HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani witnesses some of the live demonstrations and workshops at the festival. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurated the Fourth Traditional Dhow Festival yesterday at Katara – the Cultural Village.
HH Sheikh Hamad was accompanied by HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari; Katara officials led by general manager, Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti; and a number of diplomats.
Groups of Arab performers welcomed HH the Father Emir who also toured the stalls at Katara’s beach area. Dr al-Kuwari, who expressed elation over the presence of HH the Father Emir, told reporters that this year’s festival was unique and different from last year. He cited various traditional activities that portray the lives of those “who used to live by the sea.”
The minister also reiterated the importance of the celebration to Qataris saying it builds a bridge between the past and the present, teaching the young generation what their ancestors used to live of.
Dr al-Sulaiti noted that some 300 contestants took part in this year’s five-day festival, described as a “record-breaking participation from Qatar and other GCC countries.”
The festival brings back the country's ancient maritime traditions to Katara's seashore with a host of cultural events and heritage activities. These include competitions, folk shows, sea cruises, and seminar-workshops.
During the opening yesterday, many visitors had the chance to join a 90-minute cruise from the Katara beach while others watched a live music and dance parade. A celebration of Oman's 44th National Day was also held at the event to mark Sultan Qaboos' birthday.
In the evening, a popular traditional musical show known as 'Al Tabaa' (The Edition) enthralled spectators. The audience were taken back in time to 1925 when the pearl-diving boats sank in the waters of the Arabian Gulf after being exposed to a strong cyclone and heavy rains.
Hundreds of students from different schools in the country are expected to visit the festival starting today from 9am to noon.
Daily cruise and the operetta will also start today including the opening of the traditional sailing competition participated by 40 contestants.
In the afternoon, visitors can watch the diving trip show starting at 3.30pm and will run until Saturday (9am to 12noon). The pearl diving competition will start tomorrow (Thursday) at 4pm and will end on Saturday afternoon.
In a press statement, Katara said the festival will also feature “Al Dashah" event on Thursday. It is a traditional celebration held in the old days when sailors entered the sea, heading to the diving vessels before launching them into the pearl banks (Al Hayrat).
“The ‘Al Qafal’ heritage festival, which embodies the return of the divers to their homeland, will take place on Saturday.”
Last year, the 27-day Fath Al Kheir journey to various Gulf ports highlighted the festival. It went back to Doha in time for the Qatar National Day celebration which was welcomed by thousands of people including the families and children of the crew.
