DOHA: Katara is celebrating Garangao on Saturday with activities for children.
Over 20,000 children participated in last year’s Garangao activities organised by Katara to remind the new generation of their tradition and history.
Garangao night also aims at reminding Katara visitors of the heritage GCC countries share.
It is one of the traditional events celebrated across the GCC on the 14th day of Ramadan, during which children move around neighbourhoods, singing Garangao songs and collecting sweets and nuts. The name of the night varies from one country to another. In the UAE, it is called ‘Haq Allayla’, in Oman ‘Al Tulba’, in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait ‘Al Karkayat’ and in Qatar and Bahrain ‘Garangao.’
Events start at 7pm in front of the amphitheatre and the beach.
They include activities, including a children’s library to teach kids how to deal with books and prepare library cards and albums.
Discussion and reading panels will be a vital part of the programme along with educational and entertaining games. There will also be an area for traditional food and handicraft.
A children’s play will be presented at Katara Opera House and a special screening of Pascal Plisson’s documentary On the Way to School will be held at Katara Drama Theatre at 10pm.
The touching and inspiring film follows children from Argentina, India, Kenya and Morocco and the heroic lengths they go to get to school.
Doha Film Institute (DFI) and Education Above All (EAA) are hosting the screening.
Both are also organising Garangao activities at Building 12 from 8pm. These include face painting, traditional henna art, giveaways and a special green screen movie experience.
“We are delighted to once again partner with EAA to highlight the important work it is doing to improve the lives of children all over the world.
“Cinema can open a window to the lives of people and as we come together to celebrate Garangao, we hope that the screening will entertain and enlighten our community on this special day,” said DFI’s Director of Ajyal Youth Film Festival and Programmes, Fatma Al Remaihi.
EAA Deputy CEO, Fahad Al Sulaiti, said, “In partnership with DFI to celebrate Garangao, we view the opportunity to screen On the way to School as befitting as the film aligns our organisations through its storyline.”
Free rides to and from Katara are available using the Uber mobile app.
Participants can download the app from uber.com/app and enter the promotional code ‘GarangaoDFI’ when booking their ride. The Peninsula
