Doha, December 10 (QNA) - HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the State's National Day 2025 celebrations at Darb Al Saai in the Umm Salal area, under the slogan "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits." The events were organized by the Ministry of Culture and will continue until Dec. 20.

The flag was raised in the main square at Darb Al Saai to mark the start of the celebrations, accompanied by national songs. A Darb Al Saai parade was also held, featuring purebred Arabian horses, camels, and the traditional Qatari Ardah performance.

Following the inauguration, HE the Minister of Culture, along with several ambassadors, officials, and distinguished guests, toured various cultural, heritage, and artistic activities displayed across a 150,000-square-meter space at Darb Al Saai, which serves as a national venue bringing together citizens and residents around the history, values, and authentic identity of the nation.

The opening ceremony witnessed a large public turnout from citizens and residents who were keen to be present from the very first moments of the celebrations and to enjoy the unique national and heritage atmosphere.

On this occasion, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and General Supervisor of the National Day celebrations Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali affirmed that this year’s Darb Al Saai events reflect the National Day slogan "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits."

He said that Darb Al Saai fundamentally represents a renewed national message, one that carries the meaning of pride in an authentic past, and a confident, hardworking outlook toward building the future. He added that builds on its role as a modern cultural and heritage platform that highlights the depth of Qatar’s history and its rich legacy by presenting comprehensive and diverse activities that combine cultural and heritage aspects, in addition to educational and entertainment dimensions.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture noted that this year’s events focus on strengthening and reaffirming national identity and authentic Qatari values, engaging all segments of society, and presenting heritage through a contemporary lens and innovative approaches.

He stressed the Ministry of Culture’s keenness to ensure that the activities held at Darb Al Saai serve as a reflection of the richness of Qatar’s deep-rooted culture and reaffirm the nation’s established principles and values.

A wide range of entities and institutions are participating in the National Day activities at Darb Al Saai, most notably the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Communications and Information Technology, in addition to several institutions including: the National Archive of Qatar, the National Cyber Security Agency, Qatar Cultural Center for the Deaf, Qatar Photography Center, Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind, Qatar Reads Initiative, and Qatar Islamic Bank. These institutions are presenting a variety of programs and activities that enhance national belonging. 

The National Day celebrations feature a diverse array of events at Darb Al Saai that showcase Qatar's rich heritage across both land and sea. The venue offers a vivid portrayal of traditional Qatari life, including the Qatari house and the old market, reflecting the social history of the country.

One of the most prominent heritage pillars of the event is the Maqtar and Izzba activities. The Maqtar's clustered traditional homes simulate the lifestyle of the desert and host poetry gatherings and riddles aimed at developing children's linguistic skills while introducing them to tribal dialects, desert paths, and landmarks.

It also includes heritage houses dedicated to traditional crafts such as the Falconry and Hunting House, the Sadu Weaving and Women's Crafts House, and the Dairy Production House.

Meanwhile, the Izzba activity allows children to learn camel riding and rope-tying, offering a vivid model of the nomadic life of Qatari forefathers and their adherence to customs and traditions during travel.

Darb Al Saai also highlights a significant part of Qatar's maritime heritage through the Beda'a activity, which recreates the traditional maritime environment with the Beda'a Majlis, the Mutawa House, the traditional cafe, and the Majlis of the Nakhodha, the Nahham, and the Tawwash.

The activity is accompanied by traditional maritime games and cultural competitions, in addition to a specialized museum documenting Qatar's seafaring legacy.

The venue offers an extensive selection of children's activities as well, with outdoor sports and various recreational programs. Among them is the Sana Qatar digital exhibition, which provides immersive experiences using advanced display technologies and captivating digital content that delivers cultural, social, and technological messages.

The main stage hosts daily cultural activities, including panel discussions and poetry evenings featuring diverse national and cultural content, alongside a dedicated music museum.

Darb Al Saai also features a range of art exhibitions that highlight different aspects of Qatari history and identity. Among the most notable is the Year of the Pearling Disaster exhibition, which sheds light on one of the most devastating maritime, social, and economic tragedies in the region's history.

In his exhibition Yousef Ahmed's Palm Tree, artist Yousef Ahmed continues his evolving artistic exploration inspired by the Qatari palm tree that has accompanied him since childhood and become a symbol of his identity.

His passion for paper led him to create palm-frond paper in a home-based workshop, transforming the palm tree into a material of both art and life.

In the exhibition Features of Life, artist Mohammed Al Jaidah presents works that capture deeply rooted scenes from Qatari memory, documenting the human and emotional dimensions of life in the past. The program also includes additional exhibitions addressing various elements of Qatari heritage.

Darb Al Saai welcomes visitors daily from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, at its permanent venue designed to blend traditional Qatari architecture with a contemporary touch. (QNA)