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Providing an escape from the bustling city life, Qatar’s natural wonders offered visitors a haven to create unforgettable memories with families and friends during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, it is learnt.Qatar residents and visitors thronged places outside Doha to relax and experience the beauty, unique sceneries and serenity of these ‘must-visit’ destinations.“It's fun and exciting to have road trips and gather with friends and family in Qatar during the Eid holiday. There are lots of places to go to and roads are accessible,” Filipino expatriate Fergie D told Gulf Times.“Tourism spots in Qatar are interesting to see. Historical places are informative. I love the art installations. Some of the artworks are really amazing, and they make me think about their meaning,” he added.Fergie, along with his wife Chaine, daughter Kaliya and a group of friends, travelled by car to visit Al Zubarah Fort, 'Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day' (by renowned Icelandic–Danish artist Olafur Eliasson), Arsan Cafe (Old Ruwais Police Station), Al Ruwais Park and Purple Island.“The long drive was worth the time and I was fascinated by how Qatar maintained its cultural heritage while keeping up with the modernised world. Surprisingly, our trip was not exhausting as I expected it to be because I enjoyed the scenery. The Middle East vibe was greatly present when we were on the road. The trip was amazing,” Chaine said.“You feel overwhelmed inside Al Zubarah Fort – you realise how vast their history is. You get the same feeling when you visit Arsan Cafe. The tourist spots (at least the ones we visited) won't fail you. They are worth a visit,” she added.Purple Island in Al Khor continued to be a crowd-puller, receiving a large number of holiday-goers since the start of the Eid break.The spot provides visitors with a chance to reconnect with nature due to its lush greenery and “serene views of Qatar's largest and oldest dense mangroves reserves”, according to Visit Qatar.Like Fergie and Chaine, Indian expatriate Saheer shared the same experience, saying he enjoyed the road trips this Eid, and was able to visit various places in the northern parts of Qatar.“I love to travel by car and repeatedly make visits to places like Al Zubarah, Purple Island and Arsan during this time of the year, when it’s not too cold neither too hot, and because Qatar has amazing roads,” he pointed out.He said he also plans to revisit 'one-of-a-kind locations' such as Zekreet to see the rock formations, Richard Serra’s exceptional art installation, and Zekreet Beach.

The various activations and festive atmosphere at Msheireb Downtown Doha continue to attract a large number of visitors, marking eight days of Eid al-Fitr holidays. Described as “one of the biggest and most engaging Eid festivals for visitors of all ages”, the eight-day celebration at Msheireb features an array of family-friendly activities and attractions for people to enjoy.Starting at 5pm, children could be seen at arts and crafts booths at Barahat Msheireb to take part in a number of interactive games. The beautifully-decorated venue provides visitors with a relaxing environment, in addition to a wide range of food and beverage offerings.The 360-photobooth was among the most-queued activities in the area this Eid, giving holiday-goers the opportunity to create unique and unforgettable moments which they can share on social media. “The activities here at Msheireb are amazing. I find time to take my son to these kinds of festivities because it helps a lot in keeping him away from electronic devices like cellphones and tablets,” Indian expatriate Prakash M told Gulf Times.Besides its health benefits, he said face-to-face, physical/engaging and educational activities also help young children “to be more creative in general” and develop their social skills. Live musical performances every evening remain to be a big hit as it serenades audiences with enchanting pieces at different areas of Msheireb, it is learnt.Filipino expatriate Alex M said visitors like him have been treated with exceptional entertainment shows and activations since the first day of Eid al-Fitr holidays at Msheireb. “I and my family spend our afternoon here at Msheireb because the place has so much charm, it gives us more reasons to return and spend the rest of the evening roaming around, watching the shows, and dining at different restaurants this Eid,” he said.“We can all take the tram but the place encourages people to walk while roaming around. You’ll be able to discover some of the best restaurants and cafes in town that offer the best cuisines and beverages,” Alex added. The Ministry of Municipality also held a fun and interactive planting workshop for children at Sikkat Al Ghafa, giving them the chance “to experience planting and take home an actual plant to nurture”.

The local tourism industry got a further fillip with Qatar’s Eid al-Fitr celebrations, attracting an increasing number of visitors from abroad, especially from neighbouring GCC countries, an industry expert has said.Speaking to Gulf Times, Outing Qatar founder and managing director Mosaad Moustafa Eleiwa said the Eid al-Fitr break is witnessing an ncreasing demand for local tours and curated experiences.“We get a lot of bookings from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and nationals from other Gulf countries this Eid holidays. We also receive many bookings from guests in Europe. People tell us that they love to visit Qatar because it is definitely a luxury destination,” he added.Malls, shopping centres, museums, and art galleries, as well as popular leisure and tourism spots outside Doha such as hotels and resorts, beaches, and the inland sea, have been receiving a large number of domestic and international visitors since the first day of Eid, it is learnt.Eleiwa said nationals from different GCC countries who watched the matches during the FIFA World Cup 2022 find the Eid holidays an excellent opportunity to visit and experience what Qatar has to offer.He noted that football fans were busy going to stadiums for the matches, and had to return home to rest and relax after the prestigious tournament. However, the Eid holidays – backed by a wide range of events and offerings – enticed many to return.Eleiwa lauded Qatar Tourism for its efforts to promote the country as a favourite family and luxury destination, and for launching a revamped Hayya platform, allowing visitors to enter and spend their holidays in the country.The expanded functionality of the Hayya platform aims to invite tourists who require a visa to visit Qatar and enjoy its various touristic offerings.Avens Travel & Tours, Doha managing director Naser Karukapadath echoed a similar view saying that Qatar has become a popular tourism destination, including the Eid Holidays, due to its various offerings and the ease of entering the country.He said they recorded an increase of 15% to 20% in bookings this Eid al-Fitr break compared to the previous year during the same occasion.Karukapadath said Qatar continues to draw a large number of visitors from other countries this Eid al-Fitr and he expects more will come during the Eid al-Adha holidays in June.He pointed out that Qatar Tourism’s ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ campaign played a key role in promoting the country as a leading tourism and luxury destination, and in boosting the local tourism sector.

