Baalbeck International Festival

The Baalbeck International Festival (Arabic: مهرجانات بعلبك الدولية, French: Festival International de Baalbeck) is a cultural event in Lebanon.[1] Since 1955, people from around the world have gone to the city of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon to attend the annual festival. Classical music, dance, theater, opera, and jazz as well as modern world music are performed each July and August in the ancient Roman Acropolis.[2] The presidents of the festival have been as follows: Aimée Kettaneh from 1956 to 1968, Salwa es-Said from 1969 to 1972, May Arida from 1973 to 2010 and Nayla de Freige from 2011 to present.

History

The festivals date back to the mid 20th century with the first organizing activities being held in 1955 as part of the "Touristic Year 1955." After one year, President Chamoun appointed a festival committee with Kettaneh as its President, and named it the Baalbeck International Festival. It became a governmental institution whose goal was to promote tourism and Lebanese culture. The festival was held in July and August in the ruins of the Roman temples. In the early 1960s, it established a drama school called Theatre Libanais Moderne, led by Mounir Abou Debs, for the promotion of works done by Lebanese authors.

After the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) and the cessation of festival activities for a quarter century, the festival reopened for incoming spectators in 1997.

Festival highlights

References
  1. LBTAdmin (2018-07-05). "Get Ready for the Baalbeck International Festival". Lebanon Traveler. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  2. http://www.baalbeck.org.lb/venu.asp?lng=en Archived 2007-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, BIF Venues.
  3. Middle East International No 4, July 1971, Publishers Lord Mayhew, Dennis Walters MP; Editor Michael Adams; p.22 (August 21-22)
  4. Middle East International No 4, July 1971, Publishers Lord Mayhew, Dennis Walters MP; Editor Michael Adams; p.22 (July 17)
  5. "Mika Shares Letter to the Lebanese People 'Devastated by the Apocalypse'". Billboard. MRC. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

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