نقش موزه در معرفی هویت فرهنگی نو ظهور قطر (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
درجه علمی: نشریه علمی (وزارت علوم)
آرشیو
چکیده
در سال های اخیر فعالیت های فرهنگی در حوزه خلیج فارس باهدف هویت سازی و هویت یابیِ ملی رشد چشم گیری داشته است؛ به عبارتی ما با نهضتی تمدن ساز و تاریخ ساز در منطقه روبرو هستیم. این مقاله به تحلیل چگونگی استفاده دولت قطر از شیوه های دیپلماسی فرهنگی در سال های گذشته برای ارتقای جایگاه خود در خارج از کشور و تحکیم مشروعیت آن در داخل می پردازد. پژوهش حاضر با کاربست نظریه و روش تحلیل گفتمان لاکلا و موف، قصد دارد به دو مسأله و هدف دست یابد: نخست، شناسایی گفتمان های مسلط در فضای گفتمان فرهنگی "هویت نوظهور قطر" و دیگر نقش نهاد فرهنگی مانند موزه های تازه تأسیس قطر در برجسته سازی گفتمان های شناسایی شده. گردآوری داده ها به شیوه کتابخانه ای صورت گرفته است؛ تجزیه و تحلیل مبتنی بر متن ها و نمونه های هدفمند منتخب، مانند اسناد رسمی مکتوب، اظهارات مقامات دولتی، بیانیه های مطبوعاتی و بیانیه های مربوط به توسعه فرهنگی در قطر (شامل تجزیه وتحلیل سخنرانی های متصدیان موزه در خصوص چشم انداز و مأموریت موزه های جدید به عنوان بازیگران فعال در عرصه فرهنگ و سیاست) کدگذاری شده و سپس مورد تحلیل و تفسیر قرارگرفته است. نتایج پژوهش نشان می دهد دولت قطر از دیپلماسی فرهنگی و به طور استراتژیک از موزه ها برای تقویت هویت ملی، اعتباریابی در سطح بین المللی، خلق هویت منسجم در پیوند با دیگر سرزمین های اسلامی و برجسته سازی سبقه تاریخی در منطقه استفاده می کند.The Role of Museums in Introducing Qatar's Emerging Cultural-Artistic Identity
In recent years, cultural activities in the Persian Gulf region have significantly increased, aiming at nation-building and national identity formation. Qatar, one of the youngest countries in this region, established in 1868, has undertaken extensive efforts in this regard and undergone numerous transformations in a short period. The Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to enhance cultural diversity and preserve Qatar’s national heritage. This article analyzes the role of museums in shaping Qatar’s emerging cultural identity and their function as tools of cultural diplomacy. While recent studies have explored Qatar’s political efforts to establish itself as an active player in the region, the role of museums as active agents of cultural diplomacy in this country has remained under examined. This study seeks to address two main questions: First, what are the dominant discourses in the cultural discourse space of Qatar’s "emerging identity"? Second, what role do cultural institutions, such as Qatar’s newly established museums, play in highlighting these discourses?
This research employs Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse analysis theory and methodology to examine Qatar’s prevailing cultural discourses and the role of museums in reinforcing them. Data were collected through library research, and analyses were based on purposefully selected texts and samples, including official written documents, statements from government officials, press releases, and declarations related to cultural development in Qatar. These analyses included reviewing speeches by museum curators regarding the vision and mission of new museums as active players in the fields of culture and politics. Analyzing Qatar’s museums as cultural institutions is essential for two reasons: First, museums play a key role in preserving and presenting heritage, and analyzing their discourses aids in understanding how cultural and identity narratives are constructed. Second, this analysis can illuminate power relations within museums and how narratives are created. Ultimately, these analyses can provide insights into the role of museums in shaping Qatar’s culture and identity and evaluate the impact of cultural policies on presenting and preserving Qatar’s heritage.
The research findings indicate that the Qatari government utilizes cultural diplomacy, and strategically employs museums, to “strengthen national identity,” “highlight historical precedence in the region,” “gain international and global legitimacy,” and “create a cohesive (Islamic) identity linked to other Islamic territories.” Consequently, within the overarching discourse of the Qatar Islamic Art Museum, the study’s main findings are as follows:
Strengthening National Identity: The National Museum of Qatar was established to articulate national identity and represent Qatar’s evolving lifestyle. This museum, by showcasing Qatar’s history from the Neolithic period to the present, seeks to portray a cohesive and continuous identity. These efforts aim to forge a unique national identity and emphasize similarities in Qatari heritage. Thus, the idea of articulating a linear narrative suggesting technological progress and evolution throughout history has been implemented in Qatar’s national museums. Additionally, to foster national solidarity, highlighting “Islam” as the central node of national identity holds particular significance. The Qatari government, by supporting Islamic cultural and educational programs, has strengthened national solidarity and reproduced Islamic discourse.
Highlighting Historical Precedence in the Region: In Qatar, focusing on regional discourse has become a foreign policy priority, raising sensitivities about the country’s succession in the regional global order. Regional developments, paralleling globalization trends in Qatar, merit attention and examination. The Qatari government uses cultural projects to distinguish and elevate itself compared to its neighbors, particularly through the establishment of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, which displays artworks from the 7th to 19th centuries. These actions strategically contribute to Qatar’s cultural diplomacy and bolster its position as an active, forward-looking player in the region.
Gaining International and Global Legitimacy: Following Qatar’s independence in 1971 and rapid economic growth from oil and gas revenues, the country faced the challenge of preserving cultural identity amid modernity and globalization. In response, Qatar has pursued the construction of a “global identity” by establishing museums and hosting international exhibitions. Projects such as the “Sheikh Faisal Oriental Carpet Museum” and the “Museum of Islamic Art” not only preserve and present Qatar’s cultural heritage but also strive to introduce Qatar’s cultural heritage globally and establish international cultural connections. These efforts aim to balance national heritage and local traditions with modern changes and globalization.
Creating a Cohesive (Islamic) Identity: Qatar, through investments in cultural and educational sectors, has sought to reinforce its Islamic identity, particularly via newly established museums like the Museum of Islamic Art. These museums, by exhibiting Islamic artworks and linking Qatar’s history to global Islamic culture, aim to highlight Qatar’s Islamic identity. However, some critiques suggest that these museums are influenced by Western perspectives and do not fully represent Qatar’s Islamic identity. According to the museum’s website (prior to revision), the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha emphasized promoting knowledge and enjoyment of Islamic art rather than focusing on the religious aspects of Islam. Yet, in its current layout (post-revision), the museum’s website indicates an effort to simultaneously consider religious and secular discourses. The museum’s primary goal is to present Islamic culture as dynamic and promote shared global cultural values.
Given the growing trend of museum expansion in Qatar, which reflects the country’s efforts to present and preserve its cultural and historical identity, discourse analysis of museums can offer insights into how this expansion is perceived by various stakeholders. This study, focusing on policies related to presenting and preserving Qatar’s cultural heritage, seeks to illustrate how Qatar’s cultural identity narrative is articulated in the Middle East and within the broader context of Qatar’s transformations in the modern era. The findings suggest that museums, as effective tools of cultural diplomacy, contribute to creating a cohesive national identity, enhancing Qatar’s regional and global standing, and reinforcing its Islamic identity within the Islamic world. Analyzing the discourses present in museums provides a deeper understanding of how cultural narratives about Qatar’s identity and heritage are articulated. It can also offer valuable insights into how culture, identity, and power are constructed in Qatar and how museums shape these discourses.
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