The Cultural Village Foundation-Katara is gearing up to host the first edition of Katara International Falcon and Hunting Exhibition next month.
The festival, which will be held from September 20 to 24, has attracted numerous institutes specializing in falconry and hunting, guaranteeing visitors a unique opportunity to get up-close and observe birds of prey.
The festival reflects Katara’s keenness to preserve and promote Qatar’s rich culture and heritage by providing a world-class platform for enthusiasts and practitioners of falconry and associated activities.
Commenting on the exhibition, Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, outlined Katara’s role in supporting traditional events and activities. He pointed out that such endeavors are significant as they encourage the bond between Qataris and their environment and heritage, while at the same time passing on authentic cultural values and traditions to the upcoming generation of young Qataris.
He said, “Katara works eagerly to shed light on Qatar’s identity, through its festivals, competitions and events. It also conveys a vivid picture of Qatar’s heritage by highlighting and presenting its unique aspects to a non-Qatari audience, both inside and outside of Qatar. Investing in culture is one of Katara’s objectives and one of its most important challenges, as it calls for investing in innovative activities that enrich the Qatari cultural scene and stimulate tourism.
“We expect that the first edition of the exhibition will witness a wide range of local and international participants, as this sport is considered to be the passion of many. The fact that it is held in Katara, is a matter of pride for us, as it will enhance the reputation of the Village. Katara is already renowned for its heritage-based activities and has successfully made its presence felt in the tourism-heritage market, in the region and beyond. By hosting this exhibition, we expect to attract diverse sectors, such as institutes that promote heritage, culture and tourism, and commercial organisations.”
He pointed out that necessary coordination has been held with a number of competent authorities in Qatar such as the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Municipality and the Environment and the General Authority of Customs to provide all facilities essential to traders, falconers’ and hunting weapons institutes.
It aims to support various cultural, sport and commercial sectors in hunting and falconry. In addition, the exhibition hopes to boost mutually beneficial relationships between amateur and veteran falcon handlers and traders, as well as to explore products and services that attract the youth towards this heritage sport.
The event will witness activities like aerial shooting by Qatar Shooting Association and archery by Qatar Olympic Committee. Al-Rami Sports Club, which is associated with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, will present shooting events such as duck, deer, and rabbit shooting.
The Shooting Club will also provide a specialized team to greet the public and introduce them to all shooting aspects throughout the duration of the exhibition.
The exhibition is scheduled to be held at building 12 at Katara’s Wisdom Square.
