DOHA: The second Halal Qatar festival has been attracting visitors to some unique events such as animal auctions and breed and beauty competitions since it opened on Friday.
Festival Director Mohammed Al Kulaifi said more and more people are coming to the event which aims to revive Qatar’s animal trade and educate the young generation on this important aspect of their heritage.
He said the festival is hosting educational institutions to introduce this aspect of Qatari heritage, showing them the life of their forefathers.
Yesterday’s competitions on the best breed and most beautiful animal attracted a big crowd. Fifty-two animals from GCC countries in addition to four from Qatar entered various categories of the competition yesterday.
Categories included the most virile local and GCC animal, the most beautiful lamb, and the best breed. Up to QR100,000 was given to the winners of the competitions judged by a three-member panel
Other attractions at the 10-day festival are a showcase of the process of making dairy products and turning sheep’s wool into various products.
Old Qatari houses which showcase traditional life in Qatar, an old souq and hospitality tents that serve traditional foods and Arabic coffee and a play area for children can also be found at the festival.
The old souq offers a wide array of traditional products such as Arabic perfumes, Arabian swords, traditional Qatari dresses, gypsum miniature artworks, Qatari heritage boxes, tools used in falconry, paintings, honey and pickled food products.
The festival is open to the public until March 31 from 10am to 10pm. Auctions are held after 3.30pm.
The Peninsula
