Cultural fiesta
The fifth Qatar International Falcon and Hunting Festival headlines the exciting array of events and activities Katara is hosting this month.
With over 1,400 participants in various categories, this year’s edition of the festival can be considered the biggest. All eyes are set on winning the top prizes at the festival which comprise over QR2.5m total cash prize in addition to cars.
After five days of registration, local and regional participants started the month-long competitions yesterday at Sabkath Marma in Sealine with the first group in the Hadad Challenge category, which tests the shaheen falcon’s ability to hunt its prey while in flight, upon landing on the ground or to guard the prey until the falconer arrives.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival promotes falconry and hunting as a sport and hobby and an important facet of the country’s heritage.
As part of Katara’s aim to promote convergence of cultures and communication between peoples, the Chinese Cultural Festival opens today at Katara Drama Theatre.
The three-day event features traditional dragon and lion dances, orchestra concert, acrobatics show, tea ceremony and art exhibition.
On Saturday, cellist Mischa Maisky plays Don Quixote along with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of music director Han-Na Chang.
The repertoire includes Richard Strauss’ Don Juan, TrV 156, Op. 20; Death and Transfiguration, Op. 24 and Don Quixote, TrV 184, Op. 35. The concert will be held on Saturday, 7.30pm at the Katara Opera House.
Qatar Philharmonic follows this concert playing another Richard Strauss repertoire on January 18, 7.30pm at the Katara Opera House. One of the highlights of the concerts would be soprano Helena Juntunen’s performance of Strauss’ Four Last Songs.
“Cendrillon Opera”, a world-famous theatrical show admired around the world would be held from January 14 to 17 at the Katara Opera House. There would be two shows, one from 4pm to 5pm and another from 8pm to 9pm.
Visitors in Katara can still enjoy some ongoing events at the Cultural Village, including “The language of water and stone of Qatari islands” by Qatari artist Abdulrahman Al Mutawa and “Our Qatar” photo expo.
Al Mutawa’s works in which poetry and image meld had been inspired by his country’s rich maritime tradition. They are on view at Building 22 until January 29. “Our Qatar” photo expo, on the other hand, is open until January 18 at Katara Art Studios, Building 19.
Also, visitors have until tomorrow to visit “Mini Art” expo at the Visual Art Centre, Building 19 and “Gulf the civilisation and the history” exhibition in Building 19.
Earlier this month, Katara presented “Shams W Qamar” (Sun and Moon), a new musical by popular composer Wajdi Shaya. The play was a love story set in the backdrop of political turmoil, in which the lovers Sun and Moon would never meet because of challenges and differences.
THE PENINSULA
