Visit Qatar, the main arm of Qatar Tourism, has launched the second edition of ‘Throwback Food Festival’ at Doha’s Old Port, celebrating Qatar’s rich heritage through a variety of events that include traditional cuisine, cultural performances, and interactive competitions.
The second edition features new additions and exciting experiences, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the past.
Hamad Al Khaja, Manager of Festivals & Events Delivery at Visit Qatar, commented that, “This year, we have expanded the range of activities and enriched the experience, combining heritage markets, traditional games, folk tales, and artistic performances that reflect Qatar’s cultural identity. Through this event, we aim to provide an integrated experience that blends the authenticity of the past with the modernity of the present, making Throwback Food Festival one of the most prominent Ramadan events that enrich the tourism scene in Qatar.”
Throwback Food Festival revives the charm of old Qatari souks through the ‘Dakkan’ initiative, which recreates the flavors of old Qatar, where visitors can sample traditional foods and sweets from the Tayyibin generation.
This allows visitors to relive their childhood through the dishes they grew up with, in an atmosphere that is brimming with the flavors of the past.
The Folk Games Kiosk also hosts fun competitions that reflect the spirit of Qatari traditions, offering visitors a wonderful opportunity to take part in traditional games in a vibrant Ramadan atmosphere.
Enjoy quizzes and tales from the past
The Throwback Food Festival Theatre provides an array of artistic and cultural activities inspired by Qatar’s heritage. Visitors can enjoy interactive competitions such as ‘Kahoot’, which includes questions on popular foods, traditional crafts, and heritage events, with valuable prizes for the winners.
It also features ‘Treasure Hunt’ competition, inviting participants to solve heritage puzzles and interact with different stalls to discover the secrets of the past.
The Hakawati tells stories about the history of local cuisine and hospitality, brought to life with immersive sound effects and traditional costumes that reflect the spirit of the past.
For children and families, the Puppet Theatre presents charming puppet show that tells stories about Qatari cuisine and the importance of hospitality and traditions, in an interactive and entertaining way.
The festival also offers an interactive experience for culinary enthusiasts, with chefs competing in the ‘Local Flavour Challenge’ to prepare Qatari dishes with a creative twist, and the public participating in the ‘People’s Taste Challenge’ to choose the best dish.
Additionally, there will be a ‘Secret Ingredient Challenge’ where chefs will have to prepare dishes using surprising ingredients, making the competition even more exciting.
Discover folkloric performances and folk songs
The festival will host live musical performances featuring traditional songs and rhymes sung at majlis and weddings, and during food preparation such as grinding wheat and making bread, using drums, oud and marwas to add authenticity to the visitor’s experience. This year’s Garangao will also be a night filled with colors, joy, and memories.
Visit Qatar has launched “Welcome Our Dear Neighbours”, to further enhance the Ramadan experience in Qatar. The campaign is designed to welcome visitors from the GCC during the holy month of Ramadan for an exceptional Ramadan experience, revolving under the theme “Ramadan is better with you”, with Qatar Calendar’s events.