From malls and shopping centres to iconic museums, landmarks and destinations, including public beaches and parks in Qatar, various locations around Qatar are expected to receive a large number of holiday-goers from today on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.Many residents find the Eid break a chance to bond and spend more time with their families and friends, either taking part in road trips or engaging their children in an array of fun-filled and interactive activities.Residents and citizens were also seen doing some last-minute shopping for Eid yesterday, with malls, hypermarkets, souqs, shops selling sweets and gifts, and tailoring shops, among others, wearing a busy look along with the areas around them.Msheireb Properties, in collaboration with government institutions concerned, recently announced that Msheireb Downtown Doha will be hosting what it described “as one of the biggest and most engaging Eid festivals for visitors of all ages”.Barahat Msheireb has been beautifully decorated to welcome visitors from today until April 28 starting at 5pm, aimed at creating “unforgettable memories in an immersive experience, featuring captivating musical performances and enchanting storytelling sessions”.Some of the activations include a 360-photobooth, food and beverages station, arts and crafts, Eid trivia and contest, live performances, magic shows, planting workshops (organised by the Ministry of Municipality), roaming shows, and interactive experiences and games, among others.Part of Katara – the Cultural Village’s Eid programme, set from 4pm to 10pm, includes a music troupe (police band) show at Al Hekma Hall; Eid gifts distribution at the Katara Corniche, 'The World 2030' play, dress competitions for boys and girls, Eid quiz, and a fireworks display on the first and second days of Eid at 8.15pm at Katara Beach.Indian expatriate Rushab told Gulf Times that he plans to do ‘event hopping’ with his friends this Eid al-Fitr, going from one venue to another to experience the different celebrations.“I think this is going to be exciting because there are a lot of things to do this Eid, and I want to spend it with some of my friends and compatriots,” he said, adding that a road trip is also on their list.“I’ve been here in Doha for more than a decade and up to now, I have not visited Al Zubarah, Ruwais, the Purple Island, and some of the beautiful beaches. I hope I can do that this Eid,” said Rushab, who was checking all the scheduled Eid events in Qatar and the places he mentioned on Google Maps.One can also celebrate Eid al-Fitr at Lusail Boulevard with parades, carnival, drones, fireworks and more. Taking place from 4pm to 1am on the second, third and fourth days of Eid, the celebrations will include parades, music and DJ performances (5pm to 1am), stage shows, fireworks and drone show (10pm), carnival games and cultural activations for all ages, face-painting and henna, etc.At 9pm throughout the weekend, the skies of Doha will light up with a dazzling fireworks show along the Doha Corniche.Malls and shopping centres are also set to host wholesome activities to mark Eid al-Fitr, engaging shoppers to roaming performances, henna painting, children’s show, circus, and arts and crafts.As part of Qatar Tourism’s ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ campaign from April 21 to 23, music concerts, children’s show, live stage shows, and sports festival are scheduled to enthrall residents and visitors.Qatar Tourism announced that Lusail Winter Wonderland will reopen throughout the Eid holidays, allowing families to take part in the celebration.Festivities are lined up at The Pearl Island, Al Bidda Park (Mega Park Carnival), Souq Waqif and Al Wakrah Old Souq and Asian Town.Besides public beaches, public parks such as Katara South Hills, Museum of Islamic Art Park, Al Khor Park and Aspire Park, among others, are also expected to receive a large number of visitors this Eid holiday, especially in the afternoon.

The Eid al-Fitr holidays provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore Qatar’s ‘hidden gems’: from its iconic museums, cultural village and art galleries to the sand dunes, rock formations, beaches and archaeological sites.“Today (April 19), we were able to visit these spots: Zekreet rock formations, Zekreet beach, Zekreet valley, Dukhan Town Centre, Zubara Fort, and Shadow at the Sea of The Day, before going to Ruwais Port, and the Old Ruwais Police Station, which is now a coffee shop (Arsan Café),” Filipino expatriate John Bonalos told Gulf Times.He said he finds the Zekreet beach child-friendly due to its shallow waters, suggesting the best time to come is sunset.According to Bonalos, he often passed by Zekreet when participating in ultra-run events and cycling rides but it was his first time to visit the ‘Eye in the Rock’ formation and mushroom hill.He said “it is worth the visit” especially for first-timers like his companions, who were mostly her wife’s colleagues, and one who grew up in Qatar but has yet to see the area.Bonalos added that they wanted to see the Film City – a main tourist attraction that also hosts what is called a ‘Mystery Village’ – but was closed during their visit. Al Khor and Al Thakira were also on their list but time and some conditions did not permit them.He pointed out that Arsan Café, located a few metres from the beach, is a favourite destination because of its scenery, offering a unique attraction for many visitors. It is listed as a heritage site under Qatar Museums, and located 110kms from Msheireb Downtown Doha.“When it’s low tide, you will see an attraction – the fish trap. The Old Ruins at Ruwais (Al Mafjar beach) is also worth the visit but we weren’t able to go there,” Bonalos said. “Regarding Zubara Fort, it has become more presentable now, and there’s a new building there by Qatar Museums.”Arsan was opened in 2019 and its name was inspired by horses, meaning “a bridle, which is a strap or rope that riders use to guide and control the horse” according to its owner, Shaikha Alsada.It is learnt that many residents who prefer to stay in Qatar throughout the Eid al-Fitr holidays have similar plans of going to these local destinations, in addition to popular sites in Doha such as Katara – the Cultural Village, National Museum of Qatar, The Pearl Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, and Msheireb Downtown Doha, as well as a number of public parks.Indian expatriate Sachin M said he will be taking his family to various family-friendly events and attractions across Doha this Eid al-Fitr, including roaming and entertainment shows at malls and shopping centres.“Children love these activities so we have to take them there first, but I also want them to see nature such as the beaches, the rock formation in Zekreet, and the famous East-West/West-East installation by renowned American artist Richard Serra. There are a lot of places in Qatar to visit and this Eid holiday is the right time,” he said, adding they also plan for s staycation at a hotel in Doha for the remaining three days of the break.

