Sixth Katara Dhow Festival launched

Over 100 Arabian boats of varying types and sizes moored at Katara Beach provided hundreds of visitors a glimpse into the ancient Gulf maritime heritage at the sixth edition of Katara Traditional Dhow Festival which launched yesterday.
Arabic songs performed by folkloric bands dressed in traditional attire evoked a festive atmosphere at the opening of the festival led by the Minister of Culture and Sports
H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Katara General Manager Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani. “The sixth Traditional Dhow Festival is the fruit of its previous successful editions that were attended by huge crowds and competition participants,” said Al Sulaiti, adding that what makes this edition special is the announcement of Fath Al-Khair 3 voyage that revives the ancestors’ seafaring tradition.
He stressed that maritime heritage has been an integral element of the culture of Qatar and other Gulf states, thus Katara is keen in fostering and supporting this authentic tradition inherited from the forefathers. Festival organiSing committee head Ahmad Al Hitmi, said that apart from the announcement of the third edition of Fath Al-Khair 3, this edition is special because of the unique competitions, some of which are new to this year’s festival programme.
A major highlight of the festival, traditional maritime competitions including Al Haddaq, dhow loader and Alghazl began yesterday. Other competitions Al Lafah, pearl diving, rowing and Al Nahmah will be held in the coming days. Other featured activities which run parallel with the festival include folkloric performances, Daloub operetta, boat trips, traditional café, fish market and crafts. The festival provides visitors a peek into the ancient maritime industry which includes, among others, dhow making, shellfish splitting and production of sails, traps, fishing nets and other fishing and pearl diving tools and equipment. The dhow exhibition is open from 9am to 12 noon and 3.30pm to 10pm today, tomorrow and on Saturday and on Friday from 3.30pm to 10pm. Morning field trips are scheduled for students of Independent and international schools.
Dhow trips are available to visitors from 3pm to 9pm from The Pearl (Gate 1) to Katara Beach and vice versa. Held under the patronage of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival primarily aims to promote awareness of the rich maritime legacy of Qatar.