Father Amir visits 8th Katara Dhow Festival

Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani visited the Eighth Katara Traditional Dhow Festival at Katara beach yesterday. His Highness toured a number of pavilions of the participating countries, where he watched various cultural and heritage events such as the handicrafts market, marine life and crafts, and watched some performances of traditional marine folklore arts.

Apart from the handicrafts market and folkloric shows, the five-day festival features a massive exhibition of more than 70 traditional dhows in varying types and sizes.

Nine countries are taking part in the festival considered the most distinguished among the annual traditional and cultural festivals being organised by Katara which acts as a bridge between peoples and cultures. Stalls of the participating countries exhibit important aspects of their culture and traditions that are linked to the sea such as fishing and pearl diving implements, marine products, cuisine and folkloric shows.

A highlight of this year’s edition of the festival is maritime competitions carrying traditional names such as Hadaq, Shoush, Tafreesh, Tajdeef, Bareekha, Al Shira, Sabaha, among others in which big prizes are at stake.

An art competition focusing on sea traditions is held on the sidelines of the Festival offering impressive cash prizes. This year’s festival also focuses on shows such as maritime dances Saliya, Kharkhour and Ghazal as well as a stunning fireworks display themed on sea traditions and tells the story of fishing and pearl diving in the past.

The Festival also features demonstrations of pearl extracting from oyster and others as well as games and workshops for children. A cultural café with interactive discussions on sea traditions involving experts adds more colour to the Festival. In the mornings, the Festival is open to the general public as well as schoolchildren.

قام صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني، بزيارة إلى مهرجان «كتارا» الثامن للمحامل التقليدية عصر أمس، على شاطئ المؤسسة العامة للحي الثقافي «كتارا».

وزار سموه عدداً من أجنحة الدول المشاركة، حيث شاهد مختلف الفعاليات الثقافية والتراثية المقامة، مثل سوق الحرف اليدوية والحياة البحرية والمهن، وبعض العروض من الفنون الشعبية الغنائية البحرية التقليدية.;