We created a concept where each element of the stage design intertwined history and culture. At the heart of the stage concept for The Lost Chapter of Kelileh & Demneh show was the idea of unity between the East and Asia. Sand dunes symbolized the Arab world, while pink petals paid homage to the magnolia and sakura, symbols of Asia.

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A key design feature was the use of shell-shaped screens. This choice was deliberate: they served as a bridge to the past, reminiscent of the times when pearl diving was the main industry of Qatar itself. The show was designed to look beautiful from any point in the stadium, not just from one side of the stands. Five screens enabled a 360-degree view, corresponding to the number of regional federations that make up the AFC.

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For each of the 24 national teams participating in the cup, a mascot was chosen — an animal representing the respective country. These images were brought to life by artists in costumes of anthropomorphic animals. For instance, the symbol for Qatar was the Arabian oryx, a saber-horned antelope playing a crucial role in the local ecosystem. China was represented by the panda, often mentioned in Chinese literature and art and part of the country’s natural heritage. Indonesia’s symbol was the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard species on the planet, only found in the wild there.

The content on the screens matched the plot of the musical Kelileh & Demneh, performed by the actors on stage. The narrative focuses on the main character’s journey to accept his flaws alongside his virtues, aided by magical animals. We turned this self-acceptance into an allegory, using imagery from the song lyrics. The content did not just copy what happened on stage but metaphorically showed the story. For example, the protagonist’s flaws were depicted through abstract, fluid visuals at the start. In another scene, a person’s face and body shone in white light, suggesting a soul. When the song’s lyrics mention, «We are all colored paints in the sky,» this image is presented on screens through clouds with a colorful rainbow fracture. A magical character emerges from this scene, signaling the main character to follow.