National Day celebrations to reflect spirit of solidarity, unity

Under the motto ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’, this year’s National Day celebrations will be held on December 18 with events starting on December 9 for 10 days in Darb Al Saai and other venues around the country.
HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali unveiled yesterday at Qatar National Theater the motto which has been taken from a quote of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad al-Thani.
The minister stressed that the National Day’s celebrations this year come in very special circumstances and would reflect the solidarity and unity experienced throughout the country during the time of the crisis, where both Qataris and expatriates showed steadfast support to Qatar and its leadership.
The ongoing blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, would give this year’s celebrations special flavour as the minister considered that over the past months of the siege, Qataris and expatriates became more united and
attached to this good land.
He pointed out that since first starting the celebration of the National Day, there has been an immense focus on creativity and enhancing local heritage and history themes.
“Some events companies at the start suggested a motto such “I am Qatari and I am proud” but we never favoured such approaches because it may exclude others, which has never been the case in Qatar, where all the inhabitants from all nationalities take part side by side in developing the country they consider their beloved homeland,” stressed
HE al-Ali.
He pointed out that creativity, inspiration, participation and transparency are the values which the National Day Celebrations Organising Committee want to convey and emphasise as part of this occasion. Besides, the National Day should influence the young generations to continue adopting the deeply rooted values of the Qatari society, introducing them to the great and bright lessons of the past generations who overcome more difficult times to make the country what it is now.
The minister, however, emphasised that the organising committee is open to new ideas and suggestions. “The celebrations are not meant to dazzle people and create magnificent scenes through various technical effects and theatrical performances but rather aimed at displaying the national identity and reflecting the diversity of the country’s people.
“For instance, Darb Al Saai, scheduled to start as early as December 9, was a new idea created locally to give more focus on local history and heritage, which are considered the main sources of the adopted themes.”
The minister said that tribes and expatriate communities are free to feature their ideas of celebration to express their own love of the country in the way they like.
During the announcement ceremony, a documentary on National Day celebrations since 2008 was screened, and an art performance titled ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’ held.