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Qatar tribune
Tribune news network
Doha
The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival hit a vibrant note on the first weekend of its 9th edition with thousands swarming the esplanade by the beach.
A large number of visitors, including families of various nationalities, watched cultural shows, savoured cuisines, enjoyed music and dances, shopped and took dhow cruises on Thursday and Friday.
The festival this year, which has a more colourful look, is being held over two weeks from December 3 to 6 and is open from 9am to 12 noon, and from 3pm to 10pm on all days.
Friday evening in particular saw the festival being flocked by people from all walks of life. Pavilions of several countries recalling history and displaying maritime tradition, culture, clothes, cuisine and music were very busy, each with their distinct style and fervour.
The Qatari sea tradition along with the nation’s historical progress has been expansively detailed with absorbing facts, while the fishing and sea-diving culture is vividly represented.
The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, and the Qatar pavilion (located exactly at the beach front centre) digs deep into the rich national past and into the distinction of Qatari culture.
The search for oysters, and the pearl trade thereafter, the noble deeds of people who believed in goodness, charity and generosity, caring of the poor, their biographies, the landmark buildings and how they have come about – have all been displayed in great providing for inviting visit and study.
The finely-chiselled and gleaming traditional dhow boats lined all across, and the traditional fishermen sewing fishing nets, the traditional fish and trade market of the past have all come alive and people could been exploring information.
From the overseas, Italy with its Casa Italia pavilion has brought along a dedicated section of Sardenia and its now world famous tuna, and the clothing culture. Their music and food (pasta and pizza), however, has a big hit too with the visitors.
Also, traditionally-dressed ladies making pita (bread) were a big attraction.
Spain has brought along a moving culture of using recyclable goods from the sea in this day and age of climate change. A lot of locals in particular were interested here.
The spectacularly boat-shaped tent of Greece, which has been designed and installed this year by the Greek Society of Doha “Desmos”, has also been attracting many.
Their music shows with tunes of mamma mia and other hit numbers regale audiences in the afternoon while lively music in the evenings is making visitors join in for dance revelry.
While Qatar and some Arabic countries may share the same culture, their traditions have been different. As such, Kuwait is displaying their distinct pearl culture “Al Tawasha”. Also how they nurture pearl, not like gold or diamond, but in a different new way.
The making of Omani “halwa” had numerous women and men interested to see why and how this sweet was so traditionally different.
The festival swung into its various competitions from Saturday, while school visits have been lined for Sunday.

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07/12/2019
2096