DOHA: Around 4,000 people are expected to attend Qatar Foundation for Education (QF) Garangao Night celebrations today at Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre in Education City.
This year the free community event, which falls on the 14th night of Ramadan, is being hosted by QF for a third time as part of its commitment to provide a year-round cultural activities to highlight and preserve the best of Qatari traditions and heritage.
Garangao celebration is rooted in the Gulf culture. It began as a daytime festival in tribal communities as a reward and distraction for children during fasting hours.
Among the main themes the festival promotes are generosity, sharing and community spirit.
This year QF will look to capture these values by offering activities that highlight the event’s religious and cultural significance.
While the traditional event is aimed at children, QF has ensured that it caters to all members of the family so that the whole community can experience and enjoy Qatari heritage and Garangao values.
Engineer Saad Ebrahim Al Muhannadi, President, QF, said, “Garangao is an annual tradition that highlights the Qatari culture of generosity and giving.
“In this spirit, the QF family will again come together at Al Shaqab to provide educational and engaging activities for the public.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of families to Education City for an entertaining evening that will celebrate our national heritage.”
During the event from 8pm until midnight, the community will be transported back in time at a souq, where children will hear traditional stories and readings from the Holy Quran and participate in henna and face painting.
Visitors to the centre will also be able to experience pony rides, a high performance equestrian display and a horse bouncy castle.
As a further display of embracing and preserving Qatari culture, QF will organise traditional games for children to enjoy with families, including, Gaiss (hopscotch), Tagyah, (tug-of-war), Dahouri (wheel pushing) Gallinah and Natou.
Families will also be able to sample Qatari dishes, including haris, luqaimat, khanfaroush, jarish and Garangao sweets and nuts.
The Peninsula
