24 August 7, 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 performers. Buika, Seal and Kadim Al Sahir are to perform at this year’s festival.

El Jem: Through August 20th

About 160km south of Tunis, El Jem Roman amphitheatre hosts classical musicians from all over The Caracalla Dance Theatre performs during the Baalbek International Festival in ’s eastern Bekaa valley near the border with the world for El Jem International Syria, on July 22nd. Festival of Symphonic Music. In its 31st year, the festival programme includes symphonic and orches- tral music from Ukraine, Italy, Lebanese summer festivals Austria, South Africa and Tunisia. Hammamet, Tunisia: Through August 20th

Hammamet, a Tunisian town on celebrate life, culture the northern edge of the Gulf of Hammamet, hosts the 52nd Ham- Samar Kadi mamet International Festival. Con- certs and plays are scheduled for more than a month. Artists such as Hindi Zahra, Buika, Ibrahim Maalouf, Cheb Khaled and Goran Bregovic are to perform. nternational rock sensation Mika, world-famous jazz singer Baalbek, Lebanon: Lisa Simone, electric music pio- Through August 28th neer Jean-Michel Jarre and the Romeo and Juliet ballet were Set in the Roman ruins in the city Iamong the array of music celebri- of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, ties and cultural events featured at the International Baalbek Festival Lebanon’s vibrant summer festivals stages operas, classical music, pop in 2016. and jazz concerts, modern and In addition to 12 international classical dance by international events, including renowned festi- and local artists. The 2016 festival vals in Baalbek and Beiteddine, 78 hosts artists Mika, Abeer Nehme, local cultural and music celebra- Jean-Michel Jarre, Lisa Simone tions were scheduled across the and others. country. All the while, not too far away, war raged in neighbouring : Syria while Lebanon is waging its September 2nd-4th own fight against fanaticism and in- tolerance. Syrian singer Lena Chamamyan (C) performs with musicians, including players Lebanese Considered one of the greatest “This is a proof of Lebanon’s resil- Charbel Rouhana (L) and Iraqi (R), during the Yamal el Sham concert at Beiteddine comic operas, The Barber of Seville ience and attachment of the people International Art Festival, Mount Lebanon, on July 23rd. will be performed at the Dubai to their right for life, joy, and cul- Opera. The opera was written by ture. This is our way to resist against Today, in every region you have an Lebanon and know the Lebanese day, terrorism is spreading fear and Gioachino Rossini, who focused terrorism.” said Lebanese Minister association organising such events public,” de Freige said. “Big names destabilising the whole region,” his story on the adventures of of Culture Raymond Areiji. with the aim of reviving the local in the music world like Mika, Louisa de Freige said. “Nonetheless, we handsome young Count Almaviva “Our country is physically at- economy and attracting visitors. Simone and Jean-Michel Jarre were should keep on moving ahead and as he courts the lovely Rosina tacked by these terrorists who do Why not, since it has a lot of positive happy to oblige.” use all our energy and dynamism despite her jealous guardian’s at- not like our culture, our diversity impact?” The Ministry of Culture has just in advancing cultural life. It is with tempts to stop him. and open-mindedness. They want In addition to promoting Leba- rehabilitated the exterior of the culture that we can combat extrem- to destroy this feature (of Lebanon), non’s image and enhancing the lo- Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek’s most ism.” Dubai: while we fight (back) by promoting cal economy, the festival season impressive monument and where September 8th-16th and developing our cultural life. invigorates domestic tourism, the the festival’s main events take place. This is what I call ‘cultural resist- minister said, adding: “It motivates The work consisted of reinforcing The Dubai International Dance ance’.” people to travel around the country the temple’s columns, cleaning Festival is a multi-arts event that Lebanon has been hit by sev- and interact with compatriots from the stones, fencing the site and has a reputation for attracting eral terrorist attacks since the Syr- other regions. They get to know restoring passages. well-known dance companies, ian conflict erupted more than five each other better, which is a healthy All the historic sites from Baal- classical dance academies, youth years ago, including a spate of sui- sign.” bek to Tyre, Byblos and Beited- orchestras, bands and music cide bombings in June on the border Festival organisers are happy to dine Palace are placed at the ensembles from around the world. village of al-Qaa, a short distance see their efforts to put on world- disposal of festival organ- The festival is a catalyst for the from Baalbek. class shows being appreciated. isers for free as part of creation of new work and creative “We should congratulate the the ministry’s contribu- activity, with an education pro- Lebanese public for their joie de tion and support, Areiji All the historic sites gramme and artistic collaborations vivre and for not letting fear ground pointed out. involving organisations through- from Baalbek to them. Anxiety and apprehension He noted that, de- out the United Arab Emirates, the prevail not only in Lebanon but in spite the very diffi- Tyre and Byblos and rest of the Middle East and the France, Brussels and Istanbul, etc. cult conditions that world. Beiteddine Palace Today, there is no more danger in the region is experi- Baalbek than elsewhere,” said Nayla encing, Lebanon has been are placed at the Marrakech: de Freige, head of the committee enjoying a vibrant cul- disposal of festival September 16th-18th of Baalbek International Festival, tural life, be it in cinema organisers for free. which marked its 60th anniversary and theatre productions, The Oasis Music Festival celebrates this summer. artistic creations or liter- electronic music. In its second “Despite the potential risks, peo- Organising a festival in Baalbek, a ary work. year, the festival takes place at ple are travelling to Baalbek and short distance from the Syrian bor- “The Lebanese cinema the Source Music Resort in Mar- attending the festival. They are der, is particularly challenging de- is improving despite its rakech and includes three days of defying certain possible dangers, spite the unique venue at the heart limited means; every day performances from international refusing to be intimidated but (on of the famous Roman metropolis in there is a signing of new electronic musicians such as Da- the contrary) encouraging cultural Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley. “It books and inauguration of vid August, Omar Souleyman and activity,” Areiji said. He stressed has been a permanent challenge but, arts exhibitions, new mu- Prins Thomas. the army and security forces had year after year, we have acquired seums and art galleries are stepped up security efforts to ensure this dynamics aiming higher, espe- opening in addition to an- public safety during festival season. cially as we celebrate our 60th anni- nual cultural events such We welcome submissions of Commenting on the flurry of fes- versary, we wanted to reinforce our as Beirut Art Fair and Bei- calendar items related to tivals sweeping the country, Areiji cultural message,” de Freige said. rut Art Week. I believe that cultural events of interest said: “In Lebanon not everything is Convincing international artists to we have a very healthy explainable, neither in politics nor perform in the Middle East proved cultural life and people to travellers in the Middle in the society. to be a daunting task. “At first no are attached to it,” Areiji East and North Africa. “The festivals have had a con- one wanted to hear about coming to added. Lebanese singer Soumaya tagious effect. Traditionally, it has the region, so we decided to proceed De Freige said cultural life should Baalbaki performs during the Please send tips to: been Baalbek and Beiteddine, then differently, getting in touch with art- continue against the many odds to Beiteddine International Art [email protected] came Byblos and Tyre festivals. ists who already have affinities with which Lebanon is exposed. “To- Festival, on July 29th.