Halal Hal fest: Showcase of culture

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA HALAL Hal Qatar Festival, which opened recently at Katara, the Cultural Village, is a showcase of many cultural and educational activities.

Among events that have attracted considerable participation is ‘Almazain’, the beauty contest for different types of livestock.

Chairman of Farmers Committee and auctions of ‘Almazain’ contest, Ahmed bin Nasser al Kuwari, said that this year, the festival was opened for the first time to participants from Gulf countries, with 52 coming from those countries and 455 from Qatar.

It is a real opportunity for competitors to exchange experiences, he said.

He said that auctions for all types of livestock would take place in the afternoon between ‘Asr’ prayer and ‘Maghrib’ prayer.

Kuwari said 30 farms were participating in the festival this year to show the public the different types and shapes of barns as well as types of foreign livestock that are not allowed in the ‘Almazain’ contest.

He said that by the terms and conditions of the festival, hybrid types of animals are not allowed to participate.

Kuwari explained that facilities and equipment are available for visitors as well as appropriate transportation for disabled persons, in addition to special places for civil defence and security personnel to ensure safety during the festival.

Regarding the management of events, he said that experts have been deployed to maintain effective governance of all activities.

The festival has so far attracted many visitors, citizens and expatriates alike, who come to learn about Qatar’s heritage and culture.

Children enjoy riding ponies, including a variety of games that have been set up for them.

Visitors and foreign tourists are happy to know about folk traditions and crafts as they express admiration for Qatar’s architectural heritage, which is characterised by simplicity, attractiveness and in harmony with the Gulf environment.

The festival highlights the aesthetic message, full of multiculturalism.

The market in the festival is attracting the attention of visitors. Shops there stock products that depict Qatar’s heritage and daily family life.

Artistic works and miniature models of popular games, women sewing, traditional food and fishing have been provided to simulate the reality of culture.

Besides the livestock competitions, which have been very strong, the Qatari women pavilion is also attracting many visitors who learn what women did to beat the harsh economic conditions in the past.

Explanations are given to visitors about the methods and techniques Qatari women used to produce cheese, yoghurt and butter, using very simple tools. Also, women played a big role in clothing production through the use of sheep wool.

A delegation from the Qatar Foundation for the Care of the Elderly People has visited the festival.

Abu Masood, one elderly nicknamed Mayor, said that the festival reminded him of the country’s heritage and traditions. He was surprised to see diverse types of sheep, some of which cost as much as QR30,000. “This is the price of a car,” he said.

The Halal Hal Qatar festival has been a real opportunity for students to learn about the country’s heritage.

They are able to see real examples of Qatar’s culture as they move around the festival’s pavilions.

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