The best of Qatar in 2022: A celebration of nature, music and sport

From baby sea turtles to sport science, traditional Qatari sea songs and World Cup soundtracks, Qatar has provided some fascinating highlights in 2022. With Qatar 365, Euronews went on a musical journey, and delved deeper into sports in the country, as well as the science of injuries.

Every year, a section of Fuwairit Beach in Qatar welcomes some unexpected visitors: female hawksbill turtles. 

Each turtle lays on average 70-80 eggs per nest on the beach, and about 75% of those hatch successfully. Local scientists often relocate many eggs to protect them from the elements.

Back on land, there’s one animal that is extremely important to Qatar: the camel. These majestic creatures can be traced back throughout the country’s history, as the constant companions of the nomadic Bedouin tribes that travelled across the region. 

Qatar hosts an annual camel beauty pageant, where the camels are judged on their proportions, coats, size of their lips and length of their eyelashes. The most beautiful camel takes home prize money of more than €350,000!

Another animal with a long history in Qatar is the falcon -- the country's national bird. Every year the International Falcons and Hunting Festival takes place deep in the desert, and hundreds of falconers come to compete in a sport that dates back centuries. 

Whether traditional or modern, Arabic or international, or a fusion of both, Qatar’s growing music scene has a little something for everyone.

Katara Studios is responsible for producing the uplifting lead single, Hayya Hayya, for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official soundtrack. It's the first time the tournament’s soundtrack features multiple songs, bringing together international artists and sounds fitting for a truly global game.

Matt