News Date:Monday, 13 December 2021

Doha-Katara

The 11th Katara Traditional Dhow Festival 2021, organized by The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, continued its activities accompanying the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 at the Katara Beach esplanade with cultural glow and gaiety.

The Festival which is a fortnight-long coinciding with the FIFA Arab Cup from November 30 to December 18, entered its second week witnessing a big attendance of vistors over the weekend.

HE Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, also received on Saturday afternoon The First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Her Excellency Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda, and the delegation accompanying her.  He escorted them on a tour around the Katara facilities.

Katara offers its visitors at the Festival a rich programming that includes a number of activities and various exhibitions spread over various corners of the Katara Cultural Village. While the southern side includes the heritage village, which opens its doors to visitors in evenings from 3pm to 10pm.

Katara also has a number of exhibitions going on, including the Katara Football and Art Exhibition

At Building No. 18, an exhibition of pioneers of plastic art at Building 19 and art events at ‘The Street’ which spreads over the open-air plaza. And an exhibition of harmonious diversity in Art and culture, which is organized in cooperation with the Ghana Embassy at Building 47 and a special exhibition inaugurating the Arab Cup stamps at Building 22.

Visitors can also follow Qatari shows on Katara Corniche, in addition to a theater ‘The Child’, which offers a range of activities for children.

Every Thursday and Fridays there is also the puppet theatre, which is a section dedicated to children and to presents plays intended for the child, and the Sadu exhibition at Building 13.

Many government and private agencies and agencies also participate in various events, including the Qatar Football Association, which offers a mini-football stadium that the public can use to play and have fun.

Meanwhile, the Katara International Dhow Festival which reflects on the renowned marine heritage and traditions of Qatar and the region continues to be the main attraction.

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 which are -- Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Greece, India, Zanzibar and Turkey besides hosts Qatar..

The Al-Nahma singing competition, introduced for the first time at this edition of the Festival, is receiving big appreciation. 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.

Visitors can also see some fine and precious pearl jewellery put up on display and fishermen showing how a pearl is when extracted from the sea.

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 cafe 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.