DOHA: Georgetown University’s (GU) Qatari Student Association (Al Liwan) hosted the Education City and local community for its Qatar National Day Heritage Festival on the school campus, where traditional food as well as arts and cultural performances were at the heart of the fun and educational event.
The festival is held early every year because the university is closed for winter break in December.
“The National Day Vision is to strengthen solidarity, loyalty and pride in national identity. Inspiration, participation, creativity, integrity and transparency are National Day values and represent what we aim to achieve in this year’s celebration. The festival is not only for Qataris but also for students, staff, faculty and anyone who wants to know more about our culture and heritage,” said event organiser Haya Al Kuwari majoring in Culture and Politics and founder of Al Liwan, the Qatari student club. “Many people have been here for a few months such as exchange students and visiting faculty and never really get the chance to interact with locals.
“They might not get opportunity to experience our culture and traditions or know about the country’s history.”
In Oxygen Park, the rolling green lawns that surround the GU’s Education City building, a stage was set up for performances by local Qataris who volunteered services for the festival. Performances began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by a Qatari student, followed by the national anthem. Qatari poet Hamad Al Buraidi, artist Nasser Al Kubaisi and musicians Abdulla Al Najar and Yassine Ayari on the oud and from Qatar Music Academy, artist Dham Al Kuwari and Kanun player Essa Aldosseri took part. The last cultural performance was a traditional sword dance.
Visitors enjoyed other highlights such as a photo booth featuring traditional costumes and scenery, Qatari graffiti artist Mubarak Al Malik who demonstrated Arabic art, and a mini gallery for works of Qatari artist Moza Al Kuwari and Qatari cartoonist Abdulaziz Yousef.
A modern tent with majlis invited everyone to relax on textile cushions where traditional horsemanship gear was displayed on loan from Al Enna, a Souq Waqif vendor specialising in traditional Qatari tents and other equipment. Other vendors were Karak Maganees, altseenat café (90’s café), Glamour hospitality, My Mini Pony, Alsumu and others. A Qatari craftsman carved model dhows and henna artists created beautiful designs on visitors’ hands.
The Peninsula
