QU event to showcase Qatar culture, heritage

The Qatar University will celebrate the National Day on December 16 from 2pm with an array of events reflecting the country’s culture, heritage and traditions from a bygone era.Organised by the Student Activities Department with 150 volunteer students, the afternoon of celebrations will feature a packed programme of activities which will take place in the stadium on the campus.The free, interactive event, open to the public, will include actors dressed in costumes from the past, re-enacting scenes of traditional Qatari life and explaining what they are doing.  Visitors can learn about how fishermen made their nets, the making of traditional tents, how ladies mixed henna paste and how furniture of the past was constructed. There will be a fashion show of Qatari dress from across the ages, an opportunity to take part in games popular in the past, displays of horse riding and classic cars and performances of traditional sword dances (Ardah). Guests can sample Qatari food as they walk through the exhibition, with an opportunity to buy more modern National Day souvenirs in preparation for the official day of celebrations on December 18.There will also be poetry recitations and Qur’an readings, while children from Um al-Amad Primary Independent school for Girls and Al-Muthana Primary Independent School for Boys will participate in a modern Qatari performance.  Vice president for Student Affairs Dr Omar al-Ansari said: “The students have been working tirelessly for months to put on what promises to be a real spectacle and a chance for us all to enjoy traditional Qatari culture, sports and traditions.“As well as putting on a fantastic family day, the preparations have given students a real sense of community engagement as well as invaluable experience in teamwork, event management and leadership. All of these skills will serve them well in their future.”The programmes include horse and classic car show (3.30 to 3.45pm and 5.15 to 5.30pm), traditional sports (4.30-5pm), poetry session (5.30-6.30pm), ‘In love with Qatar’ performance (6.30-7pm) and Qatari Ardah (traditional sword dance) from 7pm to 8pm.The publicity poster for the event was painted by QU staff member Abdulaziz Sadeq.