An event celebrating the legacy of the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish took place on September 27 at Bin Jelmooh House in Doha, Qatar. Jointly organised by Msheireb Museums, the French Institute of Qatar, and the French Embassy in Qatar, the evening combined literature, cinema, and cultural dialogue to honour Darwish’s enduring influence.

The event was initiated by the Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute) and the Centre Pompidou, aiming to explore themes central to Darwish's poetry, including identity, displacement, borders, and belonging. A key feature was the screening of "An Orange from Jaffa," a 27-minute short film directed by Palestinian filmmaker Mohammed al-Mughanni. The film offers a contemporary cinematic interpretation of the complex issues Darwish addressed in his work, bringing the poet’s themes into a modern context.

Abdulla al-Naama, general manager of Msheireb Museums, highlighted the role of poetry in preserving memory and fostering connections across cultures and generations. He emphasized that the event was designed to create a space where Darwish’s poetry could be revisited alongside contemporary artistic forms, facilitating dialogue about identity, belonging, and storytelling. Al-Naama noted that the initiative aligns with Msheireb Museums’ broader mission to promote diverse cultural perspectives and engage audiences through literature and the arts.

Following the film screening, a panel discussion featured an artist and several academics specializing in Arabic language, literature, and cinema. The panelists examined how Darwish’s legacy informed the short film and discussed the ability of poetry and cinema to illuminate experiences of exile, displacement, homeland, and belonging. The event sought to demonstrate the ongoing relevance of these themes and the arts' role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

French Ambassador Arnaud Pescheux underscored the significance of celebrating Mahmoud Darwish’s work during the global Poetry Day initiative led by the Centre Pompidou and the Institut du Monde Arabe. He remarked on Darwish’s status as a poet of exile who found refuge in Paris, where his influence extended among French artists and beyond.

Firat Oruc, professor of culture and politics at Georgetown University in Qatar, described Darwish’s poetry as both deeply tied to specific historical contexts and universally resonant. Oruc highlighted Poetry Day’s importance in fostering cultural dialogue and encouraging reflection on identity, memory, and shared human experiences.

Through this collaborative event, Msheireb Museums, the French Institute of Qatar, and the French Embassy in Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to fostering cultural dialogue by bridging heritage with contemporary creative expression and inviting audiences to engage with timeless and cross-cultural ideas.