The Katara 12th Traditional Dhow Festival kicked off yesterday and will continue to Dec 18, 2022 at the Katara beach esplanade with the participation of the State of Qatar along with eight sisterly and friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Iraq, Yemen, India, Turkey and Tanzania.
The launch of the festival came as part of Katara's activities accompanying the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The festival began with a journey led by Al Sardal Saif Al Sulaiti, in which 32 heritage boats participated, and they left Katara Beach, raising the flags of the countries participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to sail towards the Doha Corniche and the beach of the MIA Park.
In his statements on this occasion, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village Foundation Dr. Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said that the 12th edition of Katara 12th Traditional Dhow Festival will be exceptional and premium, because it coincides with the launch of World Cup competitions.
He added that the festival intends to offer different details through its various sections that would enrich the visitor's information concerning the ancient life in gulf countries generally, in addition to reviving traditional marine sports through various competitions.
For his part, Jihad Al Jaidah, a member of the organizing committee of the Traditional Dhow Festival, said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the most important feature that distinguishes the 12th edition of the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival is the period of time that lasts a month instead of five days or a week as it was in previous years, and its activities continue until 1 am for the first time. Competitions were avoided in this version because the organising committee decided that culture and heritage in Qatar should reach the fans of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The festival includes 50 pavilions for the participating countries, which vary between exhibitions of marine heritage holdings and others for handicrafts and professions to introduce 43 handicrafts from the marine heritage, in addition to the marine competitions and workshops.
