By Sidi Mohamed
DOHA: A large umber of people descended on the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, yesterday, which came alive with a host of exciting activities as part of National Day celebrations.
The events continue today as well making it a two-day celebrations. An incredible more than 48 events are lined up for today and are being held in association with different local public and private entities, among them, institutions, authorities and associations.
A military parade staged by the Emiri Guard at Katara Esplanade was a key attraction of the National Day events on the first day of the celebrations.
Senior officials in the Emir Guard headed the 50 member’s musical band and 24 members’ artillery, and a cavalry of 12 members followed them.
Hundreds of people lined up at both sides of the picturesque Katara Esplanade and greeted the soldiers staging the parade by excitedly waving to them and chanting patriotic slogans praising their beloved homeland and its eminent leadership.
The musical programme presented by the band at the Amphitheatre was witnessed by a large number of people who thronged at the venue. The music reflected the patriotic flavour which was enthusiastically welcomed by the audience which indulged in thunderous applause at regular intervals.
The most attractive event held this year as part of the National Day celebrations at Katara was the one held yesterday for honour the iconic Qatari singer, Mohammad Al Sai, who had first introduced the Qatari Patriotic song ‘My Beloved Qatar’.
In addition, the legendary song’s musician Abdulaziz Nasser Al Obaidan and its writer Abdullah Al Hammadi, were also felicitated yesterday evening at Katara Amphitheatre.
In his address on the occasion, Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti , General Manager of Katara, said that “honouring of these icons is to appreciate their creating such a legendary patriotic song which is still so popular, particularly in schools where it is sung almost every day”.
Al Sulaiti added: “I am really pleased to honour the Qatari musicians who paid such a lovely homage to their homeland. Katara has always been a patron of talented people and now it is providing tribute to the poets and supporting creative people who have highlighted in their works the rich tradition of Qatar.”
Highlighting the rich traditions of Qatar, a ceremonial military reception was given to the student-sailors led by a student-caption from the Qatar Leadership Academy.
Brigadier General at Qatar Leadership Academy, Ali Ahmad al Kuwari, said: “I am really proud to witness the achievement of our students who have made these initiatives to revive our heritage that stress the sense of belonging to our identity and illustrate their leadership skills”
A large number of people, including from different expatriate communities, also descended on Katara to witness the events.
The shops at this “temporary village” showcased the great traditions and culture of Qatar. The shops offered antique pieces of electronic equipment; leather goods, teleprinters, cameras and many other items and they reminded the visitors of Qatar’s glorious past and the life in the days gone-by.
The eateries at the village not only offered several traditional Qatari cuisines but also a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes from different parts of the world. Some stalls put on sale hand-woven shawls and caps which were sold like hot cakes.
Like the previous years, children were a priority for Katara so much focus was there on their entertainment. The opportunity offered for talents inspired even small children to perform on stage, which is specially made for them.
The other attractive events at Katara included tours of Katara Esplanade on horseback and some international and national musical shows and para-trooping show by the Armed Forces.
A series of exciting programme is also lined up for today, the second and the last day of the celebrations.
The Peninsula
