Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said that Qatar’s National Day celebrations for this year have a special symbolism as they represent the Qatari people’s unity behind their wise leadership.
He added that they also constitute a message to the world about love for the homeland and pride in the leadership. Dr al-Sulaiti noted that pride in the country is in line with love for all those who live on the beloved land of Qatar.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) in the run-up of the country’s National Day celebrations on December 18, Dr al-Sulaiti said that Katara will provide its visitors with the most beautiful celebrations and will dazzle its visitors through innovative events through which it will be transformed into a place full of national meanings and a platform of culture and heritage that enhances national identity.
Dr al-Sulaiti emphasised that Katara is determined to do more work to realise its mission to extend bridges of communication with different cultures and people, which is in line with the policy of the beloved country and the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to develop human beings and their abilities and capabilities. He added that there will be a continued co-operation with various embassies, local and foreign authorities to establish and host various events that will attract visitors to Katara.
Katara — The Cultural Village Foundation has continued its efforts in spreading the Qatari culture and introducing the cultures of the world through its activities that took place throughout 2017.
These activities covered various fields of creativity, art and heritage in Qatar and around the world. Katara has turned into a centre of culture and art from Doha to the rest of the world as its activities were diverse throughout this year, including more than 28 festivals, 50 concerts, more than 80 exhibitions, 135 workshops, 236 lectures and 23 film screenings. Katara also signed 23 agreements and initiatives with various parties in and out of Qatar to support its cultural message.
Some of the most important events and festivals organized by Katara this year were the Harvest Festival, which showed Qatari farm products, and the Winter Festival. Katara also organised the Fifth String Festival for oud. It featured a number of events and musical concerts and was attended by 14 of the world’s most respected oud singers. Furthermore, Katara celebrated the winners of the third Katara Prize for Arabic Novel. This year, the Cultural Village Foundation launched the Katara Award for Recitation of the Holy Qur’an to encourage outstanding talents. Katara also organised Marmi Festival, Halal Qatar Festival, Al Galayel Championship, and the International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail), which enjoyed wide local, Arab and foreign participation.
Additionally, Katara organised the Traditional Dhow Festival, which was accompanied by the launch of the third Fath Al Kheir Voyage. The dhow sailed to the Port of Ruwais before heading to the Port of Shuwaikh in Kuwait and the Port of Khasab in Oman before it returns to Doha on December 18 to participate in National Day celebrations.
Katara has focused on introducing new generations to the maritime heritage through organising the 6th Senyar Championship, which is a fishing and pearl-diving competition. In April, the Cultural Village Foundation launched Katara Maritime singing competition ‘The Art of Al Nahma Prize’.
It also organised a Ramadan Festival, which included 200 events during the holy month. During this festival, the public was introduced to the customs and traditions of 12 Arab and Muslim countries.
In addition, Katara organised special festivals during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Katara u2014 The Cultural Village Foundation has continued its efforts in spreading the Qatari culture and introducing the cultures of the world through its activities that took place throughout 2017
