Qatar has mapped out its cultural calendar for the rest of the decade. The Years of Culture initiative, run under the chairmanship of Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has confirmed its partner countries through 2030: Egypt and Greece in 2027, Italy in 2028, the Netherlands and Switzerland in 2029, and Portugal and Spain in 2030.
Launched in 2012, the programme dedicates a year to deepening ties with one country at a time through exhibitions, festivals, music, design, food, sport and education exchanges. Since 2025 it has shifted to a dual-partner format — Argentina and Chile shared 2025, Canada and Mexico take 2026 — and that model continues going forward.
A few dates stand out for travellers. The 2027 Egypt and Greece year kicks off early, with Qatar serving as Guest of Honour at the Cairo International Book Fair in January 2027. The Italy year in 2028 comes with a significant architectural milestone: Qatar will open a permanent national pavilion in Venice's historic Giardini della Biennale, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh. It will be the first new permanent pavilion built in the Giardini in 30 years, and only the third in half a century — a good reason to time a Venice Biennale trip around its debut.
There's a pattern worth noting in the later picks too. The 2030 partnership with Portugal and Spain continues the initiative's habit of teaming up with FIFA World Cup host nations, following the 2026 tournament in Canada and Mexico. Expect football-themed programming alongside the usual art and heritage events.
For Qatar itself, the years bring a rolling schedule of exhibitions, artist residencies, academic exchanges and public events in Doha and beyond, co-produced with embassies, museums and cultural institutions on both sides. Programming typically starts before each official year begins and keeps running after it ends, so there's usually something on even outside the headline dates.
Why should holidaymakers care? If you're planning a trip to Doha — increasingly a stopover destination thanks to Qatar Airways' hub — these years are when the city's museums and galleries put on their richest international programming. Conversely, if Doha isn't on your list, the initiative works in reverse: expect Qatar-backed exhibitions and events in Cairo, Venice, Amsterdam, Zurich, Lisbon and Madrid over the next five years, adding an unexpected layer to trips you were already taking.
