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The first edition of the ongoing Bangladeshi Mangoes Festival (Al Hamba Exhibition) at Souq Waqif is evoking a good response while recording good sales. The sales crossed 29 tonnes on the first three days of the festival while the festival drew 31700 visitors, who thronged Souq Waqif to relish the Bangladeshi mangoes.As per the figures, released by Souq Waqif Management, the first day recorded sales of 87,00 kg mangoes while the sales on the second and third days stood at 11,300 kg and 9,700 kg reaching a total sale of 29,700 kg. The festival on the first day received a total of 7,000 visitors while the second and third days witnessed 12,200 and 12,500 respectively.To run until July 1, the festival at the Eastern Square of Souq Waqif features 20 varieties of Bangladeshi mangoes. Organised by the Private Engineering Office (PEO) in cooperation with the Embassy of Bangladesh, it sells an array of mango products and fresh fruits from Bangladesh.The expo showcases a distinguished selection of renowned Bangladeshi mango varieties such as Amrapali, Langra, Katimon, Khirsapat, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Haribhanga, Lame Mango, Banana Mango, Himashagor and Lakshmanbhog. Also, litchi, jackfruit, dragon fruit, guava, Baccaurea motleyana and pineapple are on sale. The exhibition is open daily from 4 pm to 9 pm except during official holidays when the opening hours are extended to 10 pm.Most of the exhibitors have come all the way from Bangladesh exclusively for the expo where high quality fruits that are flown from Bangladesh in special flights are sold. The festival is held for the first time in conjunction with the peak mango harvest season in Bangladesh with the goal of enhancing healthy competition among participating companies and offering high-quality products at accessible prices. It is the result of collaborative planning between the Celebrations Committee and the Embassy of Bangladesh to provide a platform for both Bangladeshi and local companies to showcase their offerings in a distinguished commercial setting.The exhibition tent is equipped with proper cooling systems to ensure the freshness of the products and visitors’ comfort.

On the second day of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the Cultural Village Katara continued to offer its impressive events, attracting large numbers of visitors who immensely enjoyed the festive atmosphere.Katara Corniche hosted a variety of activities and events that added a special joy to the Eid celebrations. Among the standout events was the street play "The Adventures of Adnan the Pirate – The Mind is a Blessing." This children’s play was written by Dr Hanan Sadiq, directed by artist Ali al-Khalaf, and performed by a group of Qatari actors, including Ali al-Sharshani, Shahd al-Jassem, and Faisal al-Jassem, alongside young talents and a team of performance artists. The music was composed by the Qatari group Neymar Music.Dr Hanan Sadiq explained that the play continues Katara's tradition of presenting theatrical performances during Eid, aiming to reinforce the cherished values and principles in a creative and engaging way for children, while introducing them to the expressive power of theatre.She noted that the performances have drawn large audiences of children and families, receiving enthusiastic interaction, which indicates the play’s success. The first show takes place at 6.15pm on the Katara Corniche, while the second show starts at 8.45pm.Another major attraction during Eid is Fereej Katara, which draws large crowds of visitors.Saeed al-Kuwari from the beach management team explained that Fereej Katara is a traditional heritage village that recreates the authentic atmosphere of the past, both in architecture and in the variety of activities it offers. These include children’s workshops, competitions with prizes, and the participation of family-run businesses and craftsmen specialising in traditional arts, all designed to highlight Qatari culture and heritage.The spectacular fireworks displays continue to captivate large audiences, with the final show scheduled for the third day of Eid at 8.30pm on the Katara Corniche. The sky will be lit up with vibrant colours, spreading joy and delight among attendees.Another highlight is the Qatari Ardha (traditional sword dance), which attracts spectators from various nationalities. Participants form opposing rows and chant patriotic songs expressing pride in the country's leadership and heritage. The Ardha is a fundamental part of Qatari culture, combining poetry with synchronised movements in a powerful display of tradition.Among the prominent activities in Katara’s Eid celebrations was the performance by the Police Music Band, where musicians delivered a captivating show blending rhythm and choreography, making it one of the most admired events.Further, visitors enjoyed a range of Asian and African folkloric performances, featuring traditional dances and music from various African countries, along with vibrant showcases from Egypt and Syria. These performances provided audiences with a rich cultural experience, forming a colourful and diverse artistic spectacle that was met with great enthusiasm. Visitors expressed their appreciation for the cultural diversity presented by Katara.Katara’s Eid celebrations will continue until the fourth day of Eid, offering a rich and diverse programme that appeals to all age groups and social backgrounds.

