Poland in Qatar

Count Wacław Seweryn Rzewuski was a Polish nobleman, a fluent speaker of Arabic and enthusiast of the Orient. Between 1818 and 1820 he was exploring the deserts of the Middle East travelling from Aleppo into the Arab Peninsula, showing particular interest in the life and traditions of Bedouins. During his journey Count Rzewuski was admitted to 13 tribes and reputed to have received the title of “emir".  As a result of his journey he wrote a magnificent manuscript titled Sur les chevaux orientaux et provenants des races orientales (Concerning the Horses of the Orient and Those Originating from Oriental Breeds) which contains more than 400 full-color drawings, recording the culture and customs of Bedouins at the beginning of 19^th century, including precise descriptions of the Arabian horse.

In 2012 the Polish National Library, on the request of the Qatar Museums Authority, undertook the preparation of a scientific edition of the manuscript. By 2018 the five-volume work was translated into Polish and English. It was enriched by a compilation of essays, ranging in topics from history, Arabic studies, art history to literary studies. The publication was promoted for the first time during the 29^th Doha International Book Fair, in the presence of the undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mr. Paweł Lewandowski and the Minister of Culture and Sport of the State of Qatar H.E. Mr. Salah Bin Ghanem Al Ali. It won many international awards and recognitions.

The exhibition can be viewed until February 6 in building no 19, gallery no 2.