(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Doha
More than 5000 visitors flocked to Freej Aspire to celebrate Garangao on Wednesday night transforming the location to a carnival ground that combined a range of traditional activities and performances.
The event hosted by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) for the first time was enjoyed mostly by a large number of children who wore colourful traditional attire.
Performances and activities such as Grandma Memo Um Khalaf as well as face painting puppets traditional sport games and songs were among the main attractions.
Other activities included the screening of the children’s movie “Ponyo” produced by the Doha Film Institute as well as performances of the local Al Arda dance Al Rababah shows cultural lectures shows by comedians storytelling and photography.
Saleh Enad who came to Freej Aspire with his family expressed his gratitude to the organisers saying: “Everything that Aspire Zone Foundation sets up and runs is always unique. Seeing children and families happily celebrating Garangao in this way during the holy month is fantastic.”
In another first Freej Aspire hosted a group of elderly people to celebrate Garangao together with members of the local community. Mohamed Aref Haroon an elder felt that “Freej Aspire” is such a great idea for keeping younger generations in touch with the heritage of Qatar and the wider GCC region.
Freej Aspire features the latest cooling technology designed to keep the temperature at 25C. The layout of the Freej is organised in the shape of adjoining houses based on the traditional “Liwan” design and includes a number of stores handicraft workshops as well as storytelling booths food stations and a number of other elements designed to replicate the environment of an authentic “Freej”.
Freej Aspire is located in Muhairjah area (if travelling from Al Sadd turn right at Muhairjah signal and the Freej will be 500m after the signal on your left).
Additionally Freej Aspire activities which run daily from 9.30pm to midnight during the holy month include the “Sloom Ahel Qatar” programme organised in partnership with Qatar Charity and designed to revive Qatari traditions and customs.
The Sloom programme includes lectures forums traditional competitions as well as giving visitors the chance to learn about the history of photography the profession of sailing falcon training and a number of other traditional activities.
Hussain al-Qahtani corporate communications manager at AZF expressed delight in the fact that more than 5000 visitors enjoyed Garangao night at Freej Aspire.
“This year we have introduced an even better package of sport social and cultural activities and events into our programme whether that’s the Ramadan Sports Festival or the Freej Aspire” he explained.
“As an organisation we always seek to set the standard for boosting engagement in sport and enriching cultural knowledge. What better occasion than the holy month of Ramadan to do so” the official added.
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