Qatar National Day 2024 celebrations opens to public at Darb Al Saai
Qatar National Day 2024 celebrations, which kicked off at the Darb Al Saai headquarters at Umm Salal Area on Tuesday, is set to continue until December 18.
Qatar’s Minister of Culture HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar National Archives Board of Trustees chairman Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, former Speaker of Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud and other dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony.
The opening ceremony was attended by a large crowd, especially the Qatari flag hoisting ceremony within the main square of Darb Al Saai.
Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, assistant undersecretary for cultural affairs at the Ministry of Culture, said activities at the Darb Al Saai were some of the most prominent expressions of Qatar National Day celebrations.
“They reflect the spirit of loyalty and patriotism and embody the enduring values upon which the state was founded. Darb Al Saai serves as a unique cultural and heritage platform, showcasing Qatar’s rich history and traditions through diverse events blending cultural, heritage, entertainment, and educational aspects,” he said.
“This annual event aims to strengthen national identity and authentic Qatari values through activities and programmes targeting all segments of society, thereby bridging the gap between current generations and their ancestral heritage. Darb Al Saai isn’t just a celebration but a national message of pride,” he added.
The public is set to enjoy 15 different events, which will include 104 activities, designed to engage all categories of visitors while focusing on different aspects of local culture and heritage.
Some of the main attractions include the Qatari House, the main stage, Liwan Al Fann (Art Pavilion), Al Bidaa, Al Maqtar, Al Ezbah, Al Shaqab, Darb Al Saai Track, Al Maseer, the Puppet Theater, the Desert Museum, the Qatari Music Museum, Qatar Reads, interactive games area, the marketplace, among others.
A new activity this year is the ‘Sana Qatar’ exhibit, a digital art showcase featuring immersive video experiences using advanced display technologies.
The main stage at Darb Al Saai will host a rich variety of daily activities, including three poetry evenings, three cultural and religious symposiums, three plays (each with three performances), a children’s play, a children’s chorus performance, four operetta shows, and a musical storytelling session.
A live cooking competition titled ‘Qatari Flavours’ will highlight Qatar’s culinary identity. Winners will receive prizes of QAR80,000, QAR60,000, and QAR40,000.
Darb Al Saai will welcome visitors every day from 3pm to 11pm at its headquarters in Umm Salal area, which spans 150,000sqm. The site, equipped with advanced facilities and services to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors, features 80 shops, 30 restaurants and cafes, and five traditional games areas.
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