Doha, Qatar: The vibrant cultural and artistic atmosphere continues at Katara Cultural Village, where the fourth day of the Qatar International Arts Festival (QIAF 2025) witnessed a strong public turnout.
The day coincided with the launch of the “Al-Dhad” events, celebrating the Arabic language and its arts from 10 to 20 December at Katara’s Creativity Square.
More than 500 artists from around the world are participating in the Festival, which continues for its fourth consecutive day. Among the activities are live painting workshops that allow the public to follow the creative process firsthand and interact with the artists as they work. The workshop is taking place in the halls of Building 12 at Katara, with the participation of a distinguished group of visual artists. Each artist works on a canvas in front of the audience in an interactive artistic experience that showcases the stages of creation moment by moment.
In this context, Jordanian artist Abeer Awad presented a live artwork titled Sustainability and the Birth of a New World, exploring the complex relationship between technology, humanity and nature.
Awad said, “I chose a theme that preoccupies the world today: Will technology put pressure on human life? Will humanity survive amidst this tremendous development?” She continued, “I tried to integrate technology, nature and humanity. Mother is the foundation of life, and the jasmine in the painting reminds us that hope remains despite rapid urban development.”
Ukrainian artist Lyudmila Stepanyan, participating for the first time in a live painting event at an international festival, commented, “I learned new techniques and presented my own style to the audience. This is my first experience painting on canvas instead of paper, and it was a wonderful opportunity for inspiration and the exchange of experiences.”
Qatari artist Amal Al-Abdullah, who chose to depict local heritage, added, “In my painting, I portrayed a woman wearing a traditional dress and a headdress adorned with jasmine, a symbol of the Qatari environment and the concept of sustainability. I wanted to connect identity, heritage and environmental awareness within a contemporary context.”
The “Al-Dhad” programme includes children’s competitions in Arabic language, oratory, recitation and classical poetry; Arabic calligraphy workshops presented by calligrapher Nasser Al-Hamawi; and an art exhibition featuring works in Arabic calligraphy, typography and visual arts.
The events are open daily from 3pm to 9pm in an interactive atmosphere that combines visual arts with Arabic calligraphy.
