HE the Minister of Culture, Art and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari leads the inauguration of the Freej Aspire.
Aspire Zone Foundation will be hosting Garangao tomorrow night at the Freej Aspire, which was inaugurated last Thursday by HE the Minister of Culture, Art and Heritage, Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari.
The “special” Garangao is being launched by Aspire Zone for the first time and will involve a number of sports activities and entertainment for adults and children, as well as the participation of a number of local organisations.
Activities will include Grandma Memo, Um Khalaf, shows by illusionists, kids’ crafts, traditional games and songs, storytelling and kids’ adventure movie ‘Bonio’, produced by the Doha Film Festival.
Other activities include a competition for the best traditional dress. Three winners will each receive an iPhone and iPad. Winners will be selected according to the number of “likes” they generate on social media.
Aspire Zone Foundation marketing director Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri said: “We’re pleased to play our part in creating joy during this holy month. We invite everybody to join us for the Garangao night taking place in Freej Aspire, where culture and heritage combine with happiness and joy.
“We’re continually seeking to create an atmosphere which children and adults can enjoy and we encourage everyone to come and discover the many activities taking place during this amazing night.”
Garangao is traditionally celebrated at the end of the first half of Ramadan. In the evening, children visit neighbour in traditional dress and sing traditional songs to collect sweets.
Garangao rewards children for fasting during the first half of Ramadan and encourages them to continue to fast during the second half of the month. It also aims to thank ‘Al Mosaher’, the individual who dedicates his time to waking people up for Suhoor meals throughout Ramadan.
Freej Aspire is situated in a new space that features the latest cooling technology designed to keep the temperature at 25 degrees.
It aims to spread joy and happiness among local communities and keep the younger generations connected with old traditions, as well as introduce Qatari history and heritage to the country’s residents.
Aspire Zone Foundation organised the layout of the Freej in the shape of adjoining houses based on the traditional “Liwan” design, which includes a number of stores and handicraft workshops in addition to storytelling booths, food stations and a number of other elements designed to replicate the environment of an authentic Freej.
Freej Aspire aims to spread joy and happiness among local communities and keep the younger generations connected with old traditions, as well as introduce Qatari history and heritage to the country’s residents.
The Freej Aspire is located in Muhairjah area (if travelling from Al Sadd, turn right at Muhairjah signal and the Freej will be 500m after the signal on the left).
Freej Aspire activities, which run daily from 9:30pm to midnight, include the “Sloom Ahel Qatar” programme, organised in partnership with Qatar Charity, and was designed to revive Qatari traditions and customs.
The Sloom programme includes lectures, forums, traditional competitions as well as giving visitors the chance to learn about the history of photography, the profession of sailing, falcon training, and a number of other traditional activities.
Freej Aspire also offers visitors the chance to experience sports and customs that reflect traditional values from across GCC such as the local Al Arda dance, Al Rababah shows, cultural lectures, shows by comedians, as well as storytelling.
This is in addition to activities designed to raise awareness on charity work and Qatar’s cultural heritage. For more information on Freej Aspire, call 5505 9119. For Ramadan activities and timings, visit www.lifeinaspire.qa/ramadan.
