bsfestival

20 Years for Freedom

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:06:54 GMT

EXHIBITION

20 YEARS FOR FREEDOM

Photojournalists

Lebanon / Creation 2025

Works by eight Lebanese photojournalists who have documented Lebanon's struggles, hopes, and defining moments since 2005.

Thursday 28 August – Saturday 6 September 2025, 11 am - 6 pm
(excluding Sunday & Monday)

Art on 56th, Gemmayzeh - Beirut

In a country where the fight for truth and freedom often unfolds in silence and in the shadows, photojournalists' lenses have never looked away.

As part of its ongoing commitment to defending press freedom and freedom of expression, the Samir Kassir Foundation, with the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beirut, presents a national exhibition called “20 Years for Freedom” at the Art on 56th gallery in Beirut.

From Thursday 28 August to Saturday 6 September 2025, the exhibition commemorates two decades since the assassination of Samir Kassir by honoring the photojournalists whose unwavering dedication has documented Lebanon’s struggles, hopes, and defining moments since 2005.

The Samir Kassir Beirut Walking Tour

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:50:34 GMT

WALKING TOUR

THE SAMIR KASSIR BEIRUT WALKING TOUR

Ronnie Chatah

Lebanon / Creation 2025

A street promenade honoring the history, memory, freedom, and the soul of Beirut.

Sunday 15 June 2025, 6 pm

Starting point: L'Orient-Le Jour old building, Beirut Souks, Beirut Downtown

Designed by Ronnie Chatah and organised by the Samir Kassir Foundation as part of the 2025 Beirut Spring Festival, this special promenade in the streets of Samir Kassir’s Beirut honors the history, memory, freedom, and soul of Lebanese capital.

نزهة سيرًا على الأقدام في شوارع بيروت سمير قصير تكريمًا لتاريخ العاصمة اللّبنانيّة وذكر اها وحريّتها وروحِها. من تصميم روني شطح وتنظيم مؤسّسة سمير قصير في إطار مهرجان ربيع بيروت ٢٠٢٥.

Jarret Ghaz Spéciale

Wed, 21 May 2025 17:36:07 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

JARRET GHAZ SPÉCIALE

Cynthya Karam, Joseph Zeytouni, Karim Chebli, Sara Abdo

Lebanon / Creation 2025

Exploring shared Lebanese-Syrian trauma under the Ba’ath regime, promoting reconciliation and challenging racism through personal and historical memory.

Tuesday 10 – Sunday 29 June 2025, 8:30 pm

Théâtre Le Monnot

Doors close at 8:15 pm.

The reserved free tickets are required at the door for the free performances on 10, 11 and 12 June 2025.

The play continues until Sunday 29 June 2025 with paid ticketing.

تستعرض هذه الرّحلة المسرحيّة أثر الصّدمة الجماعيّة ومسار التّعافي في سياق الإضطرابات السّياسيّة في لبنان وسوريا. يمزج العمل بين الضّحك والدّموع، الألم والأمل، ليقدّم صورة إنسانيّة عن القوّة والصّبر مع تقاطع الماضي والحاضر. أُنجز هذا العمل بدعم من الإتّحاد الأوروبي في لبنان.

The Dream Manifesto

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:40:33 GMT

INSTALLATION

THE DREAM MANIFESTO

Roy Dib, Samir Kassir, Elias El-Khoury, Gisèle Khoury

Lebanon / Creation 2025

20 Years of Freedom: an artistic installation based on Samir Kassir’s article “Bayan El Helem”.

Monday 1 to 8 June 2025

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

On 16 January 2004, Samir Kassir wrote an article titled “Bayan El Helem” or "The Dream Manifesto". Years later, Elias El-Khoury recorded a large part of it with his voice. The article still resonates today. Twenty years have passed since Samir Kassir's assassination, during which time we also lost his wife, Gisèle Khoury, and his comrade Elias Khoury. This installation from “Bayan El Helem” or "The Dream Manifesto" is a tribute to Samir, Gis èle and Elias.

