(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: The first weekend of the 11th edition of the Katara International Dhow Festival, coinciding with FIFA Arab Cup 2021, saw a large number of visitors soak in the festivities enjoying various shows and competitions at this year's fortnight-long event.
The Katara International Dhow Festival reflects on the renowned marine heritage and traditions of Qatar and the region.
This year's Festival is spread out on a large expanse by the Katara beachfront esplanade and has more cultural shows besides the craftsman's market, and the pavilions of the participating countries, in addition to the participating museums, bodies and ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Engineering Office, Qatar Museums Authority and Mathaf, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum and live painting artists throughout the festival with more comfort and safety.
The first weekend witnessed big appreciation for Al-Nahma competition. Locals follow this marine singing art with great interest and passion. It is one of the most famous marine arts in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf, closely related to the marine environment, fishing trips and pearl diving.
The 'Nahman' takes turns to sing a number of marine 'mawwal' that many visitors love. The singers move the audiences with their masterful performances between the art of the Nahma, its various sights and its many melodies, which differ if a ship is at sea or when a ship is docked.
The Al-Nahma competition introduced at the 11th edition of the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival recorded the participation of seven participants from Qatar, along with three from Iraq and two from the Kuwait.
Meanwhile, the operetta with school children's' performances continues to be a big draw on stage.
In addition the traditional story-telling competitions and stage shows are on and will continue throughout the festival.
The Haddaq Al-Saif fishing competition is also taking place on all days of the fortnight-long festival.
For those interested in maritime history of Qatar, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum has put historic facts through books which narrate legendary tales of the past about guns, the finding of oil and its journey in the region, marine navigational tools, trade and life in the 19th and 20th century.
Deep-sea diving and precious pearls which are so native to Qatar are also displayed from all over the pacific region. The Qatar Museums pavilion has showcased some of the most rare and finest pearls, from both fresh water and sea, with description of how they are found and the marine life around the pearls.
“Oysters or sea shells like displayed here if living can produce a pearl. Depending on the quality of a shell that is laid, it is also the quality of the pearl that is produced. Pearl formations are due to a defence mechanism of the mollusk living in the shells,” informs Alex from Qatar Museums at the pavilion at the Festival.
Visitors can also see some fine and precious pearl jewellery put up on display by Al Majd Jewellery. They also have save artisans working live on pearls and show how pearls are curated and crafted to blended with jewels to create some of the finest jewellery.
Patrons are also enjoying a cinematic presentation of the 'Fath Al Khair' – Qatar's famous traditional dhow boat which has made trips around the world. Also, the many dhows on the waters of Katara sea have people enjoying evening rides.
They are also enjoy the atmosphere at the floating café to get up and close to the dhows in the sea accessing the café through the free water taxi on the beach.
Live music, folk bands, and delicious traditional food of various cuisines are adding to the visitors' delight.
The festival runs till December 18 and is open to all nationalities and people from all walks of life from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 10 pm. On weekends, the festival remains open until 11pm. On Fridays, the festival opens at 3pm.
The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival - where traditions are revived and renewed – has established its position as a prominent destination for heritage, culture and tourism, reinforcing its role in preserving the authentic marine heritage and the customs and traditions of the ancestral past. It attracts thousands of visitors from across the world each year.
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