"The Beirut Spring Festival", created and launched in 2009 by the Samir Kassir Foundation, is inspired by the title of one of the last articles written by Samir Kassir, shortly before his assassination in 2005.
This event, targeting the broad general public, is unique both in its concept and program.The goals of the Festival and its particular character have generated such a warm welcome from the public.
The Festival is the first of its kind in Beirut.
The Festival features multidisciplinary international performances (theater, music, dance, conferences...) revolving around the themes of tolerance and cultural diversity, especially in societies facing violence and injustice.
The Festival features exclusive one-night performances scheduled over a week in different venues across Beirut.
The Festival supports contemporary art creation and energizes Lebanon’s cultural and artistic life, built on the belief that art is the ultimate way to tolerance.
The Festival thrives on the young generation’s interest in maintaining ties with the vision and thoughts of Samir Kassir.
The free admission to the Festival provides all categories of the Lebanese society with unrestricted access to original, non commercial art works. This festival has grown thanks to the financial and moral support of friends, sponsors and especially the civil society.
Multimedia performance with live music and classical ballet (United Kingdom) By Alexandra Dariescu
9:00 PM, Al Madina Theatre
The Nutcracker and I, by British-Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu, is a new and innovative 50-minute live performance for piano, ballerina and digital animation. On stage will be a grand piano, played by Dariescu herself, and a ballerina behind a see-through gauze screen. Projected onto the gauze, and bringing the story to life, are exquisite digital animations. They follow the music and engage live with the pianist and ballerina as they ‘dance’ across the screen. The audience will feel like they are actually in and a part of The Nutcracker story
After the highly acclaimed premiere of this production at Barbican’s Milton Court in December 2017, Alexandra will take the Nutcracker on a world tour, performing across Europe at the Wiener Konzerthaus, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Bozar Brussels, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Konserthuset Göteborg, King’s Place London, amongst others, as well as touring China, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Alexandra has just released an audio book of the same name on the Signum label, with the story written by Jessica Duchen and narrated by celebrated TV children’s presenter Lindsey Russell.
A Theater Play, co-directed by Cyrine Gannoun and Majdi Bou-Matar
(Tunis – Lebanon - Canada – Syria – Benin) This performance received 10 international awards
9:00 PM, Tournesol Theater, Tayyouneh
The Raft is a project conceived by the late master Ezzeddine Gannoun, founder of El Hamra Theater in Tunis. Before his passing, Gannoun was planning his next creation entitled The Raftabout refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa and Middle East countries into Europe. Such refugees are seeking safe haven across the world.
About “The Raft”
They are illegal immigrants crammed onto a small raft. They came together to share an escape and a dream. They escape countries that are torn apart by wars and politics. They escape injustice, oppression, and poverty. They escape discrimination based on their gender identity, sexual orientations, religious practices, and political views. They also share a dream. They dream of a new life in a different land; a land where they can rest their exhausted souls and bodies.
Eight characters come from Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia and other African and Arab countries. Their countries are divided by geography, politics, and borders. The raft unites them. They find themselves united by their deep human suffering and profound fears. When a tempest hits their raft on the open sea, they fight. They challenge each other and struggle for survival. They ultimately represent the eternal human journey between life and death. Or are they actually running away from one death towards another? Are they? Who are they?
Live Concert with a special 3D video mapping effect
9:00 PM, Roman Baths, Beirut Down Town
Written and Directed by Milad Tauk
Music arranged and conducted by Elie Barrak
Singers Nader Khoury, Diala Saab, Ingrid Naccour, Beatlalipos
3D Mapping implementation Tarek Kiameh
Sound Fida Zalloum
Lights Nassib Madi
Technical Director Peter Abdallah
Executive Producer Denise Taouk
A scenic show that includes a 3D video mapping including images, sounds and lights.
This show combines with a musical concert celebrating the Lebanese song and paying tribute to the city of Beirut.
Location: The Roman baths of the city center
Duration of the show: 60 minutes
Subject: Architecture (ancient and modern) and its relationship with the human memory of the Lebanese capital
Details of the projection "3D video mapping":
The mapping includes a scene on the beginnings of architecture in Beirut and its relationship with the sea and therefore with the inhabitant of this city.
The following scene evokes the architectural renaissance of Beirut and the transformation of the city into an island of luxury, then a place of pain and disappearance of innocence, until its complete reconstruction.
A question arises: what role will Beirut play in the future and how will it maintain its status as a jewel of the Arab and regional world and a messenger of hope for future generations?
The show will be set up using the most modern artistic techniques, from the point of view sound, light and image, so that the space of the Roman baths is transformed, from the Grand Serail to the Parliament, into a landscape festive the space of several nights. Thus, the festival "Spring of Beirut" will celebrate the city of culture and fine arts.
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