Qatar- Suleyman the Magnificent exhibition opens at Katara

9/17/2015 1:23:06 AM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)Hyper-realistic silicone sculptures of Kanuni Sultan Suleyman and Hurrem Sultan at the exhibition at QM Gallery Katara. Salim Matramkot

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

DOHA: Visitors to Katara can relive the glory of the Ottoman era as they encounter lifelike sculptures of historical figures at the ‘Magnificent Century: The Exhibition’ which opened yesterday at Qatar Museums (QM)Gallery Building No. 10.

The hyper-realistic silicone sculptures depicting Kanuni Sultan Suleyman — the longest reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire — and wife Hurrem Sultan — a slave girl who became sultana — are displayed at the expo alongside figures including Malkocoglu Bali Bey Mahidevran Sultan and Pargali Ibrahim Pasa.

The expo is based on the internationally acclaimed Turkish historical television series which has reached over 200 million viewers in more than 54 countries since it premiered in 2011.

This is the first time the exhibition has travelled out of Istanbul and been brought to Doha as part of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture celebrations said Selen Tamer Lakay Vice-President Istanbul Entertainment Group.

“One of the unique features of the exhibition is it makes use of different senses of visitors to experience this important period in history” Lakay told the media during yesterday’s preview.

The expo takes visitors on a journey to sections of the palace including the Harem and the Hammam designed elaborately and scented with fragrances concocted based on how locations in the palace smelled like in the 1500s.

“The costumes jewellery carpets and wallpaper were designed true to the era. We have worked with professors who had access to Ottoman archives” she explained.

For fans of the series the expo is a throwback to an important period history and an up close and personal look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating iconic props and costumes that appeared throughout the series on Suleyman the Magnificent.

Safiya Al Hajari Director Office of Strategic Cultural Relations said “QM is delighted to be hosting such an important expo that has educated millions of people on the historic and cultural significance of the Ottoman Empire as part of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.”

A gift shop with merchandise inspired by the series is another feature in the 600sqm expo area. Visitors can buy scents prayer beads abayas jewellery and accessories as souvenir. Actors from the series attended the opening of the expo which runs until December 12.

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