The summer heat has kicked in with a vengeance. The kids are bored and driving everyone crazy. Escape is essential. So pack the family up and sneak off to Doha for a long weekend.
Qatar’s General Tourism Authority (GTAQ) has launched Summer Wonders, the Festival of Fun, which will run through Aug. 8.
Bshara, the festival’s mascot, is welcoming children of all ages to participate in many cultural and “edutainment” activities.
“This is our second summer festival and our focus is mainly on encouraging GCC citizens and residents to come and have a nice break in Doha,” said Salem R.H. Mansoori, speaking on behalf of GTAQ. “We have worked hard to create an activity-filled festival this year because we are aware that the international situation has led to many people in the region curtailing their vacation travel.
Doha is very safe and nearby, so we hope people will consider dropping by for a few days of enjoyment.”
Unlike other Festivals going on in the region, most of the activities at Summer Wonders continue throughout the entire month of the event. While festival entertainment is held daily at five shopping malls and the Exhibition Center, the key location for Summer Wonders is the City Center Mall.
City Center is home to the 10,500 square meter Bshara Fun City, located on the top floor of the mall. The Fun City combines entertainment and educational activities in five “zones” to create family-oriented edutainment. In the Art Zone children have a chance to express themselves in many colorful ways. At the Smart Zone science wizards do amazing science magic. The Soapsuds Football Court has made the Sport Zone quite popular with boys. The Adventure Zone is a delight for the youngest visitors. Q-Tel Internet City offers a learning center and PC assembly demos as well as Internet access and computer games. Bshara Stage is the place for laughs. Watch animal acts, acrobats, fire and magic shows. Before moving on to the Wax Museum don’t forget to make a fashion statement by brushing on a little face paint. Action continues late into the night on the lower levels of City Center. Those children who would like to be on television get the chance each day at the mall when the cameras are turned on to film a children’s TV show and tele-matches. Uncomfortable in front of the camera? The Ice Dance Show, the Albina Magic Show and Snow White Theater are lovely fantasies for those who prefer to be spectators instead of performers.
Not all the activities at City Center are geared to the younger set. Those visitors with more sophisticated tastes will find enjoyment at the Qatari Heritage Village and Global Handicrafts Village. Don’t miss the performances by folklore troupes from around the world that have come to Doha to dance, sing and generally contribute to the festival’s party atmosphere. Groups from Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Senegal, Yemen, Slovakia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and many other nations are enthusiastically displaying their national spirit. Yet, even what is best known can still be surprising. It was captivating to watch young Saudis step away from the audience and dance with glorious abandon in accompaniment to local musicians beating out a traditional rhythm. “We traveled to Doha to entertain and be entertained,” said Didi Hepburn, leader of the South African contingent. “Twenty-nine artists have come out from South Africa to participate for the duration of the festival. Our craftsmen have brought basketwork and beading from all over South Africa to sell at the Handicrafts Village. We also have dancers engaging the crowds in traditional South African tribal dances and circus performers who will delight young and old alike.
In an effort to include South Africans of all backgrounds, this year we are joined by a singer performing traditional ballads in English and Afrikaans. This is our second year at the summer festival and we are delighted to be back.”
Lebanon is particularly well represented at the Handicrafts Village. High-end artisans have brought beautiful, unique examples of the best in Lebanese metal and glasswork. Also interesting is the royal soap carving of Badr Hassoun, the owner of Khanal Saboun. Hassoun, the father of 9 boys and girls who are all active in the family firm, has developed soaps to treat a variety of ailments from eczema to exhaustion. All natural, all unusual, at 10 riyals a bar, they are affordable for all.
Visitors to the Handicrafts Village should make a special effort to stop by the Palestinian stall where dozens of needlework samples adorn the walls. Heeza Hawaylee explained that the needlework was created by Palestinian women living in Lebanon and the occupied territories. Both old and new needlepoint designs have been used in the decorative items, and the dolls dressed in traditional costumes are charming.
“We are not asking for charity here,” said Hawaylee. “What we would like is for people to support the work of our hands so we can get our families through another year.”
Outside City Center, stop at the nearby Exhibition Center. Children will enjoy the Sinbad Adventure show held twice there each evening. Adults can take a quick trip through the Al Hamedia Souq and Khan Al Khalili.
For a wholesome snack, stop at the stalls run by local women offering home cooked traditional Qatari foods such as madrooba, hareesa, biryani and marqooq. At the same venue, Bshara Snow City is a good experience for those youngsters who have never played in snow, but it may seem a bit tame to others.
All Summer Wonders activities start after 4 p.m. so mornings may be devoted to the beach, a cruise or just a late start followed by a lazy lunch. The smartest visitors to the festival sign up for a package travel deal. Qatar airways is offering Doha City Breaks from Dammam which include airfare, two nights accommodation, taxes, service charges, breakfast and free car hire starting at SR785. For tourist information about Qatar, click to summerwonder.com.
- Arab News Features 17 July 2003
