Doha, November 02 (QNA) - The Chinese Festival in Qatar opened on Wednesday at the Museum of Islamic Art Park under the patronage of Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Board of Trustees HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and in the presence of a number of accredited ambassadors to the country.

The festival, which is held in partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, will run until Saturday as it celebrates the rich and varied culture of China in a weekend of exciting events for all the family to enjoy.

Over the course of the weekend, some of Zhejiang's leading musicians and performers will entertain crowds in a beautiful outdoor setting that includes a Chinese market, Chinese teahouse, stage, photography exhibition space, food stalls and a children's play area. China will be celebrated with musical performances, film, children's activities and food.

"We are very excited to host this dynamic festival that promotes an understanding, celebration and appreciation of Chinese culture, traditions and people, in Qatar," said Mohammed Al Othman, Qatar Museums public and international relations director.

"We hope to draw thousands of visitors to the festival over the coming days to experience this unique event, which reflects the history and heritage of China. As the Qatar China Year of Culture draws to an end this December, we hope that visitors will take this opportunity to experience and engage with Chinese culture right here in Doha," he added.

This year's festival is divided into different zones to give visitors the ultimate Chinese experience. The entertainment zone includes musical performances, traditional dances, Chinese tea ceremonies and calligraphy demonstrations. The exhibition zone showcases a stunning photography exhibition which presents the work of four Chinese and two Qatari photographers, who travelled to each other's countries. The market zone includes a variety of arts and crafts activities including woodblock printing, rice sculpture and kite making workshops and a puppet show. Visitors are also treated to a variety of delicious local and Chinese delicacies to choose from.

The Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture is part of the landmark Years of Culture initiative, designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people through mutual exchanges of arts, culture, heritage and sport. (QNA)