Tribune News Network
Doha
With a stirring performance by one of the Arab world’s leading singers and musicians, Hamza Namira, and the resonant sound of Arabic Fusha songs, Qatar Foundation’s Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts concluded after five days of celebrating creativity and cultural heritage with the community of Qatar and its visitors.
“Al Ghorrah is an attempt to seek refuge in the cultural constant against the various existential calamities of our time,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, vice-chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation.
Al Ghorrah was sponsored by the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM). Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, chief executive officer of DAAM, said: “Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts served as an important platform for celebrating Arab-Islamic heritage and fostering cultural understanding among diverse communities. Supporting initiatives like these aligns with DAAM’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cultural exchange and preserving cultural identity for future generations in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
The event highlighted the vital role of culture in providing a sense of grounding amid challenges, with creativity and heritage seen not as relics of the past but as enduring beacons of identity and resilience.
Building on this theme, Al Ghorrah offered an array of theatre and musical performances, educational workshops, and activities for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Education City event showcased a vast spectrum of creative talents and richness of Arab-Islamic culture with approximately 8,000 tickets bought by those wanting to immerse themselves in the vibrant offerings and atmosphere of Al Ghorrah.
The closing night of Al Ghorrah featured a performance by singer-songwriter Hamza Namira, while Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Qatar Music Academy performed Fusha Tunes – a medley of Arabic Fusha songs – and the event’s daily parade continued to draw audiences with its combination of traditional music and colorful costumes, and cultural experiences from the Levant, Iraq, and Morocco were placed in the spotlight on Al Ghorrah’s Talent Stage.
“This year, we were thrilled to witness an exceptional turnout, with attendees from diverse backgrounds joining us to explore the richness of Arab-Islamic civilisations alongside other cultures,” Hend M Al Thawadi, Engagement and Activation Lead at Qatar Foundation, said.
During the five days of Al Ghorrah, highlights for the thousands of people who have flocked to Education City’s Oxygen Park included Al Feel Ya Malik Al Zaman, which saw the creative vision of director and producer Maher Salibi, and a cast including renowned actor Jamal Sulieman, bring legendary playwright Saadallah Wannous’ acclaimed play to life.
Performances by Mustafa Said and the Asil Ensemble, and Yemeni orchestra Sada Alebda, as well as a Qatari-Moroccan medley featuring Asmaa Mnor were all part of the musical flavour of Al Ghorrah, while visitors also had the opportunity to watch plays performed by schools, listen to poetry readings, and participate in a range of workshops – including enabling them to try their hand at Arabic calligraphy and creating geometric patterns.
Meanwhile, workshops for children and families offered the chance to explore everything from puppet making to leatherworking, and culinary experiences from different countries blended food with storytelling.
Al Ghorrah partners included the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar Calendar, and Qatar Television.
