The ninth Traditional Dhow Festival of Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation will begin at the Katara beach on Tuesday afternoon.

The festival will continue until December 16 with a programme featuring distinguished local, regional and international participation.

The 11 participants are Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Turkey, India, Greece, Italy, Spain, Iran and Zanzibar.

The festival comprises a collection of marine shows, cultural, artistic and traditional activities, competitions, workshops for children and craftsmen and other activities that with a special focus on the maritime heritage of Qatar and the other participants. Besides, special performances and operettas by some folk troupes have also been lined up.

Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara, stressed that the "importance of the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival increases year on year and this ninth edition enjoys a wider participation, which reflects the stature of the event as a sought-after maritime heritage destination locally and internationally".

He also expressed happiness that the festival is coinciding with the ongoing 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, and expects a great turnout of visitors at the event.

The official said the festival has become an attractive event for tourists in the country and many people come to take part in it annually to get closer to the marine heritage and history of Qatar and the other participating countries.