Celebrating

Qatari
Maritime Heritage
By Jorge Granda

This month is celebration time for the people of Qatar, as the

country gets ready to host another edition of the Qatar Marine
Festival. QH gives you an extensive look into the event that
explores the past, present and future of Qatar.

K THE EVENTS
nowing and understanding where a country
comes from allows a nation to use this
knowledge to enrich the present and gather
the wisdom to create a brighter future. That
is the idea behind the Qatar Marine Festival
(QMF). The biggest festival in the country was created
to inspire people about the valuable lessons from the
past, portray the achievements of the present and get
a glimpse of what’s ahead. The Qatar Marine Festival
Organising Committee aims to help in the development
of the country by enlightening the Qatari and expat
communities about Qatar's cultural heritage.
QMF is an annual educational, cultural and water-
centric event. Through a range of entertainment, leisure, tailor-made show and it was composed by more than
technological, scientific, sports and cultural events and
activities, the public is exposed to Qatar’s rich maritime story of Qatari people, their traditions and ambitions. The
history. The festival revives all elements of Qatar’s
ancestral way of life. Aspects related to pearling and
water activities are the highlights of the event. QMF
celebrates the values of legacy, pride, enthusiasm, fun
and unity of the fast-growing country.
The first edition of the QMF took place last April
2010. The festival was a massive success, attracting
more than 80,000 people to the seafront of the Katara
Cultural Village. The expectations for the second
edition are high, but the community surely won’t be
disappointed because the organizers have lined up the
best entertainment available in the world.
There will be something for everybody at the QMF 2011.
There are many shows, activities, workshops and contests
taking place at the largest family festival of the year.
Secrets of the Sea
The biggest and most spectacular theatrical production
ever staged in Qatar – and probably in the region - will be
the core event of the QMF. Gino Landi will direct
“Secrets of the Sea.” The internationally known Italian
director has 50 years experience in television and theatre.
He has won 29 awards throughout his career. Over 95
per cent of the music was originally produced for the
110 orchestral players. The big-budget musical tells the
soundtrack is a fusion between west symphonic orchestral
music and traditional Qatari sounds. The show is a
combination of great visual and emotional impact. Qatar
has never witnessed a show of this magnitude.
Production Highlights
• 15,000 hours of rehearsals for dancers and
choreographers
• 20 containers of scenographic items
• 300 scene costumes
• Over 300 performers and staff are involved in the
organization and staging of the musical

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 SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY

The musical will start every day

at 8:00 p.m. for the duration
of the festival. There are no
reserved seats for the musical.
A first come, first served basis
system will apply.
Photo by 12-year-old
Maha Matar Al Marikhi.
Baharna
(Our Sea)
Want to see sea life? There is no better place than the
“Our Sea” exhibit, which covers an area of 1,200 square
metres, featuring a great variety of marine species,
including stingrays, seahorses, golden trevally, coral reefs
of the Indo-Pacific region, moray eel, blue swimmer crab,
jellyfish, octopus and many more. The exhibit is home to
Qatar’s largest collection of marine life. You can’t get any
closer to the creatures of the deep. Visitors will also have
the chance to interactively feed and touch pools. It will be
an amazing opportunity to learn more about the wonderful
creatures of the deep ocean.

Seals Show Timings

For the first time in Qatar, a specially designed theatre- With the exce
ption
style venue with a pool and stage facilities was built to of the “Secre
ts of The
Sea” musical
host the most amazing seals show the country has ever , Seals Show
workshops an
seen. Kids and adults alike will be amazed by four seals d Al Seef Cin
all events will ema,
brought from Siberia to entertain the crowd in Qatar. take place
from 4:00 p.m
Together with the help of their trainers Sabrina, Lapunya, . to 11:00 p.m
continuously .
Monik and Stepa will perform some incredible stunts. In
addition to the seals show, spectators will enjoy a Water
Marine Library every day.
The Marine Library will be a reading
Ballet performance. The seals show is a definite “must paradise. The Childhood Cultural Center,
see” event! Waqif Art Centre, Environmental Studies
Center of QU, Cultural Development Center, Bloomsbury,
Schedule of Daily Events Jarir Bookstore and Virgin Megastore will all
All the events will be held every day. contribute to the exhibition’s interactive
Program Time activities, including storytelling, book
Water Ballet dancing 6:30 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. readings, meetings with authors
and book signings, a poetry
Seals Show 6:35 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. competition, a comic book
Break 7:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. project for kids and
much more.
Water Pallet dancing 7:45 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.
Seals Show 7:50 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Dancing Fountains
A beautiful show of dancing fountains, music and fantastic
lights can be spotted at the seafront of Katara every night
during the QMF. The show features a sea floating fountain
reaching 80m in width. It is truly a unique visual spectacle.
There is no similar show in Qatar.

