Hend M Al Thawadi, Al Ghorrah Project Manager and Engagement and Activation Lead, QF
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts is set to be a hub to promote cultural diversity over five days in Education City.
The first edition of the event will feature musical and theatrical performances, poetry and storytelling recitals, workshops, lectures, and culinary experiences between November 28 and December 2 at Education City’s Oxygen Park.
“At Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts we hope to review the culture within the common society of Qatar. So it goes beyond QF, our target audience is the general public. We bring in all the different cultures to celebrate our differences and similarities,” Hend M Al Thawadi, Al Ghorrah Project Manager and Engagement and Activation Lead, QF, told The Peninsula yesterday on the sidelines of a press conference.
“This year we focus on the art of manuscripts mainly because we see the value of manuscripts in preserving the history and culture of different people,” she added.
Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts is sponsored by Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM).
“Through this collaboration, we are working to establish a platform that not only celebrates artistic expression, but also encourages the exchange of ideas and traditions, ultimately building bridges between communities and deepening our shared cultural understanding,” said Programmes Manager at DAAM, Hassan Yousef Al Obaidli.
Al Ghorrah partners include Qatar Calendar, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Al Ghorrah also focuses on nurturing a culture of arts and literature within schools and helping students stay connected to their culture and heritage. Eighteen schools are taking part in a competition inspired by books. Shortlisted schools will audition in front of a panel of judges, and the top four performances will be selected to participate in Al Ghorrah.
“Our partnership with Qatar Foundation for the Al Ghorrah event reflects our joint commitment to supporting the arts and reinforcing the values of culture and art within the educational community,” said Visual Arts and Drama Supervision Consultant, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Kholoud Al Kuwari.
School students will also take part in poetry readings and theatrical performances as part of the event.
Performing Arts Coordinator, Pre-University Education (PUE), QF, Aisha Al Sultan said, “By engaging in the arts, students form a deeper connection to their cultural heritage, discovering the values and stories that shape their identity. Our goal is to inspire learning beyond the classroom, cultivating minds that appreciate the beauty and power of the arts as essential to personal growth and understanding the world around them.”
Musical performances, including by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Mustafa Said, Dana Al Fardan and Nasser Al Jassim will also feature during the event.
Specialised workshops, such as bookmark-making and binding, miniature painting, and calligraphy, as well as lectures, interactive events, storytelling sessions, and culinary experiences featuring the flavours of countries, including Egypt, Iran, and Syria will also be part of Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts.
Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased at https://educationcity.qa/al-ghorrah
