DOHA: The second annual Leshta (Winter) Festival opened yesterday at Katara Esplanade with educational and awareness activities and entertainment for children and families.
Several centres and institutions are taking part in the five-day event, including Childhood Cultural Centre, Doha Youth Centre, Qatar Heritage and Identity Centre, Al Gannas Association, Al Ghalayel Championship, Katara Cultural Market, Bin Muftah Medical Polyclinic, Al Adam Harley Group and traditional bands.
Opening the festival in the morning, Katara General Manager, Dr Al Khalid Ibrahin Al Sulaiti, said following the success of the first edition last year which was warmly received by the public, Katara was encouraged to organise the second edition with events and activities focusing on education, awareness and entertainment.
The inaugural festival had attracted 146,840 visitors of different nationalities in various age groups.
Dr Al Sulaiti said Katara is keen to involve all families in such cultural and educational events which mainly target children.
Abdulrahman bin Jassin Al Tamimi, Chairman of the festival organising committee, said the second edition has more events and activities, including the cultural market, dhad events, dissemination of information on winter diseases and healthy food this season provided by Bin Muftah Medical Centre.
He urged the public to take part in the festival which coincides with school vacation.
Childhood Cultural Centre is participating with a small village of five houses and activities and showcases to match children’s interests and age.
Qatar Heritage and Identity Centre is presenting a theatrical play on winter in Qatar and the people’s interest in stars, their locations and effects on their daily lives.
It aims to remind people of Qatari traditional life and documenting their social history. The centre is also organising traditional games and competitions for children.
Science and skills-based workshops to improve children’s knowledge are being held along with those on agriculture in which children are taught how to identify seeds and their uses in addition to steps and tools in agriculture.
Story-reading sessions and traditional games are held and visitors are introduced to traditional Qatari and Arab cuisine.
Children enjoy sand sculptures from 3pm to 5pm throughout the festival, the top five of which will receive prizes.
There are Arabic games in which children are to assemble alphabets and images.
Katara FM Radio is organising a contest for the public until tomorrow from 4pm to 5pm. Questions about Katara are asked and those who get correct answers receive prizes.
There is an exhibition on homing pigeons to remind the people of the importance of their importance through the ages in Arab societies.
The term ‘Leshta’ is traditionally used to mean winter people eagerly anticipate to engage in activities, including desert trips for hunting and entertainment.
The Peninsula
