The second edition of Visit Qatar’s “Throwback Food Festival” returns at Doha’s Old Port with new additions and exciting experiences.
The festival celebrates the country’s local heritage through traditional cuisine and cultural experiences, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the past.
“Throwback Food Festival is a unique experience that celebrates Qatar’s rich heritage through a variety of events that include traditional cuisine, cultural performances, and interactive competitions,” said Visit Qatar festivals and events delivery manager Hamad al-Khaja. “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.”
Throwback Food Festival brings the old Qatari souqs to life through the “Dakkan” initiative, which recreates the flavours of old Qatar, where visitors can sample traditional foods and sweets from the Tayyibin generation.
The experience allows visitors to relive their childhood through the dishes they grew up with, in an atmosphere that is full of the flavours of the past.
The Folk Games Kiosk hosts competitions that reflect the spirit of Qatari traditions, where visitors can participate in traditional games in a lively Ramadan atmosphere.
The Throwback Food Festival Theatre offers 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, as well as the “Treasure Hunt” competition, which invites participants to solve heritage puzzles and interact with different stalls to discover the secrets of the past.
Set in a lively atmosphere that embraces heritage, the Hakawati tells stories about the history of local cuisine and hospitality, with sound effects and traditional costumes reflecting the spirit of the past.
At the Puppet Theatre, children and families can enjoy a puppet show that tells stories about Qatari cuisine and the importance of hospitality and traditions.
The festival 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.
There will also be a “Secret Ingredient Challenge” where chefs will have to prepare dishes using surprising ingredients, making the competition even more exciting.
There will be 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 full of colour, joy, and memories.
The festival celebrates the country’s local heritage through traditional cuisine and cultural experiences.
