Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2015 begins its five-day food celebrations tomorrow. The co-organisers, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways (QA), have strived hard to make this year’s entertainments as family-friendly as possible.

QatarLiving.com, the biggest online portal in the country, is proud to be the official media partner for this annual event.

Brilliant performances have been arranged to be held throughout the festival in the ‘Stage Zone’ with specially invited regional acts and musicians. It is intended that visitors will be able to enjoy a deeper insight into regional musical acts and entertainments.

QIFF 2015 is a showcase for different food cultures, but it is also a showcase for the musical heritages of different cultures and countries. Dancers have prepared exceptional performances for visitors, and there is also expected to be some solo break-dancers showing off their moves.

Qatar will highlight its own cultural legacy with Arda male dancers, performing with swords to drumbeats and vocal music known as Gulf Mawawi. With its roots in the tribal history of Qatar, the performance is a socio-cultural show of allegiance and loyalty.  

Lebanese pop singer and songwriter, Tarek Sidani, will be performing at the event – expect to hear tracks from his new album ‘Write Your Own Stories’. 

Professional musicians, ‘Chef Orchestra’, will play traditional and folk music on pipe instruments, whilst the ‘Drummers’ band will be expected to vitalise the audience with their drumming beats.

A famous Egyptian Tanoura band will be performing the dance style which is popular throughout the Arab world. The band has participated in national concerts and events in their home country. The members are all self-taught, carrying out their traditional musical birthright as passed on through their ancestors.

The band performs shows with traditional musical instruments such as the oboes, rababa, drums and rebecs. Accompanied by a traditional singer of religious recitations, the band includes male dancers who wear long colorful skirts and perform whirling dances, moving to special rhythms.

Fireworks are planned every evening with most shows beginning at 8.30pm, excluding the first (6pm) and last day (9.30pm).

Entry to QIFF 2015 is free. All entertainments are planned for the enjoyment of visitors. Certain attractions, such as ‘Dinner in the Sky’, will have their own pricing packages. However, there will be free activities planned for the event so it is possible to enjoy a fun-filled family day out on a budget.

As a reminder the festival will run from Tuesday 24th March until Saturday 28th March (Tuesday 24th March, 5pm – 10.30pm; Wednesday 25th – Saturday 28th March, 1.30pm – 10.30pm).

For more details: 'Qatar International Food Festival - EVERYTHING you need to know' or ‘Qatar International Food Festival 2015: What To Expect’.

Are you planning to attend? What are you looking forward to the most?

[PC HME and TS and QIFF]