Commemorating the greatness of the nation, Galeries Lafayette Doha celebrated Qatar National Day (QND) from December 1 to 18, 2020. The Department Store was all dressed up in the Qatari colors, emanating the pride that the day entails.
The highlight of the celebrations were the store windows designed exclusively in collaboration with Qatari artist Aisha Al-Thani. A lover of traditional Arabic calligraphy, Aisha loves presenting culture through her designs. Her exclusive calligraphy for Galeries Lafayette Doha, in striking gold and maroon, depicted the QND slogans through the years.
The calligraphy art merged all the words into one larger artwork representing the artist’s vision of the unity of people in Qatar. Through her creativity, Aisha told a wonderful story of the founding fathers and how their everlasting principles and values still resonate to this day.
Speaking about the exhibit, Aisha said: “This art of mine represents my love for my country, Qatar. It’s about family, home and solidarity. I think Galeries Lafayette Doha has done a beautiful job in portraying the emotions this day involves. From the choice of colors, which are culturally relevant, to the idea of the QND slogans timeline – were all very well thought through. It was the perfect theme to depict my art.
“It is very gratifying to know that I have done it to celebrate my country. Also, it is interesting and fun seeing my ‘classical’ form of calligraphy merged as an art form with fashion.”
The theme of the celebrations was also reflected in exclusive dishes created for the occasion at the restaurants and cafes in Galeries Lafayette Doha. Limited-edition desserts and a savory item was carefully designed and include traditional ingredients from Qatar and the region.
This fusion of the right, delectable ingredients was reflective of the vibrant Qatari culture. Each dish was a gastronomical delight and equally satisfying for the eye and soul.
As part of the celebrations, on December 16, Galeries Lafayette Doha hosted the exclusive launch of a new fragrance from the brand of Qatari influencer Abdulla Al-Abdulla. The fragrance was created especially for Qatar National Day and added to the spirit of the occasion.
Kevin Gerard Pender, General Manager of Galeries Lafayette Doha, said: “We have always taken pride in the Qatari heritage and Qatar National Day is one of the most celebrated occasions in our store. Our celebrations reflect our pride in our identity and embody the nation’s values. Our store, windows and special items at our F&B outlets have all been planned and designed to celebrate this great nation. The collaboration with Aisha Al-Thani and Abdulla Al-Abdulla not only reinforce Galeries Lafayette’s commitment to support and highlight local talents but also creates a unique experience – which is intrinsically Qatari – for our clients.”