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SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY
SANDS KINGD OM
Ten internationally ren
owned sand
sculptors from all ov
er the world
will gather in Qatar
to showcase
their skillfully crafte
d sand designs
at the QMF. They wi
ll be creating
their one-of-a-kind scu
lptures in
front of an audience,
as part of a
contest. Visitors will
be able to
vote for their favourite
sculptor.
But the fun doesn’t sto
p there. The
public will be also pa
rticipating in
a competition. A wo
rkshop will be
offered and participa
nts will have
the chance to compete
against
each other. The publi
c will choose
the winner through a
vote.

THE SCULPTORS
Lucinda Wierenga (Sandy Feet)
The American sculptor started carving sand in 1985. She
competes throughout the world, creating jaw-dropping
exhibits. She also offers sand castle classes and has
written three books on sand sculpting. Some of Wierenga’s
awards and accolades include: third place and Peoples
Choice at Valladolid (Spain) international competition,
first place in Sandblasters '08, second place in both
Sandblasters '07 and Port Aransas Sandfest and published
her new book Sandcastles Made Simple.
John Gowdy
After working as a firefighter and beach lifeguard, Gowdy
retired in 2006 and is dedicating the rest of his life to
the arts, more specifically sand sculpting. He has won
the North American Championship three times, won the
International Sand Sculpting Championship in Jesolo, Italy,
and is the current winner of the International Championship
in Cervia, Italy.
Helena Bangurt
European sand sculptor Helena Bangurt carves sand
sculptures both commercially and competitively. She has
won awards in many competitions, including some in
Sweden, Russia, Korea, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and
the U.S.
JOOheng Tan
Tan has been involved in the sand sculpting art for over a
decade. He is one of the best when it comes to coaxing
giant masterpieces. His participation in many festivals, as
well as his many awards, has positioned Tan as a master
sand sculptor.
Richard Varano
Rich Varano is a second-generation sand sculptor. His
father was an amateur sand sculptor enthusiast. In his
twenties, Varano fully developed his skills and established
himself as a professional sculptor. He has won many
awards in different festivals and major competitions.
Ted Siebert
Siebert is an artist by background and training. His artwork
represents the perfect combination between sand sculpting
and sports. Ted is the author of the acclaimed books The
Art of Sandcastling and Sandcastle in A Box. Ted has been
recognized in the book The Sculpture Reference as one of
288 leading contemporary living sculptors.
Jill Harris
Harris felt in love with sand sculpting 14 years ago and
since then she hasn’t looked back. Together with her
partner, Thomas Koet, she has participated in many sand
sculpting competitions around the world, winning 1st Place,
Sculptor’s Choice awards, and other titles at these events.
Thomas Koet
Thomas first started sculpting sand in the Netherlands
13 years ago. He has become an incredible sand sculptor,
winning many 1st Places, Sculptor's Choice and other
contest titles worldwide. Koet has designed some of the
largest sand sculptures in Europe.
David Billings
The Canadian artist is the proud owner of the Sandemons
– Sand Sculpture Company. In 2001 and 2005, Billings won
the 1st place in the Master team category, along with the
People’s Choice Awards at the World Championship Sand
Sculpture Competition. He has won many other important
awards in different festivals and exhibitions around the
world.
Charlotte Koster
Koester’s career kicked off in 2006. She has worked on
sand sculptures in Germany, the United Sates, Spain,
Latvia, Portugal and Canada, among many other countries.
Awards and accolades that Koster has received include:
World Championship Sand Sculpting Canada, Harris and
competition in Canada 08, 4th place Jury (with Michel
de Kok), Peoples Choice Award (with Michel de Kok) and
designing a suite for ICEHOTEL in Sweden.

