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24 July 9, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com Agenda Dubai: Through July 27 “Modernist Women of Egypt,” an exhibit of work by Egyp- tian female artists, takes place at the Green Art Gallery on Alserkal Avenue in Dubai. The works on display date from 1950-1970 and show the evolu- tion of styles that shape the Egyptian identity of today and reflect the direct and emotion- al effects of political unrest in Egypt and the rest of the world at the time. Marrakech: Through July 31 The Marrakech Festival of Pop- ular Arts and Folklore showcas- es Moroccan traditions, music, dance and costumes through the ages. There are concerts, exhibitions and Moroccan street troupe performances. The square and the old mosque in Deir el Qamar. (Samar Kadi) El Jem: Through August 12 El Jem Roman Amphitheatre, about 160km south of Tunis, hosts classical musicians Deir el Qamar, from all over the world for the International Festival of Symphony Music of El Jem. In its 32nd year, the festival pro- the capital of gramme includes symphonic and orchestral music from Ukraine, Italy, Austria, China Lebanon’s emirs and Tunisia. Beiteddine: Samar Kadi name to a massive rock discov- Through August 12 ered during the construction of its main church, Saïdet el Talle — the The Beiteddine Art Festival, in Deir el Qamar Church of Our Lady of the Hill — Lebanon’s Chouf Mountains, which has been destroyed and re- includes a variety of perfor- t is known as the capital of built many times. mances from opera and con- the emirs who ruled Mount “While digging to set the church certs to theatre and art exhibi- Lebanon for centuries under pillars, a rock decorated with a tions. The festival welcomes the Ottomans. Situated in half-moon under a cross was dis- more than 50,000 visitors as Lebanon’s historical heart- covered on the site. The rock is well as numerous star perform- Iland of the Chouf Mountains, Deir now part of the structure of the ers. Majida el-Roumi, Pink el Qamar — the “Monastery of the church’s old door and a reference Martini and Kadim al-Sahir Moon” — is one of the most fa- to the name Deir el Qamar,” Rinno are to perform at this year’s mous towns in Lebanon because said. festival. of its well-preserved features and Two dynasties of emirs — the the important role it played in the Maans and the Chehabs — ruled Baalbek: country’s history. Lebanon from Deir el Qamar from Through August 15 1590 to the early 19th century when Emir Bachir Chehab II moved the Set in the Roman ruins in the Post-war reconciliation capital to the nearby town of Beit- city of Baalbek in eastern Leba- eddine. It was also the hometown between the The Church of Saïdet El Talle, or the Church of Our Lady of the non, the Baalbek International of Camille Chamoun, Lebanon’s Christian and Druze Hill, in Deir el Qamar. (Samar Kadi) Festival stages opera, classical second post-independence presi- music, pop and jazz concerts communities brought dent (1952-58). and modern and classical some life back to Deir Among the most famous sites merchants, an old barracks known “During the Israeli occupation in dance performed by interna- in Deir el Qamar is Emir Fakhred- as the Kharj, an open market place 1982, an Israeli soldier celebrated tional and Lebanese artists. el Qamar. dine’s mosque, the first in Mount called the Kaisariyyeh and many his wedding in this synagogue,” This year’s festival welcomes Lebanon, constructed in 1493 and homes with two arched windows said Antoinette Eter, who lives trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf Declared a World Heritage Site restored by Fakhreddine 1st Maan typical of the region. nearby. “Even (former Israeli Prime and singer Samira Said among by UNESCO, Deir el Qamar not only for his Muslim mercenaries. The “The Kaisariyyeh is the old ver- Minister Ariel) Sharon attended the other performers. preserves its grand feudal architec- square mosque with its octago- sion of a stock market,” Rinno said. wedding. His helicopter landed just ture, it maintains its old stepped nal minaret is in the middle of a “The prices of silk, olive oil, wheat, here on the roof of this building.” Carthage: streets, walled gardens, ancient large square, or Midane, that was gold, etc., were fixed there. A price A totally Christian town in a main- July 13-August 19 winding cobbled alleyways and originally used for jousts and other list for all commodities was then ly Druze stronghold, Deir el Qamar picturesque corners. equestrian contests. issued before it was distributed to had its share of violence when it The Carthage International “It was the first capital of Leba- The town also counts several markets across the country.” was besieged for three months and Festival is one of the most non and its main political and eco- palaces, including that of Emir Merchants used the public mar- its residents displaced in 1983, at compelling arts and cultural nomic centre for hundreds of years. Fakhreddine II, which today houses ket to sell their silk, which was a the height of Lebanon’s 1975-90 events in North Africa, drawing It also had the first municipality to the Marie Baz wax museum featur- flourishing trade at the time. With civil war. While post-war recon- a mix of local and international be established in the region, back ing effigies of men and women who its open courtyard, its central foun- ciliation between the Christian and performers to Tunisia over in 1864,” municipal council mem- played a part in Lebanon’s history, tain and shaded areas beneath the Druze communities brought back a period of several weeks. It ber Elie Rinno said. a restored silk souk where rows surrounding arches, the building some life to Deir el Qamar, only takes place at the Carthage Deir el Qamar owes its unusual of arched alcoves once sheltered was built in the classic “Khan” or 1,000 of its original population of Amphitheatre. caravansary style of the Mamelouk more than 15,000 have returned and Ottoman eras. Nowadays, cul- permanently, Rinno noted. Jerash: tural events are organised within its “Many have resettled in Beirut or July 20-August 5 walls. emigrated. However, in summer it Lebanon’s old capital also re- gets busy and the population climbs The Jerash Festival of Culture flected the country’s cultural and to 4,000 as some families spend the and Arts, first organised in religious diversity. In addition to school holiday here,” he said. 1980, transforms the ancient the mosque, the town has several For many years, the municipal- Jordanian city of Jerash into old churches belonging to different ity has organised summer festivi- one of the world’s liveliest sects of Christianity — Maronite, ties to attract visitors, including cultural events. With singers, Catholic and Greek Orthodox — and “la journée des sentiers” or the “al- poetry readings, ballet perfor- a synagogue. leyways day” when the town’s old mances, symphony orchestras The synagogue was built in the paths turn into an open partying and art shows, the Jerash 17th century to serve the local Jew- space with food stalls, music and Festival showcases Jordanian ish population, some of whom were dance. culture in many different areas. part of the immediate entourage of Deir el Qamar is famous for its Fakhreddine II. The building has embroidery products, a traditional We welcome submissions of been closed to the public due to se- craft mastered by local women as- calendar items related to curity considerations. While it was sociations. cultural events of interest to being restored, all religious sym- “The history and tradition of feu- travellers in the Middle East bols were removed and the syna- dal Lebanon is accumulated here,” and North Africa. gogue has been entrusted to the Rinno said. “Deir el Qamar is like a Please send tips to: Effigies of people who played a role in Lebanon’s history at the French cultural centre, which uses bank where Lebanese history is de- [email protected] wax museum in Deir el Qamar. (Samar Kadi) it as a library. posited.”.

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