(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: The 11th Katara Traditional Dhow Festival continues to draw crowds a week after it opened. Children, students and families have been turning up in large numbers at the 15-day event.
This year's festival, taking place at Katara Beach esplanade, will run until December 18, in time for Qatar National Day. The 11th edition focuses more on history, culture and maritime tradition and the sea and is more educating and yet very enjoyable and entertaining.
The history of dhow boat-making, the legacy of the sea, deep-sea diving, the pearl and the livelihood around it in the olden days, the arms used in the past their importance, the trade and the changing times of the Gulf region and the pacific are all highlighted with fine aspects.
Among the participants include Abdul Aziz Al Bohachem Museum which informs about the various supplies and equipment used in the pearl trade. It also has a section which is showcasing Qatari architecture. It also has a library of Abdul Aziz Al Bouhachem Al Sayed, which is an authorised library in the country. A number of books on the history of diving and many collectibles are on display.
This is in addition to the Qatar Museums' 'Our Sea Our Legacy' pavilion and the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Museum which every year attract many visitors.
Given the culture knowledge and information available, many schoolchildren are visiting the festival each morning with trips organised by their school authorities.“While one may read and try to learn about the sea and Qatar's connection with it, when you come to the Festival you realise that there is so much more. Me and my friends found so many interesting and unknown to us till now facts about deep sea diving, the pearl and Qatar's hictoric past,” said Ammar, a student.“Now, I also want to come back in the evening with my parents and sister to see the singing and dancing shows,” he added.
The festival also has exciting traditional sports competitions. The heritage marine competitions are of great interest to many people. In cooperation with Katara, the Doha Marine Sports Club organises a series of these competitions which include the traditional rowing, sailing, and Al Barikha (a boat race by tug of war) on Fridays and Saturdays.
This edition will also be distinguished by a variety of other competitions and marine shows and a series of workshops related to handicrafts that shed light on the marine heritage and reflect the reality of the environment of the people of the sea such as the manufacture of ships and boats (galaf). There are live demonstrations of fishing, pearl diving and trade, folk craft such as palm fronds, wood, blacksmithing, spinning (fishing nets), in addition to the presence of the traditional marketplace.
While the mornings at the festival are serene and more about knowledge and information, from late afternoons, the atmosphere blends into art and music. Artists painting live portraits of the floating dhows, the floating café, and people at the beachfront add a soulful feeling. Moreover, live musicians are also taking place, and artistic performances are presented on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
But on all days, families swarm by the stage to watch the first-ever 'Al-Nahma' singing competitions, the dance from schoolchildren, and the traditional storytelling shows.
The festival is open from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 10 pm. On weekends, it stays open until 11pm, and on Fridays, it starts at 3pm.
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