Qatar Museum’s (QM) Years of Culture initiative continues to build bridges and deepen the relations between nations year after year, according to mountaineer, philanthropist and 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) president Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Thani.“Even though there are so many Indonesians that live in Qatar, but the best way to build these bridges is by having cultural exchanges between the two countries,” he said. “So I'm very excited to learn more about Indonesia and also teach people in Indonesia about our culture.”Sheikh Mohammed was speaking on the sidelines of a signing ceremony on Monday at 3-2-1 QOSM, announcing QM’s partnership with celebrated Qatari entrepreneur and athlete Ali bin Towar al-Kuwari who will serve as the CultuRide Ambassador of the Years of Culture initiative.CultuRide, a premier programme of the Years of Culture – with Indonesia as the partner country this year – will take place in June. It aims to bring together professional athletes and cycling enthusiasts in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for a cultural tour of key historical sites.“I'm so proud to see that this year’s Year of Culture it's going to be with Indonesia and it's a country that I feel very close to but I have never been to, but I'm looking forward to discover more of it over this year.“The Years of Culture, year after year, have been building bridges across countries. Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world,. It's a huge country, it's like a continent but we know almost so little about,” Sheikh Mohammed said.He underlined the role of sports and cultural exchanges in understanding the culture of other countries, as well as building lasting friendships, citing that sports has been a huge part of his personal life as a mountain climber.“I try my best to spread the joy of sports and the importance of sports,” he added.Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulla al-Thani is the first Qatari to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. He also climbed the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Vinson (Antarctica), Mount Elbrus (the highest peak in Europe), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), and Mount Aconcagua (South America), which is the highest peak in the Western hemisphere.He said a famous mountain in Indonesia is also on his bucket list but the plan was delayed for four years now due to the unrest in the area.Sheikh Mohammed also noted that Qatar hosted more than 500 international sporting events in the past 10 years, including the prestigious FIFA World Cup 2022, making it a global hub for sports.

With a wide range of hospitality and culinary offerings, concerts, and fun-filled activities, Qatar residents and visitors will have more reasons to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holidays in the country.An official of a luxury hotel in Doha told Gulf Times that they have been witnessing an increasing number of bookings from Qataris, as well as nationals from neighbouring GCC countries especially Saudi Arabia, for the upcoming Eid break.She lauded Qatar Tourism’s vigorous ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ campaign and other initiatives to entice more visitors to visit and experience a one-of-kind holiday in the country.Qatar Tourism recently announced that some of the region’s most popular artistes will take the centre stage and enthrall the audience for three days.These include Tamer Hosny, along with DJ Rouge, on April 21; Marwan Khoury and Najwa Karam on April 22; and “a trio of the genre’s most popular artists”: Qatar’s very own Fahad al-Kubaisi, recent winner of Saudi Idol ‘Hames’, and Emirati singer Balqees – who made her mark on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official soundtrack with ‘Light The Sky.’The Eid celebration in Qatar will also see fireworks displays at night, in addition to an array of wholesome and family-friendly events and activities.Citing a rise in demand for staycations this Eid, the hotel official said many families now opt to spend the holidays in Qatar than travelling abroad due to the presence of five star hotels and resorts across the country.It is learnt that Katara Hospitality-owned and operated hotels also recorded an increase in the number of bookings this Eid for staycations, where guests avail of discounts, promotions, and other deals on room rates and meals at their restaurants.The Eid holidays also provides an opportunity for both residents and visitors to explore and rediscover Qatar’s bourgeoning culinary scene and its iconic museums, popular tourism and cultural spots such as Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, The Pearl-Qatar, and Katara – the Cultural Village.An employee of a restaurant at Souq Waqif told Gulf Times that they have been extremely busy even after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 since visitors keep coming back after the prestigious event.“We had a very short break but because of the pleasant weather and the diverse food offering here, many people love to visit this place,” he said. Souq Waqif remains to be a popular destination for both locals and tourists as its restaurants, cafes, and several retails shops continue to receive a large number of customers, including this Ramadan period.“A lot of families here and from Saudi Arabia come for Iftar and Suhoor, probably because this place has an amazing appeal. We hope to see more guests in the coming days since many people often travel during the Eid holidays,” he added.

