Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has unveiled new details of cultural activities it is organising for this year’s Freej Aspire.
The 2016 edition of Freej Aspire, scheduled from June 10 to 19 and spread over an 8,000sqm air-conditioned open area, will be capable of hosting 3,000 visitors per day in the venue, with temperature not exceeding 25C.
Freej means ‘neighbourhood’ in the Gulf dialect. Freej Aspire will offer members of the community a wide selection of activities and competitions focused on Qatari culture and traditions.
The venue, which has taken up to three months to construct, is laid out in the shape of adjoining traditional houses, aiming to replicate the environment of an authentic “Freej” and inspire Qatari culture and tradition.
“This year we have increased the children’s play area, added new sports activities for families alongside the traditionally offered activities, introduced innovative culturally-themed workshops for children, and dedicated space to small and medium-sized Qatari business to exhibit their services and products to the community,” said Abdullah Aman al-Khater, chairman of Ramadan Organising Committee at AZF.
“The community’s widespread participation in previous edition of Freej Aspire has motivated us to expand the activities offered and build upon past successes, which we hope will cater to all members of the community,” he explained.
For the first time, Freej Aspire will be dedicating spaces for small and medium-sized Qatari businesses to exhibit their services and products to the local community, stemming from AZF’s keen interest in supporting the development of such initiatives.
Freej will feature the merchandise of more than 22 Qatari businesses, in addition to 17 kiosks featuring traditional Qatari products, four moving trolleys and a traditional café.
Families and children visiting Freej Aspire will have the opportunity to partake in a number of traditional Qatari sports, in addition to sports tournaments including football, basketball and volleyball.
The children’s play area in this year’s edition has been expanded threefold, due to the increased community participation in Freej Aspire year after year.
Children will also have the opportunity to explore and develop their creative side through Arabic calligraphy and graffiti workshops. Several activities are designed to increase children’s awareness and knowledge of Qatari traditions and past crafts, offering them the chance to not only learn about them but also practise them.
Organising these workshops form part of AZF’s efforts to reinvigorate past Qatari traditions in Ramadan, given the significant cultural value Arabic calligraphy holds in the history of the Arabic language and Islamic culture, and its major role in making the identity of Arabian culture unique.
Freej Aspire forms part of Aspire Zone’s Ramadan Festival, to be held from June 10 to 24, and include a unique package of spiritual, sports and social activities in observance of the Holy Month.