultural and diplomatic relations between both countries.

Commenting on the exhibition, the curator of the exhibition Dr. Hubert Bari said: “Pearls are a crucial part of Qatar’s heritage and an important feature of much Ottoman jewellery. Bringing Pearls to Istanbul as part of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture feels like a natural way to celebrate the warm friendship and spirit of collaboration and partnership that exists between these two countries.”

Also commenting on the exhibition, Sefa Saglam from Qatar Museums said: “The magic of this exhibition is that it celebrates a wide array of stunning and important objects of historical interest to both countries. We’re proud of the long, shared history of cultural and diplomatic relations between Qatar and Turkey and excited by the opportunity to build upon this. Pearls is a real highlight of what has been a hugely successful Year of Culture programme to date, helping to promote cultural exchange and deepening understanding between our countries’ cultural institutions, educators, government bodies, businesses and people.”

The exhibition celebrates a wide array of stunning and important objects of historical interest to both countries, and will help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Qatar’s long history of influence around the world, as well as help develop engaged cultural audiences and creators. Pearls reflects Qatar Museums’ focus on art, creativity and heritage, connecting cultures and promoting mutual understanding. This is in alignment with Qatar Museums’ vision of sharing its great collections with audiences around the world.

Pearls: Jewels from the Sea is open from 14 October 2015 to 10 January 2016 at the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts in Istanbul, Turkey.

Exxon Mobil Qatar is the official Platinum Sponsor of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture, while W Doha Hotel & residences is the Hospitality Sponsor and Qatar Airways is the Official Airline.

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