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 SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY

VISUAL ARTS
SYMPOSIUM
During the 11 days of the QMF, the spectators coming
to the festival will have the opportunity to engage in
different artistic activities, including an Artist Symposium,
a Children and Youth Arts Symposium and two exhibitions
by well-respected artists.
DID YOU K
Artists Symposium NOW?
Twelve artists from the GCC countries will be painting QMF also incl
udes year-
live (at least two artworks) for the visitors attending the round events
and a commun
symposium. The artists will also be presenting two of their involvement ity
program that
artworks as a sample of their incredible talents. provides a br
idge betwee
the annual fe n
stival.
The artworks painted live by the artists will be offered to the Qatar
Marine Festival Organising Committee.

Children and Youth Arts Symposium

Children between ages six and 15 will be able to discover their
passion for the arts and work on their creative skills. Sawsan
Mazboudi and Solagne Ahdab, both art professionals and artists THE MASCOT
themselves, will be co-ordinating and assisting in all the activities. The organizers of the QMF
selected a sea horse from Qatar to
The maximum capacity per session is 30 participants. Each be the symbol of the event. Bahoor,
session will last around one hour and 15 minutes and will the mascot that will add happiness
teach kids different painting techniques such as: mosaic, etching, and colour to the festival, is
metal embossing and ceramic, among others. Each day a different described as gentle, wise and
technique will be used during the activities. If you want to be part humble character. Bahoor will be
of this amazing artistic adventure you have to pre-register on site, seen in all the activities related to
as registration is compulsory. If the pre-registration limit is not the QMF. He is very enthusiastic
reached, then activities will be provided on a first come, first served about the future but has great
basis. A new project will be undertaken each day during the admiration and respect for the past.
11-day run of the QMF. By the end of the symposium, all artworks
related to the marine life will be offered to the Qatar Marine
Festival Organising Committee. WHERE WE ARE

EXHIBITIONS
Two renowned artists are going to be taking part in this very
special exhibition. Intercon R/A Katara Village
Entrance

Artist Prizes
All 12 artists invited to participate in the Artists Symposium Exhibition Intercon
will have the chance to take home a prize. Three well-known Center Hotel

art specialists will decide which artist will be awarded with

the prizes.
Photos provided by Qatar Marine Festival

Judges
Youssef Ahmad (Qatar), Abdullah Al Mouharraqui (Bahrain),
Salman Al Malik (Qatar)
Prizes
1st Prize: QR 28,000
2nd Prize: QR 17,000
3rd Prize: QR. 10,000
The awards ceremony will take place the last day of the
festival on March 26 during the Visual Arts Symposium
Closing Ceremony. Rainbow R/A

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QATAR MARINE FESTIVAL
HOTLIST

Sea Giants
Wed 16th – Sat 26th:
Katara. Set your sights on
the magnificent gargantuan Al Freej
sculptures of various sea creatures
that represent the marine life Wed 16th – Sat 26th: Katara.
of Qatar. These six are crab, Venture into a cultural village that
faskara, shark, star fish, shrimp features fascinating traditional events.
and hammour. Learn more about Experience children’s games, see
these animals and participate in handicrafts, enjoy folkloric music
daily quizzes and raffle draws to performances, taste treats from a
win prizes! For more information, café and capture the moment at the
visit www.qmfoc.gov.qa photo studio. For more information,
visit www.qmfoc.gov.qa

Dancing
Fountain
Wed 16th – Sat 26th: Katara.
Expect the amazing from a
spectacular visual performance
that mixes water, music and lights!
The floating fountain will be 80
metres in width and showcase
wonderful effects for everyone
to enjoy. For more information,
visit www.qmfoc.gov.qa

Al Seef Cinema
Wed 16th – Sat 26th: Katara. Like
movies? Then this event is definitely
for you! Take in the wonders of an
open air cinema facing the sea!
The documentary films, movies
and animated shows will revolve
around marine life. From 4:00 p.m.
till 11:00 p.m. For more information,
visit www.qmfoc.gov.qa
QMF Sport
Activities
Wed 16th – Sat 26th: Katara. With
sun, sand and sports what more
could you ask for? Get into the action
and enjoy beach football, bossaball
and sailing! For more information,
visit www.qmfoc.gov.qa

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