(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The annual Katara Traditional Dhow Festival kicked off its longest edition yet in a festive atmosphere yesterday at Katara Beach.
Held under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the 14-day festival, which marks its ninth edition, was inaugurated by Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sualiti, General Manager of Katara, in the presence of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, and Dr. Mohammed Saleh Abdullah Al Sada, former Minister of Energy and Industry.
Organised by Katara Cultural Village, the event is inspired by Qatar's rich maritime heritage and celebrates history through cultural events. This year, the festival has witnessed the participation of 11 countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Turkey, India, Greece, Italy, Spain, Iran, and Zanzibar.
'This is the first time that the Dhow Festival is being held over two weeks. It is also coinciding with the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament and the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019, said Dr. Sulaiti at the opening ceremony.
'The Dhow Festival is the most distinguished among the traditional and cultural festivals and seeks to inspire the young generation to learn and follow their forefathers' cultural past. Katara Cultural Village has put in all efforts for people of all ages and from all walks of life to come and see this exciting festival. We expect many more people this time from all nationalities, and also fans of football who are and will be in Qatar, he added.
Traditional music and dance performances from different troupes add colour to the festival which features a programme packed with activities and events including exhibitions, traditional art, competitions, and cultural and recreational activities. From the rich showcase of traditional methods of fishing, shipbuilding and making ropes, sail and dredging machine to the display of ancient dhows, handicraft, traditional food and seafood to cultural performances and workshops, this year's festival has a lot on offer to Katara's visitors.
The festival also includes a forum that hosts the crew of Fath Al Khair 4, which completed a historic voyage to Europe promoting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Maritime contests including rowing, sailing, Al Haddaq, free swimming, Al Brikha, Al Jinan, Shoush and Tafrees, in addition to Senyar competition, will also be held during the course of the festival.
One of the key features for this edition of the festival is the staging of ‘Al Qumash' a storytelling presentation by schoolchildren which narrates Qatar's rich maritime history which includes pearl diving and the changes it witnessed through time until the present. Visitors can watch the show tomorrow and on Friday. Primary school children will feature in the show which will be staged twice - at 7pm, and at 9pm. The festival runs until December 16 and is open every day from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 10 pm.
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