Qatar National Day 2024 celebrations were inaugurated Tuesday at Darb Al Saai headquarters at Umm Salal Area, to continue until December 18.The inauguration ceremony was attended by HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai, HE the Qatar National Archives Board of Trustees chairman Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, HE the former Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdulla bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and other dignitaries.The opening ceremony witnessed a large public turnout to participate in the activities, especially the Qatari flag hoisting ceremony within the main square of Darb Al Saai. The various activities focus on national solidarity and loyalty to the country and its wise leadership while celebrating the original Qatari values, culture and traditions.Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak al-Ali, assistant undersecretary for cultural affairs at the Ministry of Culture, highlighted that the activities at Darb Al Saai are one of the most prominent expressions of Qatar National Day celebrations."They reflect the spirit of loyalty and patriotism and embody the enduring values upon which the state was founded. Darb Al Saai serves as a unique cultural and heritage platform, showcasing Qatar’s rich history and traditions through diverse events blending cultural, heritage, entertainment, and educational aspects."This annual event aims to strengthen national identity and authentic Qatari values through activities and programmes targeting all segments of society, thereby bridging the gap between current generations and their ancestral heritage. Darb Al Saai is not just a celebration but rather a national message of pride in the past and aspiration for a bright future under the wise leadership of the country."The Ministry of Culture has been keen that throughout the duration of Darb Al Saai, the public is set to enjoy 15 different main events that include 104 activities designed to engage all the categories of visitors while focusing on different aspects of the local culture and heritage.Some of the main attractions include the Qatari House, the main stage, Liwan Al-Fann (Art Pavilion), Al-Bidaa, Al-Maqtar, Al-Ezbah, Al-Shaqab, Darb Al Saai Track, Al-Maseer, the Puppet Theater, the Desert Museum, the Qatari Music Museum, Qatar Reads, interactive games area, the marketplace, and others. A new activity this year is the 'Sana Qatar' exhibit, a digital art showcase featuring immersive video experiences using advanced display technologies.The main stage at Darb Al Saai will host a rich variety of daily activities, including three poetry evenings, three cultural and religious symposiums, three plays (each with three performances), a children’s play, a children’s chorus performance, four operetta shows, and a musical storytelling session. Other events include collaborations with the Qatar University Alumni Association and cultural programmes such as "Nagham wa Hikaya" (Melody and Story).A live cooking competition titled 'Qatari Flavours' will highlight Qatar's culinary identity. Winners will receive prizes of QR80,000, QR60,000, and QR40,000 for first, second, and third places, respectively.Darb Al Saai welcomes visitors daily from 3pm to 11pm at its headquarters in Umm Salal area, which spans 150,000sqm. The site, equipped with advanced facilities and services to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors, features 80 shops, 30 restaurants and cafes, and five traditional games areas.