Besides a number of popular tourist spots in Europe, neighbouring GCC countries and those that offer visa-on-arrival for Qatar citizens and residents have become favourite destinations for Eid al-Fitr holiday travellers this year, it is learnt.“There is a major surge in bookings for the upcoming Eid holidays. Georgia, Turkiye, Thailand, Armenia and any other destinations where visa is freely available for residents, the demand is quite high,” Tawfeeq Travel Group CEO Rehan Ali Syed told Gulf Times.He said the upcoming Eid al-Fitr break will be the “first full-fledged holiday” for many travellers from Qatar post-FIFA World Cup 2022 and post-Covid-19 pandemic, an occasion that is now witnessing a surge in travel demand.While the coronavirus Omicron variant may have hit the travel sector and other businesses last year, Syed said with the disease becoming endemic, people are looking forward to getting on a flight and enjoying the break.He cited a mix in travel demand, saying many Qatari citizens opt for luxurious breaks to the Maldives, Greece and Dubai (the UAE), while expatriates are looking for options where they can avail of visa-on-arrival facility to avoid the hassle of applying for visas.In general, places like Georgia, Turkiye, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Armenia and Dubai have been the most popular over the past few years. "During the Eid holidays, every traveller is looking at a 4-5-day holiday window,” Syed said, adding that they have also been receiving a number of enquiries for Saudi Arabia, especially to Al Ahsa due to its relative proximity to Qatar.“With the success of the 'Riyadh Season' initiative, the local citizens are eager to experience the 'Jeddah Season' as well,” he said.“Eid holiday travellers are looking for short trips rather than travelling to Europe or UK. Everyone wants to spend more time enjoying and relaxing with their loved ones rather than spending long hours on flights. So, ideally any destination reachable within 4-5 hours with minimum hassle is mostly preferred,” Syed noted. “In recent times, Greece has come up as a good destination for families along with Phuket in Thailand."Avens Travel & Tours, Doha, managing director Naser Karukapadath shared a similar view, saying that many Eid travellers from Qatar prefer fewer flying hours for their journey.This Eid, he said a lot of travellers find GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman attractive compared to some European destinations.Karukapadath said Saudi Arabia has been attracting an increasing number of visitors, especially during the Eid holidays due to its proximity to Qatar and its new policy of easing visa restrictions for GCC residents.He noted a huge travel demand after the Covid-19 pandemic as leisure traffic for different tourism destinations, including countries in the region, continues to rise.

A post-World Cup period is expected to witness a significant boost in trade relations, as well as in other areas of co-operation, between Qatar and European Union (EU) and EU member states, EU ambassador and head of EU Delegation to Qatar Dr Cristian Tudor has said. “I think that the EU member states and Qatar are very well engaged and I strongly believe that post World Cup there will be a substantial boom in trade relations,” he told Gulf Times, noting the tournament’s positive impact on Qatar.FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was lauded and highly regarded as the best ever, showcasing “Qatar’s ability to stage mega events and set a new benchmark for future mega-event host nations”. EU ambassador Dr Tudor said that Qatar seems interested in continuing to expand its network of embassies in Europe, which reflects “how important Europe has become for Qatar.”“And this is reflected also in our EU policies towards the GCC, as we opened a diplomatic mission in Qatar, and lately a few additional EU member states have opened diplomatic missions in Doha. For instance, I am very happy to see the impact of Finland who opened the embassy not long ago and as a result I see more business delegations and more co-operation between the Qatari and Finnish private sectors... This is something fantastic,” he said.Citing a pro-active private sector, EU ambassador Dr Tudor said people are aware of Qatar’s success, particularly those who came for the World Cup and are coming back to visit and set up businesses. Tudor described Qatar as “a very important strategic partner” for the EU – a country that played a key role in helping many Europeans and Europe in general during the Covid-19 pandemic.Capitalising on the success that Qatar had with the World Cup, the envoy said he sees a lot of opportunities to strengthen these relations and co-operation with Qatar this year. Ambassador Tudor noted that the EU Delegation to Qatar is focusing on organising (hopefully) in May the senior officials meeting, which he said is like the annual strategic dialogue between Qatar and the EU. He said discussions on organising the next round of human rights dialogue in Doha are also underway, hopefully, to take place either in September or October this year.

Qatar Museums (QM) offers an array of free educational activities and art workshops for both adults and children during Ramadan, providing an opportunity not only to enrich their knowledge and skills but also learn more about the country’s rich culture and heritage. The 45-minute Ramadan Walk-In Gallery Tours, which will run until April 18, allow visitors to explore rare collections at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), "encompassing 1400 years of history, across three continents”. The Arabic tour takes place on Tuesdays at 9pm while the English tour is set on Saturdays at 9pm at the MIA Galleries. A daily library tour at MIA from 12 noon to 1pm, both English and Arabic, allows attendees to browse the collection of books at the museum and learn more about Islamic Art. It also features a dedicated section for children at the library. According to QM, MIA is hosting the Planet Kids Club for ages 5-11 on April 18 from 8 to 9.30pm at the MIA library. The club also organises different activities and storytelling aimed at helping to protect Mother Earth. “Storytimes dedicated to caring about our world, different arts and crafts, and educational segments about museum objects all await your children. Join us this month for a reading of “The Good Luck Bird” by Najla AlAzii,” QM noted. On May 4 and 5, after the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, residents and visitors can take part in “The Sultan’s Feast: A Fifteenth-Century Cookbook” gallery tour and dinner at IDAM by Alain Ducasse, located on MIA’s top floor. This unique tour, led by award-winning writer, scholar and Arabic literature translator Dr Daniel Newman, allows participants to rediscover “the MIA galleries, and objects in its collection that relate to food and cooking in medieval times”. QM noted that participants will be transported back to the tastes, smells and sounds of the 15th Century Islamic World after the museum tour. “Chef Fabrice Rosso, head Chef at IDAM by Alain Ducasse, will craft a Sultan’s Feast to delight your palate. Participants will also get to experience a spice-smelling station, perfumes of the 15th Century, and discuss Dr Newman’s book in more detail”, QM noted.

