The Doha International Music and Marching Festival (Doha Tattoo) made its debut Tuesday at Katara Cultural Village, bringing together renowned military bands for a global celebration of music and marching traditions.
The event, under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Commander Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in collaboration with Visit Qatar, will run until December 20.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed al-Mannai, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, alongside senior state officials.
Organisers stressed that the opening marked a notable Qatari evening, as Doha added a new chapter to its cultural and artistic journey, highlighting military music as a shared cultural language that brings nations together.
The programme features military band performances in a visually engaging setting that combines military discipline with artistic expression, uniting sound and movement as Eastern and Western cultures converge at Katara.
Participating bands include Qatari ensembles from the Ministry of Defence, the MoI, the Amiri Guard and Lekhwiya, alongside bands from Oman, Jordan, the UK, the US, Turkiye, and Kazakhstan.
The bands performed pieces inspired by global military music traditions, celebrating rhythm, culture, and unity in a setting that fosters cultural exchange and honours long-standing military customs, reflecting the warmth, peace, and security that characterise events hosted in Doha.
The festival opened with a performance by the Lekhwiya Band, presenting a programme of national military compositions delivered through co-ordinated rhythms and structured formations.
It reflected the band’s strong collective cohesion and was met with positive audience engagement for its celebratory character and national significance.
The Jordanian Armed Forces Band, joined by the Silent Drill Team of the Royal Jordanian Guard and the Jordanian Circassian Guard, presented a performance rooted in long-standing military tradition.
The Omani Royal Guard Military Band delivered a performance that showcased the Sultanate’s military musical identity through a selection of national and military compositions.
Representing the UK, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force performed alongside the King’s Colour Squadron and the Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums.
The programme included classical military compositions and national pieces, presented through carefully co-ordinated musical arrangements and ceremonial movement, reflecting the United Kingdom’s established military music tradition.
The Qatari Armed Forces Band presented a programme of national and military compositions performed through structured formations and co-ordinated brass arrangements.
A joint pipes and drums performance brought together ensembles from Qatar, Oman, Jordan and the UK.
Featuring 140 pipers performing in a unified formation, the presentation highlighted the collective nature of military music and its ability to convey messages of co-operation and shared purpose.
The US Air Force Honour Guard Band presented a performance combining musical elements with silent drill movements.
The presentation focused on co-ordinated formations and ceremonial precision, offering a distinctive display that was met with strong audience appreciation.
The Turkish Gendarmerie Band and the Mehter Band presented a programme that reflected one of the oldest military music traditions in the world.
Featuring traditional and contemporary compositions performed with brass instruments and structured formations, the presentation highlighted the historical depth of Turkiye’s military musical heritage.
The Band of the Irish Guards delivered a performance combining traditional and modern musical selections.
The programme featured brass and woodwind arrangements supported by organised marching formations, creating a refined presentation that resonated well with the audience.
The Honour Guard of the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan and the Central Military Band of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan presented a programme that blended traditional and modern musical elements.
The first day of the festival concluded with a performance by the MoI Band, represented by the Police Academy Drill Team.
The festival featured a theatrical Qatari narrative titled *The Tale of Jassim, depicting the evolution of life in Qatar from the desert to the sea and onward to modern Doha.
