Patriotic fervour and a strong feeling of unity were on display at Katara-the Cultural Village Foundation on Qatar National Day, with people turning up in large numbers to take part in the festivities. The area specially set up by the beach at Katara for the occasion saw families and children enjoy the celebrations and soak in the nationalistic spirit. Many kids were seen wearing military fatigues while almost all carried balloons with 'Tamim Al Majd' pictures.
The Ardha dance on Katara’s waterfront was also among the key attractions, while the young visitors queued up to pen their messages on the 'Tamim Al Majd' wall. Katara’s Esplanade has been witnessing eight-day National Day festivities, which include patriotic activities and daily Ardha performances, workshops and fine arts exhibitions, as well as other cultural and recreational shows.
The classic car show is one of the highlights
A large number of people turned up at Katara to enjoy the National Day celebrations.
Monday was particularly special as people celebrated Qatar National Day with pomp and gaiety and enjoyed the various shows on offer. They flocked to the special screen put up to show the National Day parade, and claps and cheers went up each time a march-past happened and also when the paratroopers appeared with their maroon parachutes.
For most families, the musical fountain show – which takes place every 20 minutes and runs from 4pm to 10pm – was a big attraction.
Vintage car lovers could be seen clicking pictures of the classic beauties displayed by Al Mawater around Katara’s premises besides the Amphitheatre.
The Arts Village at Katara, too, was visited by many, including foreign nationals, admiring Qatar’s traditional art and heritage. The village is offering commemorative prints, a decoupage shop (luxury show), sand sculptures, photographic mosaics, a pottery exhibition and workshops besides traditional food. Tiny tots played in the sand by the beach, elderly listened to the music even while others lined up at the various traditional food kiosks which showed the Qatari heritage and national identity. Many of the visitors, both foreign nationals and residents, savoured the Qatari cuisine on offer.
The richness of the country's culture and traditions was on display, Katara said in a statement, and it also gave a glimpse of the new generation of Qatar's heritage through the food market and folklore performances highlighting the generosity and hospitality of the Qatari nation.
The day’s proceedings culminated in a dazzling fireworks show.
On Tuesday Katara will once again host the ‘unique and first-of-its-kind drone show’, while a nationalistic show is scheduled to run at Katara’s Amphitheatre. The Joint Special Forces will present performances between 3:30pm and 5pm on the Katara waterfront, where 60 paratroopers will adorn the skies with colourful formations.
A glimpse of the 'drone show' at Katara.
Writing messages of solidarity.