The Philippine embassy in Doha will highlight a number of Filipino restaurants in Qatar to mark ‘Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino’ or ‘Filipino Food Month’ during April.Themed “Pagkaing Sariling Atin, Mahalin at Pagyamanin (Love and treasure our own food)” this year, the embassy noted that “this national celebration aims to appreciate, preserve, promote, and ensure the transmission of the vast Filipino culinary traditions and treasures to future generations”.The celebration also aims to preserve, enrich, and promote Filipino cuisine as part of the nation’s cultural heritage, history, and identity, according to a press statement from the Philippine Department of Agriculture. Filipino Food Month is also poised to support various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.“Aside from highlighting our rich culinary tradition, may this event provide a platform to acknowledge the role of our local communities especially our farmers, fisherfolk, and other sector involved in food production, the culinary industry, and national food security,” President and concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in a statement.It is learnt that Qatar is witnessing a growing number of Filipino eateries and restaurants as the demand continues to increase for a wide range of dishes.In the Philippines, the celebration will feature various conferences, live cooking shows and concerts, as well as other events across the country.The Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) noted that “Filipino food is often referred to as one of the world’s earliest fusion cuisines, having its ancestral cooking influenced mostly by the surrounding environment of people’s settlements and early foreign visitors such as the Mexicans from the galleon trade period and the Muslims from neighboring countries”.PCHM added that “Filipino cuisine has complex and distinct flavours—mostly a combination of salty, sour, sweet, and bitter, although spicy dishes are also highly concentrated in Bicol and in the Muslim areas of Mindanao.“Majority of its dishes are also best served as viands with rice—the country’s major food staple—and dipping sauces and condiments such as buro (fermented rice and fish), bagoong (fermented salted fish or shrimp), and suka (vinegar)”.

The Garangao Cultural Activation at the Corniche Plaza Wednesday attracted thousands of children, featuring an array of educational and creative activities.From henna and face-painting and art workshops to live theatre shows, the celebration offered families and children an exciting and joyful treat that continued until midnight. Qatar Tourism (QT), in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, Qatar Airways and Ooredoo, organised the Garangao Cultural Activation at the Corniche Plaza.Filipino expatriate Nilo P lauded the activation, saying that it provided children with an enjoyable and unique learning experience, apart from the various beautiful attractions at the venue."My daughter was so happy to participate in the art activities. It's good to see children eager to learn from such events because they drive them away from electronic devices," he said, hoping that similar events will be organised even after Ramadan.Ahmed Ali, an Indian expatriate, went to the Corniche Plaza with his two kids. "They had a really good time there. The event highlighted the spirit of Ramadan and also provided some moments to remember for the entire family," he said.Garangao is a traditional celebration that coincides with the 14th night of Ramadan. It is considered one of the most important Ramadan occasions in Qatar, when children knock on doors and collect nuts and sweets around their neighbourhood. Various public and private entities also organise big Garangao celebrations.The Corniche Plaza event also featured stage shows, puppet shows as well as question-and-answer sessions that offered prizes to participants, and a fashion show -- which enticed many young participants to dress up in a unique Garangao outfit.A large number of visitors also had the chance to take part in a workshop with Qatari artist and wildlife photographer Azzam al-Mannai, along with Lebanese artist Iyad Mouwad.Some festivalgoers found it fashionable to wear the Batoola after witnessing and participating in a design workshop -- an event exclusively for girls -- giving them the opportunity to create and design their Batoola.Other activities also included Sadu bracelet workshop, henna and face painting, Polaroid selfies (picture-taking) and gift giving, among others.

The variety of food offerings - a mix of Arab and international cuisines - at the 12th Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) continues to lure thousands of residents and visitors, highlighting the country's diverse and vibrant gastronomic landscape.The latest edition of the annual festivity, taking place at Al Sa’ad Plaza in Lusail Boulevard, a modern and iconic venue, features more than 80 culinary vendors and several other activations, entertainment and live cooking demonstrations such as the Georgian culinary show.Georgian chef Georgi Alugishvili, along with Qatari chef Aisha al-Tamimi, prepared authentic Georgian dishes at a recent live demonstration, which was attended by Georgian ambassador Nikoloz Revazishvili, community members and other guests.Highlighting the history and popularity of Georgian cuisine, the envoy said: "Food plays a very important role in Georgian identity. The foods and flavours of Georgia reflect the country’s geographic setting. For centuries, Georgia served as a stop on East-West trade routes. As traders passed through, the Georgians borrowed and assimilated the flavours and culinary traditions of visitors."Georgian cuisine now incorporates flavours and influences from the foods of Mediterranean, Persian and Asian cuisines. With time, each Georgian region has developed its own distinctive contributions to the country’s culinary identity. People traveling from Qatar to Georgia fall in love with Georgian food and, as a result, Georgian cuisine is gaining more and more popularity in Qatar."He added that two Georgian restaurants opened in Doha recently-- Mosavali at Doha Oasis and Al Terrace at Souq Waqif, both showcasing authentic Georgian cuisine.According to Revazishvili, traditional Georgian cuisine combines fresh meats, fresh vegetables, herbs and spices into distinctly flavourful dishes that are considered among the healthiest in the world.He noted that for foreigners, Georgian cuisine is mostly associated with Khachapuri – a cheese-filled bread - or Khinkali – meat-stuffed dumplings."However, Georgian gastro culture can offer a wide range of traditional courses. One of them is Chakapuli – lamb stew with fresh greens, also Kharcho - beef stew with walnuts and Georgian spices, along with other traditional dishes. The menus at Georgian restaurants in Doha provide a wide variety of authentic Georgian dishes," he said.About the event, Revazishvili said QIFF has proven to be one of the most attractive festivals for gastronomy lovers, where international and local cuisines are well presented, giving visitors an array of options to choose from and experience the diverse cuisine.He stressed that family-friendly entertainment and the chance to meet and learn from the most talented chefs provide a truly captivating experience for all visitors at QIFF.

