24 March 18, 2016 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Tripoli: Until March 20th

The Hollywood Circus is moving to Tripoli. People are invited to be part of the show every Thurs- day to Sunday from 4pm to 8pm at the Rachid Karami Interna- tional Fair.

Beirut: Until March 20th

Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Performing Arts The Palm Island Reserve boasts crystal clear waters and unique marine life. is a musical celebration that takes place in various venues in Beirut with an emphasis on chamber music. The festival pro- motes and celebrates music from Palm Island Reserve, Lebanon’s all over the world and includes orchestral concerts, choral mu- sic, puppets, opera and dance. unique natural marine Park Tafraoute, Morocco: In March

The Almond Blossom Festival, Omar Ibrahim morning and picks you up at sunset. celebrated every year in Moroc- It is forbidden to have people on the co, sees villagers mark harvest island after nightfall.” time with Berber dancing, Tripoli, Lebanon The Island of the Rabbits, named singing and almond tastings. In- for the fast-breeding community of ternational musicians and actors alm Island Reserve, 10 furry animals introduced to the is- mingle with local performers nautical km offshore of land by French soldiers in the 1920s, to produce live events based on Lebanon’s northern city of is under the Barcelona Convention Moroccan folklore. Tripoli, is a chain of three for the Protection of the Mediterra- small islands rich with na- nean Sea Against Pollution because Doha: Ptive flora and fauna offering a natu- of its importance for nesting and During March ral respite for the city’s residents migratory birds, turtles and seals. and visitors from across the world. Ruins of an old church, dating from The International Kite Festival Open to the public from July until medieval times, stand on the rocky takes place in Katara, a village in October, Lebanon’s only protected part of the island, which also has a Doha, and attracts international marine life area is easily reached fresh water well. visitors for two days of culture from Tripoli’s fishing port of Al- “Fishermen are strictly forbid- and art. During the festival, the Mina. It takes about half-an-hour den to come close to the reserve or sky above Katara is dotted with for small fishing boats to get to the jeopardise the ecosystem, a breed- thousands of kites, including main Island of the Rabbits, which ing milieu for rare species threat- those flown by internation- boasts a sandy beach and a reserve ened with extinction. It is the only The reserve draws thousands of visitors during the summer ally recognised kite teams from known for rare green sea turtles and place in Lebanon with such marine months. India, the United States, China, other marine wildlife. life diversity,” said Ghassan Jaradi, a South Korea and Japan. Ac- Unlike the often murky, polluted conservation activist and president tivities scheduled include kite water off other cities on Lebanon’s of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve Amer Haddad, head of the Envi- and have a bigger number of um- workshops, face-painting and coast, the water at the Palm Island Management Committee. ronment Protection Committee in brellas to make it more comfort- street-painting. Reserve is a very clear turquoise. The committee employs two full- Tripoli, is as disillusioned as Srour. able. I believe the state should also Swimmers and snorkelers can clear- time guards but they can hardly “The Ministry of Environment has impose an entry fee to control the El Kef, Tunisia: ly see the rocky seabed. monitor violations and trespass- been totally inattentive to the Palm number of daily visitors,” he said. March 17th-20th The fine white sand on the beach- ing. “We need a comprehensive and Islands. These natural islands are But many people in Tripoli fear es is made of eroded limestone, well-equipped apparatus to prevent an environmental treasure, which development could be harmful. “I The second Sicca Jazz Festival which, in addition to creating a pris- violations. With just two people, we need a little attention to become am glad that there is no financing will enliven the city of El Kef and tine shoreline, is believed by local cannot have a proper surveillance a special tourist spot not only in for development. We prefer the is- its surroundings. Organised by fishermen to have healing proper- of the three islands making up the Lebanon but in the whole Arab re- land stay as it is, to remain virgin the Culture and Development ties for rheumatism and arthritis. reserve,” Jaradi said. gion,” Haddad said. One of the en- and natural without development,” Association, the festival aims to “Protecting the islands entails vironmental committee’s propos- Kabbara said. become an international event Despite the remote setting floating decks and a mooring als, the Biaa Bay, would establish a Despite the remote location, and a great destination for artists space away from the shore so boats marine park and specific sea routes the islands had their share of vio- and jazz lovers. location, the won’t need to throw their anchors to the islands and offer official fer- lence during Lebanon’s conflicts. islands had their in the sea and damage underwater ries for visitors departing from Bei- In 1984, Israel bombed the islands Dubai: share of violence fauna.”. rut’s Zaitunay Bay marina, Haddad alleging that Palestinian guerrillas Until April 9th Gaby Srour, a former member of says. He insisted that “the project were hiding there. The Lebanese during Lebanon’s Tripoli’s municipality, expressed won’t jeopardise the marine life Army spent the next decade clean- Global Village is the largest conflicts. his frustration with the govern- on the islands but takes into con- ing them of unexploded ordnance. seasonal cultural extravaganza ment’s neglect of the islands, which sideration the preservation of the The islands suffered again during in the region. Visitors can enjoy The island draws thousands of he said “have a great potential as a natural reserve and the unique eco- the 2006 war, when Israel, when Is- an array of festivals, shopping visitors on day trips for a ferry tick- tourist attraction”. system”. rael bombed the Jiyeh power plant, and entertainment in an open-air et price of $3.50. No restaurants or “We have tried for many years Haddad argues that coastal de- triggering an oil spill that washed theme park. The entertainment shops are available on the islands, to place the reserve on Lebanon’s velopment projects would provide over the islands’ shores, killing al- and shopping destination hosts only a kiosk selling water and soft tourism map and to secure funds jobs and improve the social and gae and other marine plant life that more than 70 participating drinks. for development and rehabilitation economic situation for residents of the delicate ecosystem depends countries with presentations in “It is the only inexpensive breath- projects without success. The re- Tripoli. on for survival. An internationally more than three dozen pavilions. ing space for the people of Tripoli serve needs funds to be able to play Khaled al-Mohamad, a frequent funded clean-up effort and imple- There are more than 50 fun rides where they can bring their own food its role as a tourism and ecological visitor of the island, argues that mentation of a strict monitoring and 26 restaurants offering food and drinks, spend a day at the beach site, especially after it was recog- the site needs basic renovation to system revived the islands. from around the world. and enjoy the clean waters,” said nised internationally as a secure make it more restful and suitable Samih Kabbara, a frequent visitor. stopover for migrating birds,” Srour for tourists. “It should be equipped Omar Ibrahim is a reporter based Dubai: “The ferry drops you off in the said. with proper showers and toilets in northern Lebanon. Until April 30th

Headlined by the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the Dubai Art Season this year will showcase the city’s artistic talent in sync with the UAE’s 2016 “Year of Reading”. For two months, the city will be envel- oped in artistic and cultural activities such as fine art exhibi- tions, calligraphy exhibitions, music performances, outdoor art projects, youth theatre, museum exhibitions and more.

We welcome submissions of calendar items related to cultural events of interest to travellers in the Middle East and North Africa.

Please send tips to: The Palm Island Reserve consists of a chain of three isles. The Island of the Rabbits boasts white sandy beaches and crystal [email protected] clear waters. The biggest is the Island of the Rabbits.