Giant puppets performing a scene from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Shaival Dalal
DOHA: Giant puppets that tell the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves entertained thousands of visitors at Katara yesterday.
The classic children’s story taken from the medieval Arabic literature One Thousand and One Nights came alive with the characters in the form of puppets operated mechanically and hoisted in the air.
“It’s spectacular. I’ve never seen the story of Ali Baba projected in such a grand scale,” said Mahmoud, one of those in the audience.
Over a dozen performers, including acrobats, mesmerised the crowds as they played their roles from the story.
A gigantic donkey and bird, which looked real, were some of the characters which impressed the crowd who watched the hour-long show at Katara Esplanade.
A breathtaking 15-minute fireworks display capped the show which exuded a carnival atmosphere.
The event — the biggest show on the first day of Eid Al Adha — attracted thousands of people creating a long queue of vehicles from the InterContinental hotel area to the parking areas inside Katara.
Two shows, which are free, will be held every night until Friday; one from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and the other from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, followed by fireworks display.
The Peninsula