كتب سمير قصير في ١٦ كانون الثّاني ٢٠٠٤ مقالًا بعنوان ”بيان الحلم“. بعد عدّة سنوات سجّل الياس الخوري جزءً كبيرًا منه بصوته، بحيث ما زال يتردّد صداه حتى اليوم. مرّت عشرون سنة على اغتيال سمير قصير، فقدنا خلالها زوجته الإعلاميّة جيزيل خوري ورفيق دربه الياس الخوري. هذا التّجهيز الفني المنبثق من "بيان الحلم” تحيّة لسمير وجيزيل والياس.

Contractions

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:39 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

CONTRACTIONS

Melanie Bouexière, Elara Le Floch, Rana El Khoury

Lebanon, France / Creation 2024

A fundraising theatre evening for the Beirut Spring Festival.

Monday 31 March & Tuesday 1 April 2025, 8:30 pm

Théâtre Le Monnot

After the Festival Off Avignon 2024, Rana Khoury presents in Lebanon "Contractions", a play by the contemporary British playwright Mike Bartlett, with actors Mélanie Bouiexiere and Elara Lefloch. At the Théâtre Le Monnot, 31 March and 1 April 2025, as a fundraiser for the Beirut Spring Festival, with the support of the Institut français du Liban, the Théâtre Le Monnot and Antoine Ticketing.

Press Coverage

Tribute to Gisèle Khoury

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:52:47 GMT

SPOKEN WORD

TRIBUTE TO GISÈLE KHOURY

Issam Boukhaled, Bernadette Houdeib

Lebanon / Creation 2024

A tribute to the woman, the journalist, the founder of both the Samir Kassir Foundation and the Beirut Spring Festival.

Thursday 20 June 2024, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Concert for Palestine

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 01:02:43 GMT

CONCERT

CONCERT FOR PALESTINE

Ziyad Sahhab, Rafic Abboud

Lebanon / Creation 2024

A tribute to Palestine and to the Palestinian people.

Saturday 15 June 2024, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Mute – صَــــمْـــــــــــــت

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 00:13:40 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

MUTE

Hala Omran, Abed Kobeissy, Ali Hout

Kuwait, Lebanon, France / Creation 2023

A multi-awarded play against the backdrop of the Beirut Port explosion.

Sunday 9 & Monday 10 June 2024, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Zyara, Season 8

Thu, 30 May 2024 00:33:28 GMT

FILM

ZYARA

SEASON 8

Georgette Gebara, Roger Assaf, Mireille Maalouf, Rifaat Torbey, Randa Kaady, Faek Homaissi, Randa Asmar, Nicolas Daniel, Takla Chamoun, Ziad Ahmadieh, Oumeima Khalil, Harout Fazlian

Lebanon / Creation 2024

Premiere screening of a tribute to Beirut through the eyes of 12 great artists.

Thursday 30 May 2024, 9:00 pm

Martyrs' Square, Beirut Downtown

White Rabbit Red Rabbit

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:40:04 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT

Fouad Yammine, Nassim Soleimanpour

Lebanon, Iran / Creation 2023

An audacious theatrical experiment, celebrated worldwide as one of the most astonishing evenings in theatre.

Tuesday 6 June 2023, 9:00 pm
Théâtre Le Monnot

With no rehearsal, no director, a different actor each night, and a script waiting in a sealed envelope on stage, internationally acclaimed “White Rabbit Red Rabbit”, by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour, is an audacious theatrical experiment and a potent reminder of the transgressive and transformative power of theatre.

Media Coverage

The Last 15 Seconds

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 15:17:10 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

THE LAST 15 SECONDS

Nada Abusaleh, Nada Homsi, Trevor Copp, Badih Abou Chakra, Margaret Bardos

Lebanon, Canada, Syria, Hungary / Creation 2023

A tribute to the late Lebanese Canadian writer and director Majdi Bou-Matar, Founder of the MT Space Company, Canada

Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June 2023, 9:00 pm
Sunflower Theatre, Tayyouneh

In memory of Mustapha Akkad and his daughter Rima killed by a terrorist act in 2005, and in memory of the late Majdi Bou-Matar, theatre artist and founder of MT Space, Canada, through his multinational play.

