BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: A stunning pyrotechnic display illuminated the skies over Katara yesterday night evoking a festive atmosphere among hundreds who thronged the Cultural Village to celebrate Eid Al Adha.
Fireworks display has been a major highlight of Eid Al Adha celebrations every year citizens and residents witness and last night saw a huge turnout due to the fine weather.
For 10 minutes, the people aimed their cameras to the sky to capture the breathtaking sight of colours painting the sky in spectacular formations.
Prior to the show, a shadow play featuring a troupe from Ukraine entertained the crowd during three shows, each lasting 30 minutes. Their sheer ingenuity using their own and other objects’ silhouettes in creating breathtaking images to tell a story won the applause of children and adults.
They also produced some of the landmarks in Qatar such as Fanar, the clock tower, Katara’s pigeon towers and the Doha skyline to the delight of the audience.
Hundreds of Eid gifts were distributed to children at the end of the show.
“Since inception, Katara is committed to its strategy of being close to people from all walks of life and boosting ties. Katara is consistently achieving success that paves the way for attracting a wide range of visitors,” said Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager.
The malls participating in Eid Al Adha Festival organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) also saw huge turnout, with their unique entertainment and roaming shows.
Visitors at City Center Doha were left amused by the timeless tale of Aladdin who along with the Genie, Princess Jasmine and Jaffar, rendered modern song and dance items. A number of acrobatic stunts, including a death-defying aerial silk by a female acrobat playing a flute, thrilled hundreds.
Other attractions at City Centre included Frozen Tribute, Ardha dance and face painting.
Other malls have started staging their shows, including Bob the Builder (Dar Al Salam mall), Dora the Explorer (Ezdan Mall), Cinderella (Lagoona Mall), Play ‘Doh (Hyatt Plaza) and Kid’s Circus (Al Khor Mall).
“It is good to have different shows in each mall each Eid holiday. It gives children something to look forward to during four-day Eid holidays,” said Hamed Shokry who watched the show at City Center with his family.
There are also roaming shows in participating malls, including Al Ardah traditional dance, Arabs Got Talent semifinalist ‘Snoopy’, ‘Mr. Dropsy and The Bellboy’, ‘Jig & Saw’, along with face paintings, Balloonatics and a circus parade, among others.
A feature of the festival is ‘Frozen Sing-along’ where the film’s major characters Elsa and Ana entertain visitors by singing hit songs from the film along with audiences.
Another highlight is the Arabic theatrical play The Wrestler at Qatar National Theatre, featuring a star-studded cast, including child star Hala Turk and actors Nasser Mohammad and Najwa Al Kubeisi.
The Sout Al Rayyan Music Festival starts tonight at 9pm at Al Ahmad Square in Souq Waqif, featuring Mesaed Al Blushi and Hatem Al Iraqi.
Other shows and activities have also started in venues, including the Pearl-Qatar, Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, Sheikh Faisal Museum, Aspire Zone, Lusail Shooting Club and Sealine Beach.
The Peninsula
