The mini market set up in traditional Qatari rustic architecture along the Katara beach, housing shops that showcase local cultural heritage, will however continue to attract visitors, writes Umer Nangiana
The holy month of Ramadan brought with it attractions as well as interactive and informative activities that drew in large audiences throughout the month at Katara Cultural Village.
While some of these activities, in particular the exhibitions and displays related to astronomy, will wind up with the conclusion of Eid after Ramadan, others will continue to interest enthusiasts.
The mini market set up in traditional Qatari rustic architecture along the Katara beach, housing shops that showcase local cultural heritage, that started this Ramadan will continue to attract visitors as one of the permanent features of Katara.
However, visitors at Katara still have the chance to partake some of the most popular Ramadan attractions while they last till the end of this month.
The biggest of them all is perhaps, the Spaceship. ‘Parked’ in Katara Amphitheatre, this piece of 3D technology took dozens of visitors to ‘space’ every night after Iftar.
Based on 3D simulation motion-ride called ‘XD Cinema-Spaceship’ attracted a large number of men, women and children during the last Ramadan fortnight. It will ‘leave’ Katara at July-end after the conclusion of the fasting month.
Inside, it feels like a virtual trip to space with stars all around and the spaceship passing through galaxies allowing you to see the universe from close.
“It is a sort of motion ride where seats are moving in synchronisation with the content. We have water, light and wind effects. It takes you to space. We have two different contents including a special one about galaxy,” an official told Community, explaining the functioning of the spaceship.
“You will feel like you are sitting in a spaceship and going to discover the beautiful space wall,” he added.
The illuminated booth called the ‘Katara Spaceship’ is designed in line with the activity related to the Katara theme celebrating the holy month. It goes perfectly with other themed activities, including the exploration of galaxy, witnessing the solar system at various exhibitions, learning about planets, space and the knowledge of astronomy going on simultaneously at Katara. The official said the Katara Spaceship is XD Cinema, which is new technology based on 3D content accompanied by 7-8 different effects.
“So you can actually feel the content in a very nice atmosphere. The content inside is talking about planets, space walls and other such themes,” he added.
It is free for all visitors. “So come and enjoy while it is there,” insists the official. Wearing 3D glasses, sitting in the moving chairs, you would literally feel like going on a trip to space when you step out after a short 8-minute experience.
The astrolabe exhibition, the galaxy exhibition, astronomy book fair, the telescope enthusiasts, Find Your Treasure competition, Fine Art competition, Katara Space Wall, Map of the Cosmos, Solar System exhibition and other such Ramadan attractions will conclude on 31st July.
The mini market hosting traditional garment shops, fine art galleries, bookshops and antique ware will however, remain a permanent feature at Katara.
Ever wonder, how television sets looked like in the early 40s and 50s? How radio transmitters function or what people from a century to two ago used to write their letters with?
Jihad Hanniya has collected all such items from different parts of the world and put them on display at the Katara mini market.
From recent ones from 1960s, and some preceding decades to as old as 250 years back in time, Hanniya has a large collection of items, including oil lamps, ornaments, electronics, clothes, shoes, furniture, silver and much more.
“I have one writing table from Napoleon Bonaparte’s time in the 19th century — 1845 to be precise. I have a lot of Islamic era antiques from Damascus which are 100-120 years old. I also have some Turkish collection from the Ottoman period which includes clothes for children, silver and silk products,” Hanniya told Community.
Collecting antiques is his hobby and he has travelled the world to gather this treasure. The Hungarian national whose parents were from Palestine, said he was also a mechanical engineer. One would see him sitting in his shop working on some old TV set. He has successfully brought a lot of them back to life.
Hanniya said his antiques are up for sale but primarily, he has displayed them to educate children about older cultures. Once the schools are open, he intends to invite children and explain to them what the older generations possessed and how it transformed.
During Ramadan, he can be visited after 9pm till 2am.
MAJOR ATTRACTION: A spaceship image from inside Photo: Katara website.
