Sipping coffee in one of the cafés along Souq Waqif’s alley, Algerian expatriate Sofian enjoyed watching groups of performers roving around the venue to entertain families and children.
“It is good, and it always amazes me and my family especially with all these attractions that fascinate young children,” he said, while walking towards Al Ahmed Square (Souq Waqif’s amusement park) for the cultural shows.
An expatriate in Qatar for seven years, Sofian finds time to explore the city especially during winter when many of the festivals take place at various locations in Doha.
He visits popular tourist and family destinations such as Souq Waqif just to feel the festive environment that many people want to experience after a busy week.
The annual festival has seen a continuous influx of domestic and foreign visitors since day one (January 19), according to organisers who expect more people to come until the last day on February 3.
Each stage, set up across the venue, hosts groups of performers, from various GCC and Middle East countries, entertaining the crowd with their traditional songs and dances.
During the break time, visitors try to look for something to eat at several restaurants and stalls while others prefer to take their children to the dolphin show or the amusement rides.
Brazilian expatriate Nicole, who comes from Santa Catarina, told Gulf Times that she finds the festival appealing.
“I like the Arabic culture very much because it has a lot of good things that I cannot simply put into words,” she said. “It is very unique.”
Nicole added that she also loves to see locals enjoying the celebration, a scene (in festive mood) that is similar to many of Brazil’s festivals and events.
“Another one is the funny part of the performances, we enjoyed it a lot,” she stressed. “We also have many traditional performances in Brazil.”
Nicole finds the festival attractive to families and friends, a reason for bringing her parents to Souq Waqif.
Like Souq Waqif in Doha, Souq Al Wakrah is also hosting a similar spring festival, which is attracting a large number of visitors.
Several entertainment and traditional activities that highlight Qatar’s rich cultural heritage are taking place at the event.
“It is good, and it always amazes me and my family especially with all these attractions that fascinate young children,” he said, while walking towards Al Ahmed Square (Souq Waqif’s amusement park) for the cultural shows.
An expatriate in Qatar for seven years, Sofian finds time to explore the city especially during winter when many of the festivals take place at various locations in Doha.
He visits popular tourist and family destinations such as Souq Waqif just to feel the festive environment that many people want to experience after a busy week.
The annual festival has seen a continuous influx of domestic and foreign visitors since day one (January 19), according to organisers who expect more people to come until the last day on February 3.
Each stage, set up across the venue, hosts groups of performers, from various GCC and Middle East countries, entertaining the crowd with their traditional songs and dances.
During the break time, visitors try to look for something to eat at several restaurants and stalls while others prefer to take their children to the dolphin show or the amusement rides.
Brazilian expatriate Nicole, who comes from Santa Catarina, told Gulf Times that she finds the festival appealing.
“I like the Arabic culture very much because it has a lot of good things that I cannot simply put into words,” she said. “It is very unique.”
Nicole added that she also loves to see locals enjoying the celebration, a scene (in festive mood) that is similar to many of Brazil’s festivals and events.
“Another one is the funny part of the performances, we enjoyed it a lot,” she stressed. “We also have many traditional performances in Brazil.”
Nicole finds the festival attractive to families and friends, a reason for bringing her parents to Souq Waqif.
Like Souq Waqif in Doha, Souq Al Wakrah is also hosting a similar spring festival, which is attracting a large number of visitors.
Several entertainment and traditional activities that highlight Qatar’s rich cultural heritage are taking place at the event.
