"Esports - a game changer" - Worlds first esports exhibition opens in Paris
A project that is very special to us opened its doors on the 23rd of July in Paris, France. The first ever esports exhibition made possible by Qatar Museums and the Qatar Olympic sports museum was planned and curated over the past 18 months and is now finally ready for the world. The exhibition, set to coincide with the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is the first of its kind, examining the journey of esports from its niche origins to its current status as a celebrated global phenomenon. This unique exhibition also addresses the socio-cultural challenges facing esports and explores its future trajectory.
Visitors to the Paris-based exhibition will experience a seamless integration of digital kiosks and portals within an inspiring and immersive design. Structured into four distinct sections, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the esports scene:
What is esports: This section delves into the relationship between esports, gaming, and traditional sports. It also covers the organizational and economic aspects behind the esports industry, offering insights into how this rapidly growing sector operates.
History of esports: Tracing the inception of esports from early devices, games, and events, this section showcases the growth of international structures and titles, leading to esports’ breakthrough into mainstream culture.
We are esports: Celebrating the accessibility of esports, this section highlights how anyone can ascend to stardom through social media, forge a unique identity, and engage in a variety of esports-related hobbies.
Future of esports: This forward-looking section contemplates the societal, educational, recreational, and occupational implications of esports, envisioning its future role in the gaming landscape.
The project under the name “Esports – a game changer” will stay in Paris until the 8th of September at 5 Boulevard Diderot, Paris. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm and entry is free.
The exhibition is curated by Dr. Christian Wacker, Deputy Director of Exhibitions at Qatar Museums, in collaboration with esports lecturers and entrepreneurs Benjamin Buchtala and Jannik Rädisch. Their work is supported by Abdulla Yousef Al Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Aalia Khalid Al-Khater, Head of Exhibitions at QOSM.
Following its debut in Paris, the exhibition is scheduled to travel the world with stops in the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
About 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) is one of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced museums dedicated to sports and the Olympic movement. As a member of the Qatar Museums network, QOSM is committed to educating and inspiring visitors through a variety of exhibitions and programs that explore the history and significance of sports in society.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM) is the lead organization for museums, heritage sites, and artistic, cultural, and heritage projects in Qatar. QM seeks to be a cultural instigator for new ideas, perspectives, and interactions for the people of Qatar and beyond. By nurturing emerging talent, promoting artistic expression, and encouraging cross-cultural exchange, QM plays a crucial role in the cultural development of Qatar.
About the curators:
Dr. Christian Wacker worked as an archaeologist at the excavation of ancient Olympia, Greece in the 90ies and received his PhD for a thesis about the gymnasium at Olympia. After that he joined a scientific publishing house and led the editorial office. He taught at various universities and published 15 books and around 80 papers about sports history, archaeology and museology.
Benjamin Buchtala is a German esports entrepreneur and event manager. After originally planning to become a teacher, he transitioned into the field of digital and social media marketing in 2017 from where he ventured into the field of esports. In 2020 he became CEO of the German digital marketing company BEING X GmbH and founded the brand BEING ESPORTS together with Jannik Rädisch.
Jannik Rädisch is a German esports entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He co-founded the German esports companies BEING X and BEING X Development in 2020 and 2022 after quitting his profession as a consultant for luxury car manufacturers. Being X is mostly known for their brand BEING ESPORTS, which acts as an esports event management agency for various esports titles and publishers.