KATARA VILLAGE: QATAR'S CULTURAL CORE

Every city boasts of a spot that acts as its cultural hub or nerve centre. It is the place where residents and tourists head for diverse cultural experiences. The Katara Cultural Village in Doha is the place to go to for all things cultural in Qatar.

- Varsha Singh

As you get off the golf cart bringing you here, you pass through gigantic arches that could have been the entrance to a medieval Middle Eastern walled city. The imagery of the period and the location persists as you see several narrow alleyways, paved with stones, winding throughout the village. The alleys are lined with houses, with arched windows and tiny oil lamps reflecting the style of the Islamic world of the medieval period.

One of the first sights inside only goes on to reinforce the image further. A small mosque, painted in golden hues, greets visitors and whose glitter ensures that it is indeed the first thing that visitors see. The mosque could very well have been in the capital of a wealthy and powerful ancient Islamic kingdom.

"Welcome to Katara Cultural Village." These words by your guide make you snap out of your reverie and realise that instead of a promenade in a 12th century Arab city, you are in the ultra-modern capital of a wealthy and culturally-oriented Arab country of the 21st century.

Located on the eastern coast of Qatar and just south of Lusail, Katara Cultural Village is Doha's cultural and entertainment nerve centre. Set up with twin objectives, one to educate and motivate the youth here to learn about the rich Arab culture and also to position Qatar as the cultural hub of the entire Middle East. Set up by the ruler of Qatar, the village brings together the best of theatre, literature, music, visual art as well as exhibitions from around the world. Beyond culture, the village also offers a variety of delectable offerings from across the globe at the numerous restaurants, presenting the best of Arabic and international cuisine.