Construction industry spurs market for antiques

Qatar’s vibrant construction industry has played a key role in growth of the country’s antiques market, which helps advocate and preserve Arab heritage, culture and traditions, an antique crafts dealer has told Gulf Times.
“Contracting companies, interior designers, real estate companies, and hotels are some of the major clients of the antiques industry,” explained Laura Muli Basco of Islamic & Global Arts & Antiques, a participant in the three-day ‘Nawasi Falcon Equestrian & Camel Expo,’ which concluded yesterday.
“FIFA 2022 World Cup-related projects in the real estate and hospitality industry provide a wide market for us. As long as there are development projects going on, we do not only supply them with our products but also help keep alive Arab culture and traditions,” she observed.
Nawasi was a unique trade fair and exhibition that celebrated the royal Arabic culture of equestrianism, camel rearing and falconry not only in Qatar but across the entire Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. According to organisers, Nawasi “has captured the attention of owners and industrialists, who are dedicated to maintain and keep alive the ageless traditions of horse, camel and falcon breeding, rearing and racing.”
Falcon researcher Dr Zubair Medammal, assistant professor of the University of Calicut’s Department of Zoology, told Gulf Times that he plans to release in Qatar a 30-minute documentary on falcons.
Medammal said he is currently in talks with major players in the country’s falconry industry for his self-documentary entitled, “Falcons and Falconry in the Arabian Gulf,” which are available in English, Arabic, and Malayalam languages.
“My team has already ?nished shooting documentary segments in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The plan is to produce 100,000 DVDs of the documentary, which will then be distributed among educational institutions in GCC countries, as well as in India free of charge.
“My mission is to bring the idea home that falcons and falconry are part of the Arab culture and heritage, and make the younger generation aware of this,” he added.