The National Museum of Qatar, which is nearing its completion, will feature 14 galleries including 12 permanent and two temporary ones and will be choke-filled with state-of-the-art technology.

The museum, once completed in December 2018, will transform into a thriving hub for the public, students and museum professionals, reported Gulf Times.

The museum, which has been inspired by the shape of desert roses found in Qatar, was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and is one of the most ambitious museum projects anywhere in the world. 

“The two large temporary galleries will be used either for exhibitions that are locally done or in co-operation with any other entity that would like to come and have their exhibitions with us,” Qatar Museum’s chief strategic planning officer Khalid Al Ibrahim told reporters. 

The vast collection of objects in the museum will speak about Bedouin and modern Qatari life and the their strong connection to the sea and the desert, according to The Peninsula.

The museum will also feature a caravanserai courtyard, a 220-seat auditorium, a desert rose gallery, two gift shops, heritage research centre and two restoration/conservation laboratories in addition to a landscaped park with playground facilities, two outdoor coffee shops, a cafe and facilities for school groups and special guests.
At the centre of the National Museum is Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace and the first museum of Qatar which will be visible from the Corniche.
“In the heart of the National Museum is the old palace and museum to show a clear connect between where we’ve been and where we’re going and that we’re proud of our past and looking forward to our future,” said Al Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, enthusiasm among the local population to see the museum before its opening date is quite strong. Almost 1,400 people have already signed up to see the museum well ahead of its December 2018 opening date.

The public tours are open to Culture Pass members who sign up online. Residents can sign up for QM’s Culture Pass programme by visiting its website, http://www.qm.org.qa/en/culturepass

Picture courtesy: The Peninsula