Qatar to Create Permanent National Pavilion in Venice’s Giardini

Qatar is set to be the first country in three decades to construct a permanent national pavilion on the leafy grounds of Giardini, one of the Venice Biennale’s main exhibition venues. Located near the park’s entrance and adjacent to the James Stirling-designed Book Pavilion, the structure will be the 30th national pavilion in the historic garden. As of yet, the architect and exact opening dates have not been revealed.

The announcement follows the signing of a cooperation protocol between Qatar Museums and the Municipality of Venice in July 2024, in which both parties agreed to fortify socioeconomic and cultural relations. 

Qatar will begin to activate the pavilion during the 19th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition (May 10–Nov 23) with a new, large-scale installation by Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari. Entitled Community Centre (2025), the work will be part of the exhibition “Beyti Beytak. My home is your home. La mia casa è la tua casa.” organized by Qatar Museums’ future Art Mill Museum. 

Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani—chairperson of Qatar Museums and commissioner of the Qatar Pavilion—said in a press release: “La Biennale di Venezia is the world’s preeminent gathering in art and architecture. . . . Qatar is proud to take its place in this international assembly, advancing our role as a global leader in cultural diplomacy and providing an unparalleled platform for . . . the creative talent of our nation and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region.”

Annette Meier is an editorial assistant at ArtAsiaPacific.

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