Qatar marked the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 17 with a series of events organized by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha. The observance aimed to highlight the country’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its cultural traditions.

The celebration included a live performance of Qatari Ardha, a traditional sword dance, alongside an exhibition featuring traditional crafts and authentic local cuisine. A documentary screening showcased Qatar’s initiatives to document and safeguard its intangible cultural heritage.

Sheikha Najla bint Faisal al-Thani, director of the Heritage and Identity Department at the Ministry of Culture, emphasized the country’s strong commitment to preserving cultural heritage. She noted that protecting and passing down these traditions to future generations remains a key priority for Qatar.

Salah Khaled, UNESCO’s representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and director of its Doha office, commended Qatar’s dedication to heritage preservation. He highlighted that Qatar’s efforts benefit not only the nation but also the broader Arab region, particularly the Gulf states. Khaled also praised Qatar’s instrumental role in the successful inscription of the “Bisht” — a traditional cloak — as part of the intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Hamad Saeed al-Baloushi, a cultural heritage expert at the Ministry of Culture, pointed to Qatar’s achievements in this field, notably its leadership of a joint Arab initiative that secured the inclusion of the “Arab Bisht” on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during recent meetings held in India. He described this recognition as a significant milestone for Qatar and the region.