Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, has announced that it is organising a series of Community Fairs as part of its community engagement initiative.
The first Al Shaqab Community Fair will be held from February 11 to 17 on the first floor of the Al Shaqab Outdoor Arena Concourse, from 9am to 5pm except on Friday, February 16, when it will take place from 3pm to 7pm.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) and the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), the inaugural Al Shaqab Community Fair will feature products of Qatar, namely honey, flowers and Kanar, the fruit of the Sidra tree, Al Shaqab has said in a statement.
The Sidra tree and its fruit are iconic symbols of the country’s heritage, and are related to the Qatari culture having grown in the deserts of Qatar for generations, the statement notes.
Part of the objective of the Community Fair is to educate children on these indigenous products of Qatar. Towards this end, some workshops will be conducted by QBG and the MME for the duration of the event.
Al Shaqab said the event will coincide with the 27th Qatar International Show (February 11 and 12), Qatar National Sport Day (February 13) and Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour (February 16 and 17). As such, visitors will not only be able to enjoy the Community Fair but also have the opportunity to watch or participate in the other events taking place at Al Shaqab, the statement notes.
Al Shaqab executive director Khalifa al-Attiya said, “Through such community engagement initiatives, Al Shaqab hopes to welcome the general public and not just equestrian enthusiasts to our facility. I am also heartened by the support of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and the Qur’anic Botanic Garden in supporting our community fair by conducting workshops, which encourage learning outcomes for all participants.”
The workshops to be held on the occasion are as follows:
Workshop 1: Journey Into Flowers, from 10am to 11am daily except on Friday, February 16, when it will be held from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The organisers describe the workshop as a “journey to explore the parts of flowers, an unforgettable experience for students, children and families”.
Using the magnifying glass and special microscope, visitors will see the pollen grains, anther and stigma of flowers “up, close and personal”. The workshop will also provide visitors with a clear view of the process of pollination where pollens are transferred from the anthers to the stigma, creating offspring for the next generation.
Workshop 2: Future Proofing – Growing Plants for Qatar, from 11am to 12 noon daily except on Friday, February 16, when it takes place from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. “Have you grown a plant before? From cleaning the air to cooling the city and streets, visitors will discover the limitless benefits of plants to our environment, community and heritage,” the organisers said, describing the workshop. With the support of the MME and QBG, Al Shaqab has invited people to get a hands-on opportunity to grow plants and take them home.
In addition to the workshops, children will be able to participate in a Flower Planting Competition. Prizes will be awarded to the best-growing plant two weeks after the end of the Community Fair.
Also, as part of the event, bouncing castles and pony rides will be available for children to enjoy their day at Al Shaqab.
Admission is free and all are welcome, the statement adds.
