‘Halifax has embraced the culture': Crowds shawarming to Lebanese Festival

posted on: Jul 9, 2015

Lebanese dishes, dancing and music are set to take over the Olympic Hall this weekend.

In its 14th year, the Lebanese Festival in Halifax on the corner of Windsor and Cunard streets kicks off Thursday afternoon with trivia and folk dancing before the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., and runs until Sunday evening with free admission.

“Every Lebanese food you could dream up, it’s there,” festival spokeswoman Nicole Khoury said Wednesday about favourites like chicken shawarma, tabouli, hummus, and zaatar prepared on a saj.
Sweets like baklava, knafe and maamoul are always popular, Khoury added.

This year, Khoury said the festival will also have a breakfast sandwich option with cheese on the zaatar, instead of the regular sesame dressing.

“It’s kind of like our version of a grilled cheese,” she said.

Besides the always-popular food options, Khoury said organizers have also tried to add more music and dancing performances than ever to this year’s lineup, including “teach me how to Dabke” Lebanese dance lessons, some The Voice-style singing competitions, cooking competitions, lip sync battles and an open-air party with live music every night except Thursday.

There are also game show events such as Minute to Win It, trivia, folk dances with performers from junior to senior levels, backgammon, and tours of St. Antonios Orthodox Church.

During the opening ceremonies, Khoury said they’re expecting local dignitaries including Premier Stephen McNeil, which marks the first time the Nova Scotia government leader has stopped by.

There is also a kid’s section with bouncy castles, while Khoury said a superhero and princesss tea party are also planned.

“The food is amazing every year, but people don’t realize how much more we have to offer,” Khoury said.
“We’ve been really focusing on our entertainment value.”

Although the festival began in 2001 as a way for the Lebanese community to celebrate together and form “a home away from home,” Khoury said now it’s turned into something much bigger.

“Now we’re not celebrating for us, we’re celebrating for the whole city because Halifax has embraced the culture,” Khoury said.

Visit the lebanesefestival.ca for a full schedule.

Source: metronews.ca