By Paloma Haschke
3.30 – 5pm
Museum of Islamic Arts
Created in November 2008, the Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA) has been designed by the Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei inspired by the Ibn Tulun mosque of Cairo. The building has five floors and hosts permanent and temporary exhibits.
The first floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions from all over the world and not necessarily related to Islamic arts. Islamic arts permanent collections are located on the second and third floors with objects and paintings coming from different countries, continents and times.
5.30 – 7pm
Cultural Village of “Katara”
Launched in 2002, this 1 million square meters project has already cost 1 billion dollars to the Qatari government and is expected to be finished in 2018. Katara is the old name of Qatar. The village’s construction is going to be realized through five phases.
– the infrastructure
– the cultural village (including a falcon hospital for the birds used during traditional shows)
– the commercial plaza
– the villa areas (units will not be for sale or to rent, they will be free of charge for up to 250 international celebrities and their family, working or spending holidays in Qatar)
– the “Minaret Center” with a mosque and a convention center but this last phase is still a proposal.
There is also going to be a two kilometer seafront boardwalk with restaurant offering refined international cuisine.
7.30 – 9.30pm
Diner at the Diplomatic Club
