Morocco’s Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Sara Bint Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar presided over a traditional ‘Tbourida’ – Fantasia- show, a majestic equestrian performance marking the grand finale of the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year 2024, on Tuesday at the Al Shaqab Equestrian Center in Doha.
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عرض التبوريدة المغربي الأصيل 🇲🇦17/12/2024
Tbourida Moroccan Equestrian Performance 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/XaGkpesxJL— Al Shaqab (@AlShaqab) December 17, 2024
The Tbourida Show, a celebrated traditional Moroccan equestrian art inscribed on UNESCO’s “Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage” since 2021, paid tribute to Morocco’s rich cultural traditions and longstanding reverence for horses and horsemanship. Known for its combination of speed, precision, and elegance, Tbourida has been practiced for centuries to mark festive occasions.
The ceremony opened with a video presentation highlighting the key moments of the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year 2024, an initiative launched by “Years of Culture,” showcasing the profound historical ties between Morocco and Qatar, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Morocco’s Press’s Agency (MAP) reported.
The audience witnessed an impressive performance by five Sorbas (teams), each showcasing their equestrian prowess in four rounds of Tbourida. Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Sara Bint Hamad Al-Thani were saluted by the Moqaddems (leaders) of the participating Sorbas, representing regions such as Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Casablanca-Settat, and Béni Mellal-Khénifra.
At the end of the performance, Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Sara Bint Hamad Al-Thani posed for a commemorative photo with the Moqaddems to honor their contributions to this cultural showcase.
The event also celebrated the collaborative spirit behind the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year 2024. Its diverse program, held in both countries, spotlighted Moroccan art, heritage, and creativity. Highlights included the exhibition of Berber royal jewelry, the immersive Dar Al Maghreb pavilion inspired by Ksar Aït Benhaddou’s architecture, and cultural exhibitions like Splendors of the Atlas and Ektashif: Morocco. The Caftan fashion show brought Moroccan fashion excellence to the Qatari capital.
In return, Morocco hosted prestigious international events such as the Longines Global Champions Tour in Rabat, showcasing equestrian excellence, and the Qatar Africa Business Forum, held in Marrakech, alongside the renowned Fashion Trust Arabia, a celebration of Arab fashion and creativity.
The Tbourida show in Doha perfectly encapsulated the spirit of cultural exchange and the enduring friendship between Morocco and Qatar, concluding a year of rich artistic and cultural collaborations that celebrated the shared values and traditions of both nations.