From the world’s best hotels and venues to unparalleled hospitality, 'Qatar has everything' to become a leading and favourite wedding destination globally, Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker has said.He was speaking at the 9th Annual Destination Wedding Planners Congress on Wednesday at St Regis Doha. The three-day event, which concludes today, has brought together 500 delegates and industry experts from up to 70 countries under one roof.HE al-Baker pointed out that whoever gets married in Doha, ties the knot in Doha, will have an experience that is unprecedented."We have everything here, the world’s best hotels, museums, beaches, the best venues, and everything that you need to make your wedding the best wedding is available here.“But most importantly, you have the warmth and acceptance of the people of Qatar, and we don’t treat you as industry leaders in wedding planning, we don’t treat you as a commodity, we treat you as an asset and this is where we give you the maximum value to come and bring your venue to Doha.”HE al-Baker said Qatar is not competing with other countries as a wedding destination since it has its own plans and assets to promote – hidden treasures that are yet to be discovered.“We also do not want to be a tourist destination for 25, 30, 40 million people. We are very moderate, we are very humble in the numbers we want. We want this to be a family destination, where families feel comfortable, safe, feel relaxed, and have an influence that is synonymous with the hospitality that we have now,” he stated.If Qatar successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022, HE al-Baker pointed out that the country can also host the best and most memorable weddings.He said Qatar Airways has now acquired seaplanes that will take guests to remote resorts: one has been built and a second is set to open in the next three months.“There are so many things to discover about Qatar so I don’t only want people to come and get married here but keep in repeating honeymoons. With a destination like Qatar, you should keep on having many honeymoons,” HE al-Baker said.As a tourism destination, he noted that Qatar offers curated and unique experiences: its territorial waters is home to a large number of whale sharks and dugongs for more than three months; turtle hatchings on the beaches: the world’s best resorts that can be reached without any interference; and a country that has nearly 10 months of kite surfing – “an opportunity which doesn’t happen anywhere else”.HE al-Baker noted that Qatar is also home to one of the best health and wellness resorts in the world – Zulal. The 9th Annual Destination Wedding Planners Congress - a globally renowned platform for wedding planners, connoisseurs, hoteliers, and professionals in the luxury wedding planning industry - is also presenting panel discussions and activities.

The Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture kicked off Sunday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), putting a spotlight on projects that enhance the creative and cultural industries in both countries with a focus on sustainable and long-term partnerships..text-box { float:right; width:450px; padding:10px; border:1pt solid black; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 60%;}}Opportunity to embark onculinary journeysRamadan will offer an opportunity to embark on special culinary journeys in both countries.Indonesian chefs will infuse traditional ingredients into menus of various restaurants in the country during Ramadan while special culinary demonstrations will take place at the ongoing Qatar International Food Festival.At the same time, Qatari cuisine and traditional celebrations like Garangao will make their way to Indonesia.Collaboration around the shared passion for food will continue over the summer when two Qatari and Indonesian chefs travel across Indonesia on a culinary journey.The Years of Culture has also partnered with Reach Out to Asia to organise a volunteer trip for a group of young people from Qatar to work with school children in Indonesia.A special theatrical presentation of HAYATI (Tree of Life): Searching for The Essence of Love, organised and presented by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology.Created especially for this Year of Culture will be presenting in Qatar this year.In Indonesia, participants from both nations will join in a cycling tour to the world’s largest Buddhist temple in Borobudur, located in Central Java.The tour will culminate with a festive dinner and the presentation of a traditional Qatari performance, highlighting the shared passion of the two cultures for sport, cuisine, and the performing arts.The longest-running exchange programme of the Qatar Years of Culture programme, the Photography Journey, will be organised this year with the support of the Jakarta International Photography Festival.A pair of Qatari and Indonesian photographers will capture images of traditional practices, documenting and preserving intangible cultural heritage in both countries.An exhibition of photographs by the participants will be presented in Qatar and Indonesia later in the year.In the fall of 2023, the Years of Culture team is set to organise a cultural extravagansa in Qatar celebrating shared traditions of craftsmanship and hospitality.Major events will celebrate vibrant cultural traditions in both Qatar and Indonesia during the Workshop Month (September), a special exhibition celebrating the two nations’ shared appreciation for the rituals of hospitality and coffee-making at NMoQ (October), participation in the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (October) and the return of the annual Cultural Festival at Flag Plaza celebrating Indonesia as this year’s partner (November), as well as film screenings in both countries.“Our partnership with Indonesia this year is taking us to a new level, where we witness art, cultural and humanitarian events and initiatives, to bring people closer together through creative programmes in fashion, theatre, culinary art, education, sports, filmmaking, politics and museums," said Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.“By working together and sharing knowledge, we will all benefit from Indonesia’s experience in building its creative economy, which includes a lifestyle rich in culture,” she explained at the special ceremony, attended by Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan, several ambassadors from various embassies in Doha and QM officials, among other guests.The celebration at MIA also showcased a traditional Saman dance by members of the Indonesian diaspora (Rumah Seni Al Khor), a performance on Sasando (a traditional musical instrument from the island of Rote in East Nusa Tenggara by Ganzer Lanaalso, and folk songs by Firdha Rachmadani.This year’s programme, preceded by the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (Menasa) Year of Culture in 2022, will feature an array of cultural events and live performances, sports competitions, exhibitions, culinary festivals, photography projects, residency and volunteer programmes, among other activities, QM noted.Speaking at the event, the Indonesian ambassador said: “Essentially, Year of Culture is in line with our national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, which means “unity in diversity”.As a multicultural country, which has an estimated population of more than 279mn, and more than 300 distinct ethnic and linguistic groups, Indonesia boasts such significant cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity.“On the other hand, Qatar is the epitome of diversity in the Middle East, with more than 100 nationalities.These similarities make two countries are less difficult to build strong brotherhood cooperation.Our Qatari colleagues have been excellent partners in opening their hearts to many new Indonesian cultural experiences."The envoy noted that the embassy and members of the Indonesian community in Doha took part in three events in Qatar this year: on Qatar National Sport Day, where Pencak Silat athletes and performers demonstrated their skills during an event at Education City; an exhibition of Minang Culture (supported by the Ministry of Culture and QM) at Bait Al Sulaiti last month, which unveils a wide variety of cultural performances; and a friendly competition between the Qatar Horseback Archery Centre and the Indonesian Horseback Archery Association, also in February.“Indonesia welcomes the opportunity to celebrate our robust partnership with Qatar through the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.Thank you Qatar, for always facilitating the diversity.That we, from every corner of the world, could embrace and celebrate our culture, just like in our own country,” Hassan said.In a press statement, QM’s Cultural Diplomacy director Aisha Ghanem al-Attiya said: “The Indonesian national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, Unity in Diversity, perfectly expresses the spirit of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.Through our many programmes, to be held in both nations, we will weave together a tapestry of relationships that are as varied as they are strong and resilient.”As part of the 2023 Year of Culture, MIA is featuring a spectacular collection of Indonesian artefacts in new galleries dedicated to Southeast Asia (17 and 18), which opened to the public yesterday.According to QM, the galleries remind visitors that the region today is home to the largest Muslim community worldwide, underlining the connection between different cultures through exhibits on the trade of commodities and the exchange of ideas across the Islamic World and beyond.Displays feature beautiful Indonesian gold jewellery and textiles.MIA’s Curatorial Affairs deputy director Shaika Nasser al-Nassr said: “At MIA, we tell the story of the spread of Islam around the world and its influence on art and culture.The new MIA makes that story complete with the addition of galleries on the Indian Ocean region and Southeast Asia.”Residency programmes to foster creative industriesThe year’s special emphasis on fostering the creative and cultural industries will be carried out through three-month-long residency programmes, pairing Qatari and Indonesian designers to encourage direct engagement between emerging talent from both countries.These collaborative residencies will provide opportunities for Qatari product and fashion designers to discover traditional Indonesian craftsmanship from local masters in jewellery design and metalworking and embroidery.Mentors and locations were carefully selected from regions of Indonesia best known for these specific areas of expertise: Tasikmalaya (embroidery) and Sumba (metal ornamentation).Each residency will challenge participants to consider issues of waste management and sustainability in their choice of materials and designs.Final products will be introduced at prestigious festivals celebrating Indonesian culture and design, including the Indonesian Contemporary Art and Design (ICAD) festival in October-November 2023, Jakarta Fashion Week in October 2023, as well as a monumental year-end exhibition at the National Gallery in Indonesia.Artworks by some of Qatar’s brightest emerging contemporary artists will travel to Indonesia as part of the ARTJOG 2023 festival, which asks participating artists to reveal the intent and motivation behind their work through various interactions, discussions, and silahturahmi (a concept based on Islamic practices about keeping or mending ties between family or kin adopted by Muslin communities in Indonesia) with artists.Additional community events and celebrations will be announced throughout the year on Years of Culture social media pages and website at yearsofculture.qa

Spectacular entertainment shows and live performances marked the second day of the Darb Lusail Parade at the Lusail Boulevard Friday in the presence of thousands of spectators.The three-day event along the 1.3km iconic venue concludes Saturday with three parades of about 30 minutes, taking place at 6pm, 7.30pm, and 9.30pm and attracting crowds at various stations.A dancing duo – dressed in unique and attractive costumes invites spectators to join them. Face painting, henna, meet and greet with parade performers such as LED dancers, living statues, and different cartoon and Disney characters such as Spiderman, the Hulk, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, among others.The folk dancers on stage also drew a large number of spectators. The Lusail Boulevard offers a festive atmosphere for different age groups. While children enjoy roaming around the venue on their scooters, others walk along the stretch as they watch the parade.“I love going to Lusail Boulevard because my daughter can play and enjoy various activities, while my wife and I try to achieve our daily target of 10,000 steps by walking back and forth,” said Filipino expatriate Pat C who tried to catch the first parade at 6pm.While the Lusail Boulevard hosts several restaurants and cafes, Pat said he hopes to return to the venue in the coming days for the upcoming Qatar International Food Festival, which begins Saturday and runs until until March 21.Like the previous QIFF, the annual celebration is set to feature an array of local and international cuisines, cooking demonstrations, entertainment shows, and activations for people to enjoy. The avenue has parking areas for motorists while many visitors come via the Doha metro.

