(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A total of 40,330 people visited the fourth Katara Traditional Dhow Festival on its opening day.
Around 600 students from schools also visited the festival with the start off of school visits yesterday.
They learned first-hand about Qatar's maritime heritage as they were introduced to the festival's pavilions and workshops and went on a sailing cruise off Katara beach.
Three competitions, which are integral part of the festival, were launched yesterday. They included rowing, free diving and traditional sailing.
Oman dominated the rowing competition, with four of its teams securing top places.
Having secured four spots for the next stage, Qatar and Saudi Arabia led the free diving competition. Raslan team led the traditional sailing contest, followed by Al Khor team, Zelzal team and Al Mafeer team.
The dive trip, which mimicked the rituals of pearl diving, engaged, as a group of young visitors danced to seamen's chants.
The diving demonstration took spectators to the early 20th century as they watched a full crew on board a traditional vessel, with tools they used to dive into the depths of the sea to extract oysters and pearls. A nearby Qatari dhow's crew performed a regular boat maintenance for visitors.
Miniature dhows were another highlight of the festival. The Bahrain Peoples Exhibition showcased a large number of dhow models, with craftsmen building miniature boats out of wood, using traditional tools.
Al Khor Nature Museum also exhibited miniature sail boats, alongside many giant mummified fishes. The most unique exhibit by the museum is a giant Japanese crab almost one-metre long.
Majlises (traditional seating areas) spread across the seashore attracted many visitors. Men in traditional costumes served tea and coffee to guests, some of whom participated in board games while listening to folk music played by a Bahraini band.
A highlight of today's events is the restoration of a mid-sea archaeological site, a first at the festival where visitors can go on a cruise and witness the restoration process to be carried out by a Qatari team. 'Al Dashah', a traditional celebration held in the olden days when sailors head to diving vessels before going to pearl banks, will also be held today.
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