A Tribute to Majdi

Welcome everybody to the opening night the 15th Edition of the Beirut Spring Festival, where we pay a tribute to Majdi Bou-Matar.

Majdi is a theatre director and performer who immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in 2003. He holds an MA degree in Drama from the University of Guelph with research focus on Canadian intercultural theatre, a BA degree in directing from the Lebanese American University and BA Honours in theatre studies from the Lebanese University.

Majdi directed several productions in Beirut and was a key participant in several theatre, television, and film projects in the Middle East and Tunisia. Majdi represented his country of origin in the Afro-Arab Centre for Theatrical Research in Tunis.

An active member of the Waterloo Region arts community, Majdi founded The Multicultural Theatre Space (MT Space) in 2004.

His work continues to tour nationally and internationally. Majdi is the founding Artistic Director of IMPACT, an international theatre festival in the Waterloo Region. In 2017, Majdi was named Presenter of the Year by the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts.

The Beirut Spring Festival invited him and the Tunisian co-director Cyrinne Gannoun with their very sucessful play “The Raft” in 2019, where he expressed his great joy to return to Beirut with this performance after 10 years of absence.

Majdi died one year ago, at the age of 47.

For the 15th Edition, the Beirut Spring Festival insisted to give him a tribute in his country of origin, and we invited MT Space group to present his play “The last 15 seconds”.

Thanks to the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon for their support.

Before the performance, we will watch a short video where Majdi presents a poem to Beirut, during the opening of the first edition of the Impact festival in 2009.

Media Coverage

Rise and Fall of Orient Swiss

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 19:37:19 GMT

SPECTACLE – A LIVE LISTENING PIECE

RISE AND FALL OF ORIENT SWISS - BEDTIME STORIES

Lebanon / Creation 2022

A live listening piece.

Sunday 5 June 2022, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Dracula, The Untold Story

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 19:24:17 GMT

SPECTACLE – PROJECTION PERFORMANCE

DRACULA, THE UNTOLD STORY

United Kingdom / Creation 2022

A projection performance of a live graphic novel with actors on stage.

Saturday 4 June 2022, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Nour Hajjar Stand-Up Comedy

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:59:43 GMT

SPECTACLE – STAND UP COMEDY

NOUR HAJJAR

Lebanon / Creation 2022

An exclusive creation for the opening of the Beirut Spring Festival.

Friday 3 June 2022, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Culture in time of crisis, 19 June

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 23:10:14 GMT

CONFERENCE

CULTURE IN THE TIME OF CRISIS: MODERNIZING CULTURAL POLICYMAKING IN LEBANON 2

Lebanon, France / Creation 2021

Saturday 19 June 2021, 6:00 pm

Bossa Nova Hotel & Facebook Live

Recorded Performance

Told by my mother, Lebanon

An excerpt from choreographer Ali Chahrour's latest creation

Panel

Showcasing cultural policy initiatives by Lebanese cultural actors: How to support cultural policymakers in times of crisis

Robert Lacombe (France)
General Inspector of Cultural Affairs, French Government
Lamia Moubayed (Lebanon)
Director of Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan
Helena Nassif (Lebanon)
Director of Al Mawred Al Thaqafy
Ayman Mhanna (Lebanon)
Executive Director of the Samir Kassir Foundation

Moderated by Joumana Haddad

Journalist and writer
President of “Joumana Haddad Freedoms Center”

Facebook Open Forum with cultural actors in Lebanon:

What has been done in terms of cultural policies and advocacy in Lebanon?
What should be done and what is missing?

