Qatar’s Annual Tribute to a Living Tradition
Now in its 17th year, the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival ‘Marmi 2026’ is Qatar’s flagship celebration of falconry. The tradition runs deep: in 2011, falconry was inscribed on UNESCO‘s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a recognition Qatar has taken seriously ever since.
Every year, the vast salt flats of Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine transform into something extraordinary, a gathering place where falconers from across the Gulf and beyond come to compete, connect, and keep a centuries-old way of life going.Scale and Patronage
The 17th edition of the festival ran from January 1 to 24, 2026, under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani and organized by the Qatar Al Gannas Association with support from the Daam Fund. Thousands of falconers from Qatar, the Gulf, and beyond showed up, competitors, breeders, and enthusiasts alike.
This wasn’t just one competition; it was a full program of events spanning speed, beauty, marksmanship, and more:
- Hadd Al Tahaddi (Haddad Challenge): Young peregrine falcons compete in a chase test. A homing pigeon is released first, followed by the falcon. Catch it to win QR 100,000 and a chance to drive away in a Lexus.
- Al Talaa Championship: Pure speed over 400 meters, featuring separate qualifying rounds for juvenile and qarnass categories across Gyr, Saker, and Free Falcons.
- Saluki Racing: Purebred Arabian Salukis race 2 kilometers across the desert, testing speed, stamina, and heritage.
- Mazayin (Beauty) Championship: A prestigious contest judging the most beautiful falcon based on shape, feathers, and overall excellence.
- Shooting Championships: Open to pros and amateurs, with real stakes. The top finisher earns a spot on Qatar’s national shooting team.
A New Identity and Continuous Evolution
The 2026 edition showcased a new visual identity. This year’s edition came with a fresh look, a new visual identity rooted in Qatari heritage, with the venue’s design drawing on historic architecture and the natural colors of Qatar’s landscape. The festival’s spokesperson put it simply: every edition gets better. After seventeen years, the organizers know what works, and they keep raising the bar, refining rules, adding categories, and pushing the competition forward. The theme of Marmi 2026 was its deliberate focus on youth. This year’s edition placed special emphasis on the youth category through the introduction and development of promising falconer rounds, a step aimed at instilling a love of falconry and preserving its heritage among younger generations.
Marmi 2026 shows how Qatar keeps heritage from becoming a museum piece. By pairing UNESCO recognition with royal patronage, real prize money, and genuine investment in young people, the festival makes falconry feel alive rather than preserved under glass. It’s a tradition with a future, and Qatar is making sure of it.
Source: QNA
