More than 200 enthusiasts from six local schools, including 45 students from Aspire Academy, took part in a series of kite flying workshops facilitated by the Singapore Kite Association, as part of the four-day Aspire International Kite Festival, ongoing until Friday, 9 March, at Aspire Park.
The workshops combined theory and practical lessons related to kite flying. The sessions covered the history of kites and how they have influenced technological developments, the early uses of kites in Asia and Europe, how these have grown to encompass applications ranging from studying the weather, lifting antenna for radio links and pulling canoes across the English Channel, and how kites paved the way for modern-day drones.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Wing Lee, President of Singapore Kite Association, said that he and his colleagues enjoyed their time with the students and found them to be very enthusiastic and interested in kite making. He said that the event has grown in popularity, and that he expects this year to be very successful.
Huda Abdulmajid Al Awadi, a local teacher from Khadija Independent Primary School for Girls said the event provides young girls with an opportunity to learn a new hobby outside of the classroom. She also complimented the event’s positive effect on the kids as kite making in itself engages a number of senses.
Today we had 45 of our girls take part in the workshops. We’ll definitely bring more students during the next few days to take part in this unique activity.’
Somaya Al Qasabi, a member of the organising committee for the festival, said that the event’s growing popularity is reflected in the number of countries taking part and the local schools participating in the workshops. This year also marked the debut by Qatar’s first-ever national kite flying team, made up of expatriates and locals.
International Kite Flying competition
Teams representing 23 countries arrived in Doha to take part in the International Kite Flying competition, where winners will compete in three categories: The Largest Kite, Most Innovative Design and Best National Flag.
In addition to Qatar, visiting countries taking part in the competition include: Austria, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Maurizio Cecie, President of the oldest kite flying club in Italy, ‘Vulandra’ (or ‘Kite’ in the dialect of Ferrara, an ancient city in northern Italy), said that their kites are inspired by sculptural designs. Each of their kite is painted with two colours, and white is mostly dominant.
Kadek Dwiarmika from Bali, Indonesia is in Qatar for the first time.
It’s been great so far. People are very friendly. Shortly before I came to Doha, I took part in the Malaysian Kite Festival where I won the ‘Most Beautiful Kite’ award. My passion for designing kites started when I was a child. My designs are inspired by natural elements and East Asian heritage. One of my kites is made up of bamboo sticks, and other kite from coconut sticks and paper. I called the latter ‘metamorphosis’ because it symbolises the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.’
Various Activities for Everyone on the Sidelines
Visitors of Aspire Park can enjoy a wide array of fun activities on the sidelines of th Festival including painting, arts and crafts sessions and a ‘Find Your Picture’ maze. AZF has also organised two kite selling stalls and more than 25 food and beverage stalls.
For more information about the 2nd Aspire International Kite Festival, visit the event website.