More than 45 events and activities over nine days will mark the Qatar National Day (QND) 2018 at Katara – the Cultural Village from December 11-19, it was announced.
A major highlight of the celebrations is an opera titled ‘Citizens and expats — we are one’ to be staged on December 17 and 19, with two shows on both days at 7pm and 9pm.
A high-tech planetarium, the first-of-its-kind in Qatar, which is being set up at Katara, will open on National Day (December 18) as part of the festivities. Addressing a press conference yesterday, Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, said that they prepared an excellent package of activities for celebrating the Qatar National Day, matching Katara’s track record in organising major events and festivals.

Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to witness fireworks, opera, musical shows, parachuting, cultural shows and other fun-filled activities at Katara during the festivity.
“Through the National Day celebrations, Katara strives to promote the spirit of patriotism among citizens and acquaint the new generation with the rich history and traditions of our country,” said Dr al-Sulaiti.

He added that the special opera seeks to strengthen the bond between Qataris and expatriates on the occasion of the National Day, considering the attachment of the expatriate communities to the host country and their valuable contributions to its progress and development. Dr al-Sulaiti thanked all the companies and organisations supporting the National Day celebrations at Katara, including the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Airways, Vodafone, among others.

Abdul Rahman bin Jassim al-Tamimi, head of the organising committee, was also present at the press conference.
The activities will take place from 4pm to 10pm at different venues, including Katara beach, amphitheatre and Katara Corniche. Leading Qatari artiste Fahad al-Kubaisi and female artiste Anwaar will present a musical show during the celebrations.

Special forces participating in the celebration will display parachute jump on December 17 and December 19 from 4pm. Some 500 drones will participate in a 10-minute fireworks display on December 17 and December 19.  A band from the Police Training Institute at the Ministry of Interior will present national music performances. The Amiri Air Force will also participate in the activities.

The Bedaya Centre will set up a cultural bazaar from December 11 to December 19, featuring a wide range of native products such as clothes, perfumes and traditional cuisine. Screening of a documentary film highlighting the co-existence between different expatriate communities in Qatar will be another highlight of the celebrations.
The activities will also include art competitions and workshops for children, exhibition of classic cars, art exhibitions, traditional Qatari dances and cultural shows, among others.

Source: Gulf Times

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