Katara Traditional Dhow Festival starts tomorrow, celebrating maritime heritage

Doha, Qatar: The 14th Katara Traditional Dhow Festival will commence tomorrow and run until December 7 at the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara. This renowned cultural event celebrates the rich maritime heritage of the Gulf countries and beyond.

This year, the festival sees participation from a variety of countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, India, Tanzania, Iran, and Palestine, giving it an international flair and showcasing cultural and maritime diversity from around the world.

The festival includes an exciting array of activities and events, starting with marine art performances every Thursday and Friday. Visitors can also enjoy daily marine arts shows, such as Al Nahma, Al Fajri, and Omani maritime arts, which highlight the Gulf region’s rich cultural diversity.

Beyond the artistic performances, the festival will also feature daily cultural seminars from Saturday to Wednesday, where experts will discuss topics like maritime history, heritage, diving, navigation, and the region’s influence in maritime fields. Additionally, specialized workshops on shipbuilding and maintenance, the crafting of fishing tools like the hadra, as well as palm frond weaving, blacksmithing, and creating maritime-related handicrafts, will be offered.

The festival will also host a variety of marine competitions that simulate traditional seafaring activities. These include pearl diving, rowing, swordfishing, and the Senyar Family Competition, which invites families to participate in fun marine challenges.