Doha: More than 5,000 members of the local community took part in Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Garangao festivities at Al Shaqab on Friday.
As part of its commitment to preserve Qatar’s heritage, QF upholds national traditions by providing a year-round calendar of cultural activities.
During the fun-filled evening that celebrated youth and the richness of Qatari culture, families enjoyed a wide range of activities, including traditional Arabic games for children, arts and crafts, pony rides and storytelling sessions, and the chance to try popular Qatari dishes.
The Indoor Arena of Al Shaqab provided an ideal location to entertain and culturally-engage visitors after having been transformed into an atmospheric venue representative of Garangao’s rich cultural roots and traditions.
The activities also provided an opportunity for QF’s entities to celebrate and interact with the local community. Qatar Solar Technology (QSTec) facilitated creative lantern making sessions using solar panels, and the Quranic Botanic Garden (QBG) offered visitors planting activities, 3D puzzles and virtual reality games.
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) offered activities such as ‘The Operation’, which taught children about medicine and the human body, and ‘Grow It Yourself’ activity that enabled children to plant seeds and understand nature better.
In addition, Qatar National Library (QNL) produced a popular puppet show and storytelling session, while Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) offered virtual reality games, arts and crafts, and displayed a sustainability presentation.
Adding to the excitement, free horse-related activities were provided by Al Shaqab such as a mechanical bucking horse and pony rides which brought Qatar’s equestrian heritage to a young audience, inspiring children to take an interest in equestrian sport.
Several National Reading Campaign activities were also held at the popular spot in front of the ‘Reading Truck’. Children were able to read at the ‘Book Hangout’, make bookmarks, play games and solve puzzles together.
Aspire Zone Foundation
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is welcoming families to its second annual Garangao celebration at Freej Aspire today.
The evening marks a high point of the second week of activities taking place at Freej Aspire, and builds on the incredible success and popularity of the first week.
The Garangao celebration is a long-standing Qatari tradition that takes place at the midpoint of Ramadan. Garangao rewards fasting children with various sweets and treats to motivate and encourage them to complete their religious duty and to continue to fast during the remainder of the Holy Month.
During the evening, groups of children in traditional dress will make their way around Freej Aspire and receive candy and other Garangao gifts while singing the traditional Garangao song. The custom of children visiting their neighbours, singing and receiving treats at this time of year is an important part of Qatari cultural heritage.
The evening also features a unique programme of activity and includes several children’s shows taking place on the Freej Aspire stage, adding to the unforgettable experience for visitors. Youngsters will have the opportunity to see a magic show, a puppet show and there will be various competitions and awards.
For the first time this year, there is a corner of Freej Aspire dedicated to traditional Qatari games as well as a Henna station where visitors can have henna designs applied to their hands – all part of the effort to further celebrate and revive authentic Qatari traditions and heritage.
Freej Aspire is the perfect destination for families to enjoy Garangao as it recreates the design of traditional Qatari neighbourhoods and is the perfect celebration of local culture and heritage.
This year, Aspire Zone Foundation has extended the areas in the Freej Aspire dedicated to children and family sports in order to give greater numbers of parents and their children the opportunity to practice their favourite sports. The children’s play area includes miniature fields and courts for basketball, football and volleyball.
Cultural and entertainment activities include cartoon shows and workshops in Arabic calligraphy and graffiti which all contribute to Aspire Zone Foundation’s efforts to revive and celebrate traditional Qatari heritage and culture with members of the local community during the Holy Month.
The Peninsula
