A view of the 'Dates Museum' at Doha Festival City.
Doha: Following the pandemic-induced restrictions, various establishments resolved to propose adapted cultural activities to accompany the month of Ramadan in place of this period’s usual festivities.
Doha Festival City (DFC) joined in on the cause, producing what it refers to as its own ‘Dates Museum’.
Native to the Middle East region, dates have historically been an essential part of the Ramadan diet due to their cultural significance and health benefits. Therefore, the ‘museum’ presents the different fruit types, highlighting their nutritional values and origins — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait.
Situated between the Karafirin restaurant and American Eagle Outfitters, the exhibition, presented in English and Arabic, is a group of stands adorned with golden Arabic designs. It is open to all date enthusiasts or curious passers-by searching to take pictures and enrich their general knowledge of the fruit.
The exhibit is a part of the four Ramadan-inspired booths installed at DFC, showcasing various Islamic traditions. Dispersed around the mall, the other three include the Moon Watchers Educational stand, the Islamic Arts and Crafts Booth, and the Mosahraty Large Drum Photo Booth.
When asked about these DFC exhibitions, a worker said: “I like this idea. The exhibitions are small, and everyone can see them!”
In a way, these little expositions, well in the confines of sanitary measures, provide a minor but real exposure to cultural education that the pandemic has largely impacted over the past year.
