Traditional songs enthral visitors at spring festival

The Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 continues to attract thousands of visitors who throng the various shows organised as part of the annual celebration.
A number of Arab musicians enthralled a huge number of spectators with a series of traditional songs using their violin and uniquely designed guitar.
The 15-day festival dedicated most of the stage shows for cultural performances to highlight Qatar’s rich history and heritage.
In festive mood for the past 13 days, Souq Waqif provided a much-needed relief for residents who spent the day there with their loved ones, friends and colleagues. The event will conclude tomorrow.
Long queues of visitors could be seen waiting outside a huge tent set up by Sout Al Rayyan to see their favourite Arab celebrities perform on stage.
Those outside the tent had a chance to watch the artistes on a widescreen.
Several food outlets, which offer a variety of dishes, snacks and sweets, also served as attractions to many people.
One of the main highlights – the Giant Fountain Circus – captivated the crowd with various stunts and acrobats. Shows start at 3.30pm and continue until 10pm.
Other major attractions included the Souq Waqif Dome which screens short animated films such as Pangea, The Alchemist’s Letter, Tuurngait and Ruin, mostly for children.
Organisers have urged residents to watch and take part in some of the workshops and forums at the Souq Waqif Art Centre. The Centre regularly invites artists to exhibit their masterpieces.
At the Souq Waqif park, a number of uniquely-dressed Harlequin stilts, LED stilt walkers and Stilt Butterflies entertain passersby. The park’s 2,400-capacity underground parking provides enough slots to motorists, easing traffic flow in the area. From the basements, visitors can take elevators or stairs to reach the venue.
Some of the visitors said they used to struggle to find parking slots before, wasting more than an hour or so before they could watch the shows.
The park,  which opened last year, also attracts many people with its various features such as fitness machines, grassy areas for picnics, dancing fountain, play area for children, eatery and a mini amphitheatre for small shows and activities.
Located a few metres from Souq Waqif, visitors normally stay at the park in the afternoon before watching the shows at the festival.