‘SkillFest’, sponsored by Visit Qatar, kicked off this week (from July 15) at four different locations across the country; inviting visitors to indulge in local arts, crafts, and culture.
Taking place at Msheireb Galleria, Place Vendome, Mall of Qatar, and West Walk, the first event of its kind celebrates local and sustainable arts and crafts inspired by Qatar’s marine environment and shines a spotlight on creativity, culture, and community interaction.
The events are led by local and resident artists and craftsmen. There is Arabic calligraphy, astronomy and sciences’ exhibitions, manuscripts and anecdotes, pavilions on local marine creatures, photography exhibitions by Qatari photographers, including Azzam al-Mannai, Qatar Photography Centre exhibits by artists Khaled al-Jabri and Faisal al-Jarkas and artisan markets featuring products by 24 artists. In addition, there are competitions for visitors with valuable prizes for the winners.
In a press statement, Hamad al-Khaja, head of Events and Festivals Technical Support Section at Qatar Tourism said: “Visit Qatar is pleased to sponsor the inaugural SkillFest in Qatar, which focuses on Qatari arts, culture, and environment, making it a great event for families during the summer.
“Spread across the country in different locations, the event invites people to partake in artistic workshops and exhibitions to celebrate local culture and environment. Educational and hands-on events like these demonstrate Visit Qatar’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its events offerings, and emphasis on the importance of arts and culture. We wish everyone a warm welcome to the first edition of SkillFest.”
Artist and co-founder of the event, Bachir Mohamed, said: “The goal of the festival is to celebrate the rich fabric of Qatari life. Each location will host unique pavilions, offering visitors the opportunity to experience different aspects of Qatari heritage and contemporary culture.
“We are confident that the natural and environmental elements that inspired the event will have the same inspiring effect on visitors.”
Qatari artist Ahmed al-Emadi, co-founder of Bluribbon Design Atelier, one of the co-organisers, added that the festival is an opportunity to develop skills for everyone, whether they are amateurs or professionals.