Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, during a visit to the second Traditional Dhow Festival organised by the Cultural Village at Katara.
DOHA: Thousands of people visited the second annual Traditional Dhow Festival which culminated yesterday at the Katara Beach.
AbdulRahman AlKhulaifi, President of Katara said: “The Second Annual Dhow Festival was extremely successful among both local Qataris and expatriates alike. Thousands of people came to join the cultural activities which celebrate our cultural heritage and honours the brave men who shared their secrets of the sea, providing a window in to the past. We look forward to welcoming the dhows to Qatar’s shores again next year.”
Held under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the event brought together 100 Dhows from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman.
A key highlight of the Second Annual Dhow Festival was the Pearl diving competition which was won by Al Rayyan from Qatar for collecting the most pearls.
Visitors were entertained by a variety of activities including, a light show, a rowing competition, performances of traditional music by renowned regional bands, dhow cruises, fireworks, children’s workshops and museum displays from galleries across the Gulf. Additionally a series of lectures on the history of the Dhow provided visitors with a deeper understanding of the dhow trade. A library offering further anecdotes of information was also made available to visitors in Katara’s Traditional Village.
“We are extremely pleased with the positive response we have received for the Dhow Festival. It has been truly inspiring to see people of all ages and races come together and engage in the variety of unique activities on offer. We would especially like to thank our sponsors, Barwa Real Estate Group, Qatar Airways, Seashore Group and Katara. We would also like to thank the honorable men who dedicated their lives to diving the seas in search of pearls,” said Ahmed Al Hitmi, Dhow Festival Committee Manager.
“The Second Annual Dhow Festival reflects the heritage and history of the Qatari people who experienced the period of prosperity as a result of the harsh desert environment.
The Festival honours the importance of the seas in Qatari culture, the pearl diving era reflects our heritage and to this day we still value the significance of our waters. The festival communicates this heritage through various traditional and cultural performances. It is a way to connect the Qatari people with their past and traditions,” said Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara.
The Peninsula
