Visitors flock to Katara Traditional Dhow Festival

Doha: With its diverse heritage pavilions and exciting activities, the 10th Katara Traditional Dhow Festival continues to attract many visitors.

The festival is being organised in compliance with the Ministry of Public Health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Qatar Red Crescent volunteers are ensuring adherence to health precautionary measures including mandatory Ehteraz clearance and social distancing.

Heritage pavilions from participating countries including Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, India and Tanzania are attracting many visitors.

Qatar’s pavilion Bayt Al-Ezwa has been divided into two parts: the diving section and the traditional fishing methods section including Al-Tawash and Al-Nakhudah, said Jassim Abdel-Rahman Al-Mannai.

“Six other types of traditional boats used in Qatar for deep sea diving, which are smaller than ships, called the Sanbuk and Gilboot, are also on display. Details of Qatari ships used for sea travel in olden times, including the owl and Al-Bateel are also showcased,” he added.

Further exploring Qatari deep sea diving culture, Qatar Museums have displayed models of boats used in the olden times.

Reda Moussa Al-Hajj, supervisor of the Heritage Boats Department at Qatar Museums, said, “We consider ourselves participants and contributors since the first edition of the festival. Every year we display historic boats but this year, we have restricted ourselves to some valuable heritage models which have ceased to exist now.

“These boats were used in the days of diving and old trade in addition to some original models which were made in Qatar. They exist from the time of the opening of the old museum and have been preserved as they are and are very rare.”

Kuwait has brought along a model of the ‘water ship’ used in Kuwait during the last century.

Explaining its importance, Mubarak Al-Khashdi, said, “In Kuwait, like the rest of the Gulf countries, water was scarce and they carried Shatt al-Arab (a water reservoir) on the ship, which the children of current generation do not know. This is an opportunity for them to learn about this.

“We are participating in the festival for the 10th year, and for me personally this is the third time. Our pavilion includes most of the old crafts by which Kuwaiti sailors used to make ships, using boxes and things that people used at home in the 40s.”

As for the response, he said, “A very good turnout of visitors. We are glad that everyone from all generations gets to learn about the heritage.”

The Tanzania tent is showcasing handicrafts and spices of the country.

Zamzam Hran, managing the pavilion, said, “We have presented various documentary photos from Zanzibar and from a number of traditional ports and connections with a number of Gulf countries that had trade relations with Zanzibar. We also have Zanzibar spices and some handicrafts that show our common heritage history with the region.”

Also a standout at the festival is the presence of artists painting the sea, boats, and live imagery.

Be a boat sailing in the sea, or a jet boat speeding in the waters or a child playing at the beach. Or even an abstract like a modern art. The canvas of these artists themselves is huge and diverse.

Russian artist Kristina Aladwan, Member of the Qatar Fine Arts Society, is attempting a large 3D art painting of a large traditional dhow.

Even as a lot of her work is on display alongside as a gallery, Kristina is painting outside in the open and keeps attracting onlookers and curious enquirers.

“Back here and painting I feel very good because things have started to get back to real life following the pandemic,” she says.

“It’s been five years for me since I have been painting the traditional Qatari boats and it is my favourite subject and that’s why I like to be at this festival each year. I am again hoping to complete a special painting from the imagery here by the time the festival nears end.

“What I try and do is capture all details visually and depict it as I paint. I try and create a 3D effect so that people can get a real feel of like how you would see something with your own eyes for real.

First, I make a sketch using pencils because each detail is to be looked at and after that I use colours just as they are in the original image.”

Similarly, attracting a lot of attention is Qatari artist Fouz Saif, a former member of Qatar Fine Arts Society.

Her painting initially looks like an architectural work or a sketch.

“I draw this using a charcoal. Actually this is a mixed method between charcoal and pastel,” she explains.

“It is special in a way. Because I am a pastel artist, I paint a lot of water pastels but this time at this festival I am using a different pastel.”

Fouz says a lot of visitors like the paintings and some even ask them to make similar paintings for them.

Meanwhile, the first of competitions – Hadaq Al Syf saw many registrations. This is a solo fishing competition in the sea. The biggest catch will be adjudged on the final day of the festival on Saturday.

The festival will continue to receive visitors from 10am to 10pm today and on Saturday. On Friday, it shall remain open from 1pm to 11pm.