The three-day Darb Lusail Parade 2023 kicked off yesterday at the Lusail Boulevard, featuring a grand display of entertainment shows, live performances and fun-filled, family-friendly activities along the 1.3km avenue.Lusail Boulevard is once again hosting a spectacular and crowd-puller event nearly three months after hosting the Qatar National Day parade last year – which highlighted Argentina’s win during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final.At the launch of the Darb Lusail Parade 2023, roving mascots, stilt walkers and LED dancers dressed in unique and colourful costumes welcomed a large number of visitors who are spending the weekend with their families, groups of friends or colleagues.The festive mood at the venue was reminiscent of the World Cup fever where football fans could be seen enjoying the music, shows, and the various interactive games, in addition to the appeal of sport-themed boulevard sections and a wide variety of local and international cuisines on offer.“It’s been a while since the football fever and my family and I are very happy to be here and experience another exciting and enjoyable festival. My son loves to see mascots and popular cartoon characters, and for me that’s one way of shifting his focus away from electronic gadgets,” Indian expatriate Sachin M told Gulf Times.He lauded the organisers for presenting yet another “amazing event for residents and visitors to enjoy and engage with”, apart from the annual festivities being held in the country.While the parade enthralled spectators along the avenue, cultural shows led by Qatari musicians and performers serenaded the crowd. The programme runs from 6pm to 11pm, giving spectators the opportunity to experience folk shows, carnival bands, global street arts, and the Qatar Brass Band, as well as children’s section and henna stations.Every station and section of the boulevard also features a different show and activity: military symphony orchestra, laser light shows, lifestyle dance and skate performances.The Qatar Brass Band’s performance was one of the highlights yesterday at the boulevard as it enthralled spectators with its popular original, as well as international music pieces such as Titanic film’s theme, My heart will go on. “Lusail Boulevard is so appealing to a lot of people. It’s actually one of the best and memorable places besides the Lusail Stadium and Souq Waqif that comes to my mind when we talk about the World Cup last year,” said Filipino expatriate Mark RL.“The architecture and design, its modernity, and all the things that it offers as a destination are exceptional. I hope that these events will continue throughout the year,” he said while expressing optimism that Lusail Boulevard will soon become a popular entertainment hub and food destination.The Darb Lusail Parade serves as a curtain raiser of the Qatar International Food Festival 2023, which begins tomorrow (Saturday). The event running until March 21, marking the country’s diverse food and beverage, as well as hospitality offerings, is also expected to draw thousands of visitors and spectators.

Women serve as a driving force in the ongoing economic and digital transformation in Qatar and the region, underscoring their economic potential if fully realised, a Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) official said.“Qatar is booming and women are the key reason for that growth, but as much progress as has been made, we have only just began to scratch the surface of what is possible,” QFC deputy CEO and chief business officer Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani told the Cartier’s VIP event, held at Liwan Design Studios and Labs on Tuesday.The gathering brought together prominent and influential female personalities from Qatar and the Middle East, including industry leaders and community influencers, to mark the International Women’s Day.Besides holding numerous high profile public roles, she noted that many Qatari women are leading and paving the way for others, directing initiatives, and setting national policies and strategies, in addition to leading their own organisations forward.Women also play an essential role in a huge number of small and medium enterprises, as well as in all sectors, inspiring more others to follow their lead and pursue their own ambitions.“There is an undisputed recognition that to succeed in today's global economy, it is essential to empower women,” Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani said.She cited the success of the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar, saying it was a demonstration of the remarkable transformation that is underway for both Qatar and the entire Middle East North Africa (Mena) region.According to Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani, economic growth across Mena was more than 6% in 2022 – an 18-year high and among the fastest globally while Qatar saw “an incredible 70% annual growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects for the past several years and this is true throughout the region.”“Four of the 10 countries with the brightest outlook for FDI in 2023 are in the GCC and Qatar tops that. Technology and how it fits within the United Nations’ theme (“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”) for this year and the digital economy has been very critical to this growth,” she said.She noted that the Qatar government is rapidly expanding online services for its citizens, and has launched the national strategy for Fintech on March 7, “which is a testament towards that mandate, and companies of all sizes are also deploying innovations that open up entirely new areas for economic development.“Now, the digital economy is on track to double its share of national GDP by the end of the decade.“Analysis suggests that fully realising women's economic potential in the broader Mena region would add as much as $2.7tn to regional GDP, and the GCC alone, achieving full parity, would add more than $800bn in value for our economies, a growth of more than 40%, just imagine that number and the potential it holds for the region,” Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani.However, she noted that structural and cultural barriers still prevent women’s entry into the workforce and their advancement. “We can't afford to have half our populations, our best-educated citizens sitting on the sidelines. To get more women into the workforce, we must create a work environment that is more inclusive.Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani noted that the digital economy provides “an unprecedented opportunity to achieve a step change in women's economic engagement and development that previously would have taken generations.”“The most direct path to increasing women's economic empowerment though is making it possible for them to start businesses themselves. Our ability to create the inclusive supportive environment we need depends on women not just leading within companies but also running them.“To encourage entrepreneurship, business incubators and accelerators have emerged throughout Qatar, dedicated funds that we run in partnership with others including M7, the Fintech hub, the digital fund the sports technology fund, and the general localisation fund ensure that we have a minimum two seats for women-led initiatives to be part of any of the cohorts that graduate and go through that programme,” she said.Currently, nearly 5,000 women are identified as company managers on the national business registry and the number has more than tripled since less than a decade ago, Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani added.