Media

The second Aspire Lake Festival took spectators through half-hour ‘magical journey,’ featuring more than 40 artists and experts with a showcase of theatrical performances and fireworks displays at Aspire Park. Video by: Joey Aguilar

Almost two-third of the ambitious Orbital Highway and Truck Route linking the newly constructed Hamad Port in Mesaieed with the Ras Laffan Industrial City on the northern side is ready now. While announcing this on Sunday at a meeting in Rayyan, Ashghal authorities said nearly 125 kilometres of the 195 kilometre highway is ready for traffic.

The Khalifa International Stadium, which is hosting the Emir Cup final on Friday, will give spectators a new experience and its lighting system is capable of showcasing a variety of colours. Fans are in for a treat at the renovated venue.

Qatar residents and visitors have the opportunity to witness some of the most beautiful and unique kites soaring through Doha’s skies for five days from Tuesday at the 1st International Kite Festival. The event, organised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), will see more than 50 teams from 13 countries (Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, the US and Vietnam) competing in what promises to be “a colourful and beautiful showcase” at Aspire Park. The festival, sponsored by Katara – the Cultural Village, Qatar Airways, Ooredoo, Nikon and Kiddy Zone, features arts and crafts, a wind garden and stilt walking entertainers, as well as an array of food and beverage options.

Fireworks light up the evening sky yesterday above the Hotel Park, the venue of the 8th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival, which runs until April 8. Some 130 participants, mostly from the hospitality, and food and beverage sector, are taking part in the festival, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority, in partnership with Katara Hospitality.

The pleasant morning weather made the 77th National Day celebrations at the Pakistan embassy an indulgent affair. The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of national songs by schoolchildren following the speeches. Children attired in mostly green and white Pakistani colours to steal the show with their vocal prowess. Expatriate Pakistanis from all walks of life turned up to partake the pomp and ceremony.

  Dragon boat races are becoming a popular team building activity for many companies in the country, Qatar Dragon Boat Festival 2017's event organisers  told Gulf Times. This year's event, held at Grand Hyatt Doha, saw hundreds of paddlers participating in two categories: the ‘recreational league’ (12 teams) and ‘premiere league’ (nine), including a team from the UAE.

The kite flying demonstration by One India Kite Team and Arabian Kite Team, yesterday at Katara Beach. The demo, done as a prelude to the Qatar International Kite Festival slated in April at the Katara Beach, has attracted many families and some of the spectators even joined in flying a large circular kite, a famous kite design used in Italy. The kite weighs 12.5kg and has a diameter of 45ft. It also adorns 300 spikes that serve as air holes.

More than 300 artistes presented cultural performances highlighting the diversity and unity of India at an event hosted Friday to celebrate the 68th Republic Day by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) under the aegis of Indian embassy. Students of Indian schools as well as members of the affiliate bodies under ICC presented various programmes on the occasion. The cultural programmes consisted of music, dances as well as other cultural arts. Over 50 choreographers were involved in preparing the performances which were received with resounding applause by the audience. Gulf Times was the media partner of the event.

A journey through the Magical Festival Village along the Katara Beach Front, Doha, Qatar, is a spellbinding experience. Throngs of people continue to visit the area since it opened its doors to the public in late January. With its ‘European countryside-inspired’ design, the venue serves as a popular backdrop for selfies and family portraits. The Magical Festival Village is situated in a 50,000 sq m area within Katara -- the Cultural Village and showcases up to 400 retail outlets, including 357 commercial shops, 19 cafes and 20 restaurants with about 500 seats and chairs for the public. It also features a ‘Ladies Boulevard’, an entertainment venue occupied by 21 commercial outlets stretched over a1,000 sq m area.

When it rained in Qatar: A night ride in Doha rain, February 15, 2017.  Video by Jayan Orma

“Our trade and investment relationships continue to grow – you probably will not know that the first offshore oil concessions in Qatar were granted in 1949 to a Canadian Company,” Canadian ambassador Adrian Norfolk said in his speech at Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation celebration in Doha. The event was attended by Qatar's Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, American Affairs Department director Zayed bin Rashid al-Mansour al-Nuaimi, ambassadors from various missions in Doha, and other dignitaries. More than 60 Canadian companies and organisations are currently active in Qatar’s key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, defence and security, education, oil and gas, ICT, aerospace, and transportation.

The 10 edition of the Al Khor Fly in Day 2017, which concludes on February 11, 2017, features light and colourful aircraft such as autogyros, microlight aircraft, Cessna planes and helicopters. The annual event, which attracts a large number of visitors for two days every year, aims to raise awareness on aviation and promote it to young people as a hobby and sport. It also brings together pilots from different GCC countries to exchange ideas and share experiences. Video: Jayan Orma