QATAR BRINGS EXPANSIVE CULTURAL PROGRAMMING TO ART BASEL PARIS 2026
(MENAFN- MENAFNEditorial) Paris, 19 October 2026 – Art Basel Qatar partners—Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a major investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle, and QC+, a cultural strategy and experience group specialising in cultural commerce—have announced a programme taking place during Art Basel Paris 2026. Anchored by the Qatar Lounge, presented with Qatar Airways at the Grand Palais, the activations will bring together art, culture, fashion, food and sport, showcasing Qatar’s creative energy, global outlook and distinctive cultural identity while building momentum towards the second edition of Art Basel Qatar in 2027.
Qatar’s presence will extend from the Grand Palais into the city through collaborations with renowned Qatari chef Noof Al Marri, acclaimed Doha- and Paris-based designer Yasmin Mansour, and French artist Nadjib Ben Ali. The programme will also bring regional and international creative voices into conversation, with Qatar Creates Talks collaborating with Art Basel Talks on a conversation featuring Alexandre de Betak and Massimiliano Gioni, the Toby Devan Lewis Director of the New Museum in New York.
Kirstin Mearns, CEO of QC+, said, “Art Basel Paris gives us an opportunity to bring art and sport into the same conversation on the global stage. Through these activations, we are showcasing exceptional creative talent from Qatar and the wider region while creating new connections with international audiences. This programme reflects the ambition behind our partnership with Art Basel and the creative exchange we want to continue building towards Art Basel Qatar in 2027.”
Qatar Lounge at Art Basel Paris
Open to all Art Basel attendees, the Qatar Lounge will provide a calm and welcoming environment for fair visitors. Its design draws inspiration from Al Khous, the traditional craft of palm-frond weaving, translating elements of Qatari heritage into a contemporary setting. The space is designed with a natural palette of sand, straw, pale gold and bone, paired with mineral finishes and filtered light, evoking the warmth and shade of a palm oasis.
The Qatar Lounge will also feature an exclusive culinary concept by Qatari Chef Noof Al Marri, renowned for using gastronomy as a cross-cultural bridge, transforming cherished dishes from her childhood into inventive dishes for a global audience. Reimagining regag, a traditional Qatari flatbread, Chef Noof has developed a menu inspired by the character of Art Basel’s five host cities. Food offerings will include regag served with:
•Halwa pistachio, rose water, saffron (Doha)
•Shrimp sesame oil, toasted sesame, avocado purée (Hong Kong)
•Emmental cheese, caramelized onion, thyme (Basel)
•Brie cheese, caramelized walnuts, honey (Paris)
•Spiced grilled chicken, mango salsa, mozzarella (Miami Beach)
An additional menu item, Regag Premium, will be served with caviar beluga and camembert di bufala. Traditional karak tea, karkade, and black loomi will also be served.
Artist Collaborations
Doha- and Paris-based fashion designer Yasmin Mansour, known for her sculptural silhouettes, architectural approach, material experimentation and focus on sustainability, has been commissioned to create a bespoke, limited-edition line of objects featuring a tote bag, pouch, and notebook. Mansour also designed the Qatar Lounge uniforms, which were inspired by key elements of Qatari heritage: the flowing lines of the bedouin tent, the falcon's poise and the oryx's calm strength.
Paris-based artist Nadjib Ben Ali has created an original work for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) entitled “Et on dansera” (“And We Will Dance”), inspired by the collective harmony that drives the team. The work will be featured on an official fair poster displayed across major metro stations in Paris.
Ben Ali will be at the Qatar Lounge on 22 October for a jersey signing, with the UEFA Champions League trophy also on view.
Conversations and Cultural Exchange
The week will also feature public talks and conversations bringing together artists and cultural voices from the region and around the world. On 22 October at 4:45 PM, as part of Art Basel’s main talks programme and presented in partnership with Qatar Creates Talks, artist Alexandre de Betak will join New Museum Director Massimiliano Gioni for a conversation exploring design and scenography as artistic practices.
Qatar’s presence will extend from the Grand Palais into the city through collaborations with renowned Qatari chef Noof Al Marri, acclaimed Doha- and Paris-based designer Yasmin Mansour, and French artist Nadjib Ben Ali. The programme will also bring regional and international creative voices into conversation, with Qatar Creates Talks collaborating with Art Basel Talks on a conversation featuring Alexandre de Betak and Massimiliano Gioni, the Toby Devan Lewis Director of the New Museum in New York.
Kirstin Mearns, CEO of QC+, said, “Art Basel Paris gives us an opportunity to bring art and sport into the same conversation on the global stage. Through these activations, we are showcasing exceptional creative talent from Qatar and the wider region while creating new connections with international audiences. This programme reflects the ambition behind our partnership with Art Basel and the creative exchange we want to continue building towards Art Basel Qatar in 2027.”
Qatar Lounge at Art Basel Paris
Open to all Art Basel attendees, the Qatar Lounge will provide a calm and welcoming environment for fair visitors. Its design draws inspiration from Al Khous, the traditional craft of palm-frond weaving, translating elements of Qatari heritage into a contemporary setting. The space is designed with a natural palette of sand, straw, pale gold and bone, paired with mineral finishes and filtered light, evoking the warmth and shade of a palm oasis.
The Qatar Lounge will also feature an exclusive culinary concept by Qatari Chef Noof Al Marri, renowned for using gastronomy as a cross-cultural bridge, transforming cherished dishes from her childhood into inventive dishes for a global audience. Reimagining regag, a traditional Qatari flatbread, Chef Noof has developed a menu inspired by the character of Art Basel’s five host cities. Food offerings will include regag served with:
•Halwa pistachio, rose water, saffron (Doha)
•Shrimp sesame oil, toasted sesame, avocado purée (Hong Kong)
•Emmental cheese, caramelized onion, thyme (Basel)
•Brie cheese, caramelized walnuts, honey (Paris)
•Spiced grilled chicken, mango salsa, mozzarella (Miami Beach)
An additional menu item, Regag Premium, will be served with caviar beluga and camembert di bufala. Traditional karak tea, karkade, and black loomi will also be served.
Artist Collaborations
Doha- and Paris-based fashion designer Yasmin Mansour, known for her sculptural silhouettes, architectural approach, material experimentation and focus on sustainability, has been commissioned to create a bespoke, limited-edition line of objects featuring a tote bag, pouch, and notebook. Mansour also designed the Qatar Lounge uniforms, which were inspired by key elements of Qatari heritage: the flowing lines of the bedouin tent, the falcon's poise and the oryx's calm strength.
Paris-based artist Nadjib Ben Ali has created an original work for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) entitled “Et on dansera” (“And We Will Dance”), inspired by the collective harmony that drives the team. The work will be featured on an official fair poster displayed across major metro stations in Paris.
Ben Ali will be at the Qatar Lounge on 22 October for a jersey signing, with the UEFA Champions League trophy also on view.
Conversations and Cultural Exchange
The week will also feature public talks and conversations bringing together artists and cultural voices from the region and around the world. On 22 October at 4:45 PM, as part of Art Basel’s main talks programme and presented in partnership with Qatar Creates Talks, artist Alexandre de Betak will join New Museum Director Massimiliano Gioni for a conversation exploring design and scenography as artistic practices.
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