Doha, October 31 (QNA) - Qatar Museums (QM) announced Thursday the exhibition Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave, a project that examines rural regions worldwide.

The exhibition is presented jointly by the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) and Qatar Preparatory School (QPS), in collaboration with Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), Hassad Food and Kahramaa. It opened on Oct. 29, 2025 and will be on view through June 30, 2026.

The show is co-curated by architects Rem Koolhaas and Samir Bantal with AMO, the research studio of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), with the involvement of more than 100 international collaborators.

HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani, the NMoQ Director, said, "The National Museum of Qatar is proud to present this deeply informative, engaging, and innovative exhibition created by one of the world's most brilliant studios for architecture and research.

"As a museum that explores the traditions rooted in Qatar's desert and sea and looks ahead to extraordinary new possibilities on our nation's horizon, we are

excited to welcome our audiences to Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave."

Meanwhile, Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD stated, "At the Qatar Fund for Development, our efforts are guided by the fundamental principle that sustainable development must place people and communities at its very center.

"The Countryside Exhibition embodies this principle, serving as a narrative platform that brings to life stories of resilience, innovation, and transformation from the world's rural heartlands.

"In partnership with Qatar Museums and AMO, we proudly showcase the tangible impacts achieved together with partners like UNDP and the Gates Foundation, underscoring the urgent need for the collective action required to address intertwined global challenges: food security, climate adaptation, and inclusive growth.

"QFFD remains steadfast in its commitment to invest in scalable, sustainable solutions that empower rural communities and enhance livelihoods, enabling them to thrive as vital contributors to global stability and shared prosperity."

Also commenting on the event, Dr. Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, Director of the Public Relations and Communication Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, affirmed that the Ministry's cooperation in organizing the exhibition reflects its firm commitment to achieving environmental sustainability and supporting national initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources, in alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision.

Eng. Ali Hilal Al Kuwari, Hassad Food CEO, said: "We are pleased at Hassad Food to take part in and sponsor the Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave exhibition, which highlights the significance of the countryside and sustainable production, reflecting Qatar’s vision of achieving balance between development and identity.

"Our participation in this distinguished cultural exhibition reaffirms our commitment as a national partner in supporting the State’s efforts to strengthen food security, enhance the efficiency of food supply chains, and empower the private sector to drive innovation and sustainable production."

The exhibition acts as a school - transforming Qatar Preparatory School's classrooms into laboratories of research, speculation, and dialogue. Conceived as work in progress rather than a static display. (QNA)