Summer Festival 2023
On June 24th, QAIC hosted its much-anticipated Summer Festival, bringing together a vibrant community of creative minds, food enthusiasts, and comedy lovers. The summer festival is usually celebrated in July, but we moved the day to dedicate it for World Refugee Day to raise awareness about the beauty of middle eastern culture and heritage through all our art workshops, culinary experiences, comedy festival, and community-based offerings. QAIC also celebrated the official opening of our newest exhibition, Pearls of Wonder: a digital era, with fresh and cooked oysters with our community thanks to Excelerate Energy.
The festival kicked off with two captivating “Beyond Borders” workshops led by the talented Nadine Zaza, founder of Culture Crate. Participants had the incredible opportunity to explore the world of creative design in the MENA region as Nadine showcased the remarkable application of design thinking principles in traditional Arab artifacts and Arab apparel. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the rich cultural heritage and innovative design work in the region.
As the workshops concluded, the tantalizing aroma of mouthwatering kebabs filled the air. Our festivalgoers gathered around the BBQ station where Chef Fikri and his team delighted everyone with their culinary skills. From perfectly grilled kebabs to an array of delectable side dishes, the food was amazing. Inside, guests could try a variety of dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) from all over the MENA region and vote on their favorite countries dish. Guests were
In the evening, the festival took a comedic turn with a comedy show produced by Rola Z and featured Rola Z, Mohanad Elshieky, Yasmin El Hady, and Laura Laham. It was a much-needed dose of humor that put smiles on everyone’s faces and created a joyful atmosphere as they departed from our building.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Nadine Zaza, Chef Fikri and his team, Rola Z and the talented comedians for sharing their expertise and making the QAIC Summer Festival an unforgettable experience. QAIC is committed to fostering a vibrant community of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs; events like the Summer Festival are a testament to that commitment. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to connect with our community members and guests on this special day. With the Summer Festival now at a close, we are grateful to everyone who joined us and became a part of the QAIC community for the day. Your presence and enthusiasm made the event truly special.
QAIC is looking forward to hosting more open house days like this one in the future. We will continue to provide opportunities for learning, networking, and celebration as we strive to nurture innovation and creativity in our community.
A sincere thank you to our partners, Excelerate Energy, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for their support, and to all our visitors for making the QAIC Summer Festival a resounding success.