Katara Cultural Village on Wednesday inaugurated the 13th edition of the Halal Qatar Festival. The festival features prominent participation from livestock breeders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, attracting a large audience of heritage enthusiasts and lovers of traditional culture.Chairman of the Festival's Organising Committee Salman Mohammed al-Nuaimi told Qatar News Agency that the festival aims to attract all interested parties and livestock breeders in Qatar and the region, adding that since its inception and after 13 years, the festival has become one of the largest and most influential events in establishing the concept of genetic improvement among breeders to enhance animal production efficiency.He highlighted the committee's commitment to involving and supporting productive families in the festival, in addition to organising various activities and events for school students and festival visitors.Al-Nuaimi explained that the festival has established its prestigious position among breeders from Qatar and the GCC countries, thanks to its unique economic platform for displaying and acquiring the best types of livestock, including sheep and goats, and highlighting their features and specifications.Al-Nuaimi added that this year's edition includes several new additions and developments to enrich the experience of participants and visitors. The festival features a variety of competitions, including the "Mazayen" competition for selecting the most beautiful livestock, bidding on rare breeds, and direct sales exhibitions.The festival got underway Wednesday with the Mazayen competitions, where breeders showcased the best types of livestock in different categories in the presence of a judging panel and livestock experts.The first day also witnessed auctions for some distinguished breeds of goats and sheep, adding excitement to the event.In addition to the competitions, the festival includes a range of accompanying activities and events, such as a comprehensive market featuring veterinary pharmacies, date stores, honey and sweets shops, traditional foods, and handicrafts, along with drawing and crafts workshops for children and a traditional tent (Beit Al Shaar) to introduce children and visitors to traditional lifestyles.A dedicated area for children has been set up, allowing them to experience horse and camel riding in a fun and safe environment, helping to introduce new generations to the heritage of horsemanship and desert transportation.The festival also saw the opening of an art exhibition in collaboration with Gallery 38, featuring the works of nine artists from Qatar and various nationalities.The artworks are inspired by the desert heritage and its authentic elements, adding a new cultural dimension to the festival.The festival will continue until February 24, blending authenticity and heritage. It serves as an outstanding platform to promote the Gulf heritage related to livestock breeding (sheep and goats) and includes a variety of competitions and traditional shows that attract heritage and folklore enthusiasts. It also offers visitors the opportunity to learn about rare livestock breeds and their breeding methods in an environment that simulates desert life.Katara has been organising the Halal Qatar Festival annually, recognising it as one of the most prominent heritage festivals that contribute to preserving the Bedouin heritage and traditional customs, fostering a deep-rooted legacy in the hearts of the younger generation, and providing them with a realistic portrayal of various aspects of desert and wilderness life. (QNA)

The fifth Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) will kick off on Wednesday at the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara).Organised by the institution and in cooperation with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), the festival aims to enhance the legacy of the State of Qatar in equestrian sports, that has been loved by Qataris since ancient times and their interest in the ancient breeds of Arabian horses.The festival will run from January 29 to February 8. The first edition of the festival was launched in February 2021.This year's edition includes three main events, namely the Al Jazira Horse Championship, which starts on January 29 and concludes on February 1, followed by the horse auction on February 3, then the Arabian Peninsula Horse Show during the period from February 5 to 8.KIAHF is one of the largest sporting events in the field of equestrianism and is held as part of a series of events hosted by Katara annually and is witnessing great development in various organizational and artistic aspects in addition to its accompanying events.The idea of the festival is inspired by the large cultural and historical stock of the Qatari society, as Katara has taken the responsibility of caring for this heritage and love for Arabian horses and highlighting it globally, which falls within its continuous and persistent efforts to balance between the duality of heritage and authenticity on the one hand, and promoting the culture of modernization on the other hand, in line with Qatar Vision 2030.The festival's message is based on supporting the rich Qatari heritage in the field of equestrianism to spread it globally, as the festival aims to enhance the position of purebred and unique Arabian horses at various local, regional and international levels.The festival has a vision and objectives that features making the State of Qatar a global center for horse and equestrian sports, taking the lead in caring for purebred Arabian horses and enhancing its position in this sport, in addition to contributing to the pride of purebred Arabian horse owners by holding an international championship with a high level of organization and coordination by giving them the opportunity to participate with their best productions, in addition to spreading the culture of "modernity and authenticity", which is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.