Officials of Katara and Qatar Center for Dhows at the press briefing yesterday.
DOHA: Katara will soon establish the Qatar Center for Dhows, a research centre dedicated to the preservation of dhow and its promotion in Qatar’s current and future generations.
The General Director of Culture at Katara, Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, announced this yesterday at a press conference attended by representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage.
“Our grandfathers relied on the dhow for their livelihood, much as we rely on our hydrocarbon resources for today’s income. Therefore, the establishment of the centre ensures that generations to come will pay tribute to this important aspect of our traditions, heritage, and history,” said Dr Al Sulaiti.
He stressed the important role the dhow has played in history “as a means of transporting goods, as a platform for pearl-diving, and as a cultural icon; thus, the centre will document the history of the dhow, preserving archives and stories, and serve as an information centre for Qataris and tourists alike.”
“We thank Katara for this generous and important initiative to preserve our history and heritage. We hope that this centre will be a good addition to our rich culture. We will work hard to reflect the bright image of our history and our grandfathers’ life in all its difficulties and toughness,” said Jassem Mohammed Al Ali of the Qatar Center for Dhows.
The Qatar Center for Dhows will exhibit different traditional sailing techniques that were used by Qataris in the past, including serdal, nawktha, and maqdami, and will document the day-to-day life of the sailors and their practices. Their stories, and the story of the dhow, will be shared through multiple platforms, including media, exhibitions, festivals, and others.
In addition, the centre will also hold educational seminars, forums, and conferences to facilitate debate and understanding of these historical vessels.
“These conferences and forums will result in published white papers, to be shared with the general public,” added Dr Al Sulaiti.
“The centre will also collaborate with local, regional, and international organisations that share the centre’s mission and goals. It is also our aim to periodically issue newsletters and books to reach the widest audience possible.”
Commenting on the importance of setting up the Qatar Center for Dhows in Katara, Dr Al Sulaiti said: “It is only natural to establish the centre in Katara, which was set up to promote not only global culture, but that of Qatar’s. The centre will only add value to the Cultural Village, complementing the Foundation’s cultural role, and ensuring that future generations will continue to remember and respect the important heritage and story of the dhow.”
The Peninsula
