Katara Amber exhibition promotes local heritage

The 5th edition of the Katara International Amber Exhibition continued its activities on Wednesday for the second consecutive day, attracting a significant number of visitors and amber enthusiasts from within Qatar and abroad.The exhibition stands out for its extensive participation of craftsmen, designers, and exhibitors from over 14 countries, who have come to display their unique masterpieces and distinctive amber-based products.Many exhibitors stressed the importance of this international event, which serves as a regional and global economic platform for marketing amber products. The exhibition features 77 pavilions, each competing to showcase rare and luxurious collections of prayer beads, amber stones, and related products. These offerings cater to a diverse audience, providing amber lovers with a variety of options to suit different tastes.Mohamed Ishaq, supervisor of a pavilion, noted that his pavilion features amber stones sourced from Baltic countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania, alongside a range of products including prayer beads and accessories used in jewellery and decoration, such as rings and bracelets.The exhibition also showcases exceptional artistic creations made from amber stones. Several pavilions display antiques, models, and artistic paintings adorned with amber.Abdulrahman al-Sulaiti, supervisor of another pavilion from Qatar, explained that the paintings and sculptures featured in the exhibition draw inspiration from the Qatari environment, blending Qatari heritage with modern influences. These include depictions of falcons, Arabian Oryx, traditional dhows, horses, and Doha’s towering urban landmarks. He noted that all these artistic works are crafted from various types of amber, including Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish amber, as well as amber powder.The designs are hand-drawn, with colours applied using laser beams and enhanced with amber powder or mosaic pieces. Sculptures, on the other hand, are formed using specialized pressing machines.Similarly, Dr Hani Youssef Mohamed, supervisor of another Qatari pavilion, described the exhibition as exceptional. It provided the exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase the local techniques for working with amber and to promote the local cultural heritage. He pointed out that collaborating with exhibitors from different countries opens new avenues for development and innovation.In addition to the displays, the exhibition hosts a series of lectures and dialogue sessions held between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. These sessions explore the cultural and commercial significance of amber, as well as methods for distinguishing between its various types.