WATCH: What is the Marmi Festival 2020 all about?

One of the largest falconry and hunting festivals in the region, the Qatar International Festival of Falcons and Hunting is currently underway with its eleventh edition this year in Qatar.  

Known as the Marmi Festival, the event is aimed at preserving and promoting the sport of falconry, which is held in high regard in Arab culture. 

The month-long festival is taking place at Sabkhat Marmi in the Sealine area and brings together a large number of falcon and hunting enthusiasts.

The festival is open to the public who'd like to come and witness the action and get a feel of this sport that is strongly connected with the country's past.

Organized by Qatar's only falconry association, Al Gannas, the festival is being held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Marmi Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year and is characterized by strong competition and heavy public attendance from different countries in the region.

The event sheds light on Qatari culture and hospitality through various shows and competitions.

One of the organizers, Ali Sultan Nasser Al Hamidi, underlined that the championship is heading toward the second decade.

Falconry is one of the most prominent and admired parts of Qatari culture. 

It is a tradition that is deeply rooted in the Qatari lifestyle. Qatari elders take immense pride in teaching the younger generations the art of falconry, so they can enjoy the sport like their forefathers.

Al Gannas, founded in 2008, is Qatar's main cultural association entrusted with the aim to promote and preserve the modern form of this ancient sport.

Not only does it consist of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment needed for hunting and conduct research in falconry as well, but it also organizes falconry events and represents Qatari falconry experts in regional and international contests.

To get the latest updates on the festival, you can follow Al Gannas on their twitter page. 

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Cover and Inline Images Credit: Twitter/@algannas_qa