Souq Waqif Garangao celebrations spread joy

Souq Waqif in Doha organised a magnificent Garangao celebration last night at the eastern part of the popular destination, with hundreds of families taking part in the event.

The Garangao celebrations started at 8pm and went on until 11.30pm with families from different nationalities accompanying their children, lining up in a joyous atmosphere.

Even before the event started, hundreds were waiting eagerly.

Souq Waqif director Mohamed al-Salem said that around 20 different entities took part in this year's celebrations of Garangao.

Gift bags with sweets, nuts and toys distributed to children and their families.

This year's was the largest celebration of Garangao night held so far at Souq Waqif.

Al-Salem noted that the excellent weather conditions and the effective organisation of the activities encouraged more people to show up at the event.

Souq Waqif, he said, will continue its efforts to enhance local traditions and organise more events to celebrate the heritage of the country.

A popular event will be held for 10 days from Ramadan 20 at the same site, the official added.

Captain Metbab al-Qahtani, head of the education and awareness section at the Ministry of Interior’s Juvenile Police Department, said that they are keen to participate in the annual event to share the joy with people and spread awareness on the department's services and the related issues.

Alya al-Mezini, second secretary at the Kuwait embassy in Qatar, said that the diplomatic mission was keen to take part in these heritage celebrations to share in the joy of the people.

She said that this night is traditionally marked across the GCC countries, although under different names, making it a joint heritage of the region.

Al-Mezini further stressed the distinguished Qatari-Kuwaiti brotherly relations, expressing her appreciation of the excellent organisation of the event at Souq Waqif.

The event enjoyed the participation of various departments of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture, the Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities, and others.

The celebration was sponsored by QNB.

Garangao, a mid-Ramadan traditional celebration, is an integral part of Qatari culture and heritage that embodies the spirit of the joy of giving and sharing.

Traditionally, children used to roam the neighbourhood, going from house to house, with bags, collecting gifts of sweets and nuts.

Children wear traditional costumes and sing songs, passed from generation to generation, celebrating the importance of giving and sharing.