Doha: Thousands of people are flocking to Aspire Zone Foundation’s Qatar National Day celebrations to enjoy a week-long series of event for the first time. The program of events is specially designed for the whole community to enjoy. The events started from December 13 and will run until December 18.
This year’s celebrations at Aspire will also see one of the largest fireworks in Qatar. This can be viewed across Aspire Park between 8:30pm and 9pm today.
Attendees will also be treated to a Military Parade by members of the Qatar Armed Forces’ National Service. This will take place on Aspire Lake from 4pm to 6pm untill tomorrow.
Another highlight will be an intricate parasailing performance conducted by the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), with members of the forces descending in different formations into the park behind the lake near Al Furousiya Street.
Talking to The Peninsula, Tahani Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Member of QND organizing committee at AZF, said: “We have launched a series of activities for public to celebrate QND at Aspire Park. The series of events started with Al Adaam Flag Relay in the presence of VIPs which attracted huge number of people. The flag relay also displayed military parade which will continue for a week.
“We have set up stalls in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. The 16 stalls showcase culture and heritage of Qatar. Each stall showcases something related to our culture, all activities are free of cost for children.”
For the first time, the public will witness fireworks at Aspire Park and parasailing performances from Lekhwiya. She said: “We will have special films at Aspire Park for children for a week.”
The aim of QND celebrations is to bring all nationalities at same venue to celebrate same occasion. “Aspire caters to expats and all members of community and we expect to appeal all categories.”
The grand finale of Al Adaam Flag Relay was held on December 13. Hundreds of people at Aspire Park witnessed the flag raising ceremony. The Flag Relay grand finale took place in the presence of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), and other VIP dignitaries. The Flag Relay was designed to unite and inspire audiences while encouraging them to share their pride.
Squash star and Aspire Academy graduate, Abdullah Al-Tamimi, was among the athletes involved in raising the flag at the Grand Finale of Al Adaam Flag Relay. Commenting on the relay event, Abdullah Al-Tamimi, said: “Today, I represent my nation and fellow expatriates. It is a huge pleasure and privilege to raise my country’s flag. The flag relay is an exceptional annual event that involves athletes and individuals diving, walking, jogging, and cycling throughout the State of Qatar.
Whether playing Squash or any other sport, all athletes hope to represent their country someday, to hear their national anthem play and raise their nation’s flag. To do so is the greatest source of pride.”
Another Aspire Academy graduate, Owaab Barrow, joined Al-Tamimi in raising the Qatari flag in the centre of Aspire Park.
Among other events planned at Aspire Park is a celebration for AZF employees that will take place today from 9am to 11am. The celebrations will comprise several cultural activities including the traditional “Ardha” sword dance that will be performed by Aspire Academy student-athletes.
The week-long programme also features 16 booths located in Aspire Park offering citizens and expatriates the chance to sample a wide of food choices as well as activities including live cooking demonstrations, pop-up photo studios, henna designs, and games for children — all in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs.
AZF has allocated an exclusive corner for children to enjoy a variety of games in collaboration with 7th Heaven Arts Centre. On the sidelines of the event and in collaboration with Doha Film Institute, films produced by Qatari film-makers will also be screened for audiences to enjoy throughout the week.
AZF also announced its photography competition which is included in the series of events. All interested competitors need to do is capture their best photographs of the Qatar National Day fireworks at Aspire Park and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #AspireQND.
Valuable prizes for the first 10 winners will be given and the winning photo will be posted on the official Instagram profile.
