Doha, November 15 (QNA) - The Second Fereej Arts and Design Festival (FADF), organized by the Ministry of Culture (Qatar), wrapped up Saturday after seven days maxed out with artistic and intellectual activities at Darb Al Saai.

The festival was capped by success in terms of consolidating its standing as a unifying creative platform, reflecting the ferocity of the ministry's unflagging commitment to promoting Qatar's cultural and artistic movement and embracing creative talents in all their forms and schools, the ministry emphasized in a statement.

The festival proved even richer and more diverse. Participation extended beyond local artists, backed by artistic luminaries from various countries, infusing the events with a global character, and expanding to include in-depth educational workshops and interactive activities designed for all ages, ensuring engagement in every conceivable way.

In a decisive step to strengthen community interaction and stimulate artistic sensibilities among visitors, the ministry launched the festival's public participation competition, which witnessed an uptick in enthusiastic engagement, emphasizing the role of art in building bridges between creators and the public.

The festival experienced extraordinary public attendance and widespread interaction across diverse segments of the community, with professional workshops spearheaded by creative artists at home and from over 20 countries drawing unencumbered crowds, reflecting the audience's passion for knowledge and live artistic experiences, said Director of the Visual Arts Center, Huda Al Yafei.

The event hosted a series of outstanding art exhibitions and seminars that enriched the artistic scene with dialogue and inspiration, garnering admiration for presenting contemporary visions that resonate with profound cultural identity.

The festival extraordinarily pulled off thanks to the extensive collaboration and energized efforts by the organizing teams, participating artists, and supporting partners, becoming an annual platform, a call into action for global creativity at the heart of Doha, providing the public with a refined artistic experience that reinforces the standing of the arts in the community.

It featured 12-plus art exhibitions showcasing diverse perspectives in visual arts, and 14 workshops that provided the public opportunities to engage actively in creative industries, forming a bridge for cultural and artistic interaction by integrating global artistic heritage with modernity.

Workshops included Japanese Bingata art, Kuwaiti glass fusion, Australian natural pigments, Spanish gilding, Indian fabric printing, Russian decorative plates, and live demonstrations from Kuwait-unique experiences that drew significant participation from both amateur and professional artists.

The festival also hosted six main art houses, which served as pillars of creativity and specialization, notably Exhibition House, Art Workshops House, Calligraphy House, Ceramics House, Artists' Studios House (providing live production space), and Seminars House (for intellectual discussions).

These houses complemented their activities with the Art and Design Market and the Interactive Children's Area, completing a comprehensive and immersive festival experience.

The festival further showcased remarkable artistic diversity, corralling 70-plus artists presenting solo and group exhibitions, paintings, ceramics, and calligraphy that embody the interplay of cultures and artistic schools. It also celebrated youth creativity in modern design, anime, and digital arts, alongside traditional forms such as Arabic calligraphy, ceramics, and sculpture.

Children's programming included painting workshops, school art sessions, and free drawing zones, alongside panel discussions and artistic seminars corralling artists, critics, and the public, including live drawing sessions in interactive, open settings, confirming that FADF has evolved into a leading annual event on the regional cultural calendar.

The festival's content was further enriched by domestic and international academic and cultural partnerships, with participation from Qatar University, University of Babylon, University of Mosul, Al Mustansiriyah University, Katara Art Center, Al Riwaq Gallery, Qatar Museums, the Qatar Philatelic & Numismatic Center, and the Qatar Cultural Center for the Deaf, alongside several artistic centers from the participating countries. (QNA)