Palestinian handicrafts at the festival.
Palestinian Heritage Festival 'From Memory and Heritage' being held at Southern area of Katara - the Cultural Village has reeled in many of attendees anticipating its fifth edition which runs through May 13.
Under the patronage of the Palestinian Embassy in Qatar, the Palestinian-Qatari Friendship Association alongside festival organisers Final Vision, cultural partner Katara worked hand in hand to deliver a diversity of activities and performances that celebrate Palestinian culture and heritage.
The opening speech by Palestinian Ambassador H E Munir Ghanim highlighted the festival’s mission to revive and disseminate the authentic Palestinian heritage by encouraging youth to explore and actively take part in shaping Palestinian history. He expressed appreciation of the high attendee turnout and hoped the festival will spark more interest in ancient Palestinian folklore.
The festival began with a Palestinian Dabke performance by Qatar-based Palestinian Dabke group Yargool. The folklore dance is a statement of Palestinian resistance and unifies Palestinians worldwide. “Although we are far from Palestine, watching the Dabke performance transported us back to our land and reignited our love for our ancestors’ culture,” said Palestinian attendee Aml Hamad.
The show symbolizes the hope, struggle and history endured by Palestinians, making it a form of cultural art that hits close to home.
A large number of vendors local to Palestine were present, many of whom had arrived from Jerusalem and Hebron a few days, some a few hours, before the festival kicked off on May 3.
“We got off our flight to Qatar on May 2, and on May 3, we were in Katara selling the products we regularly manufacture and sell back home,” says a jeweller from Jerusalem selling necklaces and rings in the shape of the Palestinian map. Vendors sold embroidered Palestinian dresses and house decor, hand-crafted at their own stores located in different cities in Palestine.
Live stations of ka’ak baking served guests with the warm and hearty date stuffed Palestinian dessert. Refreshments of karak and tea were also offered throughout the festival and a henna station and bouncy castles kept guests and children entertained.
A final Dabke and Dahiya performance by Yargool closes off the cultural festival.
