24 July 31, 2016 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Beiteddine: Through August 9th

The Beiteddine Art Festival, in picturesque Beiteddine in the Chouf mountains, has a variety of performances, including opera, concerts, theatre and art exhibi- tions. The festival welcomes more than 50,000 visitors, as well as numerous star perform- ers. Buika, Seal and Kadim Al Sahir are to perform at this year’s festival.

Carthage: Through August 20th

The International Festi- val is one of the most compelling arts and cultural events in North , drawing a mix of local and international performers to Tuni- sia over a period of several weeks. It takes place at the Carthage amphitheatre.

El Jem: Through August 20th

Night concert in El Jem amphitheatre. About 160km south of Tunis, El Jem hosts classical musicians from all over the world for El Jem International Festival of Symphonic Music. In its 31st year, the festival programme includes shows of symphonic and orchestral music from Ukraine, The night train to El Italy, Austria, South Africa and .

Baalbek, Lebanon: Jem’s magical shows Through August 28th Set in the Roman ruins in the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, Roua Khlifi impressive ruins in the 21st century Laayouni said: “The festival specialised in certain musical gen- the International Baalbek Festival host classical artists who play music works along with travel agencies res, which brought about the idea stages opera, classical music, pop for hundreds of concertgoers in the to attract tourists to attend the fes- of having a symphonic festival es- and jazz concerts, modern and El Jem, Tunisia light of candles that decorate the tival during the months of July and pecially since the amphitheatre in- classical dance by international steps of the venue. August. One of the objectives of the spires that kind of music,” he said. and local artists. The 2016 festival he night train trip to El Since its launch in 1986, the fes- festival is to promote the town as a While organisers expressed joy at hosts artists Mika, Abeer Nehme, Jem is no ordinary jour- tival has aimed to promote cultural destination for cultural tourism in a the success of the opening perfor- Jean Michel Jarre, Lisa Simone ney. Musicians play to tourism. It showcases classical way that visitors plan their summer mance, they highlighted the impor- and others. entertain passengers, who music and attracted a specialised according to the programme of the tance of the role such a festival has impatiently await arrival audience. Since 2015, the festival shows.” in reviving tourism in the interior of Tto the Roman amphitheatre in El has been organised by the Associa- Since the festival is hosted in the Tunisia. Dubai: Jem. tion of the International Festival of amphitheatre of El Jem, concertgo- September 2nd-4th Once there, the lights of the Ro- Symphonic Music of El Jem, which ers have the opportunity to discover The festival, running man amphitheatre shine into the is in charge of cultural activities in the history and culture of the place Considered one of the greatest sky, inviting visitors in. Inside the the town. as well as international symphonic through August 20th, comic operas composed, The Bar- theatre, the opening show of the “The festival was founded in 1986 orchestras. Classified as a UNESCO is an opportunity for ber of Seville will be performed at 31st International El Jem Festival of by Mohamed Ennaceur, the mayor World Heritage, the Amphitheatre fans of symphonic the Dubai Opera. The opera was Symphonic Music, featuring classi- of El Jem then and the speaker of of El Jem is a stunning venue where written by Gioachino Rossini, cal artists from around the world, the Tunisian parliament in the pre- classical musicians entertain festi- music. who focused his story on the kicked off with a performance of sent day,” said Mabrouk Laayouni, val-goers to the magic of art shows adventures of handsome young Carmina Burana by the National Ra- president of the Association of the intertwined with the splendour of Count Almaviva as he courts the dio Company of Ukraine Symphony International Festival. “This year, history. “The festival was opened by an lovely Rosina despite her jealous Orchestra. we are celebrating the 31st edition “The audience should come not orchestra that has not played in Tu- guardian’s attempts to stop him. The festival, running through Au- of a festival that has helped pro- only to enjoy the music but also nis for a quarter of a century. It was gust 20th, is an opportunity for fans mote cultural tourism primarily and to enjoy the beauty of the place a moment of meeting between Tu- of symphonic music to discover a continued to do so till today.” at night with its special lighting,” nisians from different parts of the Byblos: variety of performances presented Outside the amphitheatre, hun- Laayouni added. country and also tourists who have September 8th-12th by international orchestras in the dreds of concertgoers line up in Laayouni said the festival was es- come from different places,” Laay- majestic El Jem amphitheatre. front of the gates. They come from tablished as part of a national policy ouni said. The Lebanon Latin Festival takes The El Jem Amphitheatre, 160km different parts of Tunisia and differ- to promote specialised festivals. “It was an opportunity for tour- place in Edde Sands with more south of Tunis, used to be the site ent countries to enjoy the music and “During the ‘80s, the government ists to leave their hotels and discov- than 90 artists from around the of Roman games and battles. The the unique setting of the festival. encouraged the creation of festivals er the interior regions through at- world. Dance workshops will be tendance of a concert at the famous given in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, amphitheatre of El Jem. Tunisia is cha cha cha, hip-hop, Samba, finally reviving its prestigious im- Lambada, Oriental, Dabke and age. The success of the first show Afro-Cubano. Performances are paved the way for a successful sec- also scheduled. ond show with the Vienna Orches- tra. These shows attracted a record attendance.” Marrakech: To draw visitors from nearby September 16th-18th towns and Tunis, organisers pro- vided train trips to help concertgo- The Oasis Music Festival cel- ers get to and from the concert. ebrates electronic music. In its “There is a special train that takes second year, the festival takes visitors from Tunis to El Jem and place at the Source Music Resort waits for the audience to take them in Marrakech and includes three back to Tunis, making a few stops days of performances from on the way. The Tunisian railway international electronic musi- company collaborated with the fes- cians such as David August, Omar tival to ensure the trips,” Laayouni Souleyman and Prins Thomas. said. This year’s International El Jem We welcome submissions of Festival of Symphonic Music in- calendar items related to cludes seven weekly shows by or- chestras from Austria, Ukraine, cultural events of interest Italy and South Africa as well as to travellers in the Middle Tunisia. East and North Africa.

Roua Khlifiis a regular Travel and Please send tips to: Culture contributor to The Arab Outside the El Jem amphitheatre. Weekly. She is based in Tunis. [email protected]