Her Highness Sheikha Moza Attends Opening Ceremony of D’Reesha Performing Arts Festival

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended the opening ceremony of the second edition of Qatar Foundation’s D’reesha Performing Arts Festival today. 

The opening ceremony was also attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, as well as several ministers and dignitaries.  

Speaking at the opening of the festival, Ghoroor Abdulwaheed, Wellbeing Specialist, QF, said: “D’reesha presents a unique experience that will span the entirety of this week. It is an outlet for connectedness and self-expression, bringing together many artists and talents with various abilities under one roof, while highlighting Arab culture, language, and heritage.”

The seven-day festival, which is being held during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, will celebrate Arab culture and heritage through a range of unique performances, educational workshops, and fun activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and interests.

The event began with a concert by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra that took visitors on a cultural journey exploring the country’s past, present, and future. 

This was followed by a musical performance titled ‘The Journey of Ibn Battuta’. Featuring regional actors alongside students from QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE) schools, as well as members of the wider community, the show detailed the adventures of the famous Arab explorer Ibn Battuta.

Noura Alibrahim, 10 years old, is a student at Academyati – part of QF’s PUE – who is participating in ‘The Journey of Ibn Battuta’. 

“My favorite things about being part of the show are the friendships I’ve made – I’ve made lots of friends from different schools – and seeing the process. I have also learned to be more confident,” she said. “I’m excited, and I can’t wait to do the show – I’m looking forward to my family seeing me perform for the first time.”

Meanwhile, ‘Ajyal Tunes’ – presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI) – featured musical performances by a variety of Qatar-based talent. During the festival, DFI will also host its popular Made in Qatar program.

“As we celebrate a monumental year for the nation, Doha Film Institute are proud to present an incredible selection of internationally acclaimed and awarded short films by Qatar-based filmmakers,” said Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO, DFI.

“Join us at Qatar Foundation’s Al Khater House as part of the D’reesha Performing Arts Festival for an unmissable series of the very best of our popular Made in Qatar programs.

“A world of music also awaits at DFI's electrifying series of Ajyal Tunes concerts. Taking place at Qatar Foundation’s incredible Oxygen Park, we play host to a talented line-up of Qatar-based performers and internationally renowned musicians.”

Highlights at this year’s festival include a brand-new area dedicated to science and research, titled D’reesha of Invention – sponsored by ConocoPhillips Qatar – and cultural activities at Al Khater House, including artists presenting poems about Palestine, as well as an art zone with music workshops. 

The D’reesha Performing Arts Festival is being held in collaboration with principal partners ConocoPhillips Qatar and the Social & Sport Contribution Fund. Strategic partners are the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Social Development and Family, Doha Film Institute, Torba Farmers Market, Woqod, and Dukhan Bank.

To purchase tickets, please visit: tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa/family/17911/d-rsquo-reesha-performing-arts-festival. You can also find out more about the festival by visiting www.qf.org.qa/dreesha.