On display from March 28, 2013 to June 30, 2013 at ALRIWAQ DOHA exhibition space, the OLYMPICS – Past & Present exhibition includes two different sections highlighting ancient Olympia and the modern Olympic Games. Organised in partnership with ExxonMobil Qatar, the exhibition is the first of its kind to showcase a large number of objects from the collections of the Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum and QMA’s Media Collections. Additional pieces from around the world including Greece, France, Germany and Italy complement the exhibit.
“For the first time, an exhibition showcases the cultural history of the ancient and modern Olympics on such a scale, not to mention a special section on Qatar’s participation in the world-class event,” said Dr. Christian Wacker, Director of the Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum. “ExxonMobil has shown its dedication to sports in Qatar in various local events and we welcome the opportunity to cooperate with such a committed partner.”
“Partnering with the Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum to organise the Olympics – Past & Present exhibition in Doha provides a great opportunity to emphasise both tradition and sports - two critical values shared by the State of Qatar and ExxonMobil,” said Alistair Routledge, Vice President of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. “I am confident that patrons of the exhibition will enjoy their journey through 2700 years of Olympic history – a legacy celebrated by tradition and camaraderie.”
The ancient section of the exhibition, Olympia: Myth – Cult – Games, takes visitors on a journey through the history of ancient Olympia with more than 600 original objects from Greece and international museums.Through this section, visitors can explore the sanctuary of Olympia, its role in ancient Greece, find out more about the Greek culture and the festivals held in Olympia. They are invited to discover the program of the ancient Games and practice some contemporary disciplines. These galleries showcase statues, vases, and bronzes depicting athletes and athletic activities as well as models of Olympia which illustrate the sequence of events.
The modern part, Olympics: Values – Competitions – Mega Events, sheds a light on the rediscovery of Antiquity during the Renaissance, leading to the re-establishment of the Olympic Games in the 19th century and their development to the present.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a comprehensive display of all the torches, posters, mascots, medals, programs and tickets from the last 48 Winter and Summer Olympic Games. This section of the OLYMPICS – Past & Present exhibition illustrates values and rituals of the Olympics promoting peace and personal achievements, as well as the broader context of this Mega Event and its interrelationship with politics, environment, economics, social issues and doping. The exhibition showcases original films and images from all the Olympic Games and highlights the participation of Qatari athletes in these Games through a series of interviews with previous and current Qatari Olympians and Paralympians.
An extensive three-month program including gallery lectures, a theatre performance, a film festival as well as a family fun day will complement the exhibition. The gallery lectures will cover topics related to the ancient and modern Olympic Games. Amongst the highlights is a lecture by Qatari athletes Nada Wafa Arkaji and Ibrahim Ismail, who will speak about their experiences becoming Olympic athletes. The classical Greek play 'Medea' by Euripides will be performed on April 11, 12 and 13, 2013 at the exhibition venue. Directed by Professor Ann Woodworth of Northwestern University in Qatar with an international cast, the play will take the audience on a universal and timeless journey of a woman seeking justice. The family day on April 19 offers fun activities and competitions for all ages.
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