Culture in time of crisis, 18 June

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 22:46:02 GMT

CONFERENCE

CULTURE IN THE TIME OF CRISIS: MODERNIZING CULTURAL POLICYMAKING IN LEBANON 1

Lebanon, Canada, France / Creation 2021

Friday 18 June 2021, 6:00 pm

Bossa Nova Hotel & Facebook Live

Keynote Speech

Mr. Simon Brault, Canada

Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
Chair of International Federation of Arts Council and Cultural Agencies

Live Performance

The Oud Family, Lebanon

Five musicians, conducted by Saad Saab in a special creation for BSF2021

Panel

The impact of the multi-faceted crises on culture

Olivier Py (France)
Director of the Festival d’Avignon
Video on the Insight of the cultural resilience in France among cultural actors during Covid-19
Myriam Shuman (Lebanon)
Director of Agenda Culturel
Kassem Istanbouli (Lebanon)
Actor and Director
Founder of the Lebanese National Theatre in Tyre
M ember of Tiro Association for Arts
Father Khalil Rahmé (Lebanon)
Director of the Music School at Notre Dame University (NDU)
F ounder of the Organ Festival in Lebanon
Omar Abi Azar (Lebanon)
Theater Director
F ounding member of Zoukak Theater Company

Moderated by Antoine El Khoury Tawk, writer

Live Performance

Opera with Soprano Lara Jo Khadar, Lebanon

With pianist Elias Chahoud

Panel

Turning policy ideas into action

Promoting the three policy papers in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Nicole Hamouche
Supporting the craft sector in Lebanon
Areej Abou Harb
Supporting cultural spaces in Lebanon
Hicham Zeineddin
Improving art curriculum in schools
Layal Sakr
Legal Advisor
F ounder of Seeds for Legal Initiatives

Moderated by Noor Obeid, Projec t Manager of “Small Changes, Big Impact” – Freemuse, Denmark

Short Movie

Beirut in Black & White, by Marie Louise Elia

A production by Alba - Balamand University

For the Love of Beirut

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:14:51 GMT

TRIBUTE

FOR THE LOVE OF BEIRUT

Lebanon, United Kingdom, France, Syria, Romania, United States of America, Switzerland, Tunisia / Creation 2020

Tuesday 25 August & 1 September 2020, 9:00 pm

Facebook Live

Le mot de Wajdi Mouawad à l’ouverture de la deuxième partie du Festival du printemps de Beyrouth 2020

Je m’appelle Wajdi, Wajdi Mouawad, et je vis à Paris.

J’ai été au festival en 2013 pour présenter un spectacle, enfin, plusieurs spectacles. Il y en avait un que je jouais moi-même et il y avait un spectacle qui s’appelait « Incendies » qui avait la particularité d’avoir été créé avec des comédiens québécois lorsque j’habitais au Québec. Et donc ce sont ces comédiens québécois, donc des gens qui n’avaient jamais vraiment vécu la guerre sur leur territoire, qui sont venus raconter cette histoire aux Libanais qui se voyaient tout à coup dans la situation tout à fait étrange, de voir des Canadiens venir leur raconter leur histoire, et c’était un moment d’une puissance très, très, très grande qui m’a fait comprendre à nouveau ce que pouvait signifier écrire dans son pays, chose que je ne connais pas. Je vais continuer donc en lisant le texte que j’ai écrit pour ce soir, puisqu’il va peut-être expliquer au fond, dire, aujourd’hui, comment je me sens.

À l’invitation de la Fondation Samir Kassir pour l’évènement de ce soir, j’ai dit oui sans réfléchir.

Parce que au fond, tout ce qui peut être fait pour que nous continuions à échanger entre nous, entre Libanais, doit être fait. Tout ce qui peut contribuer à nous permettre d’être ensemble est bienvenu.

Non pas seulement parce qu’être ensemble est une chose positive, mais parce que depuis très longtemps, au Liban, être ensemble, bien plus que de tuer son père, ou son frère, plus que violer sa sœur, plus même que de coucher avec sa mère, ou pire encore, être pédé, ou avoir une dépression, être ensemble est le plus grand tabou du peuple libanais. Être ensemble c’est notre tabou. C’est la chose interdite. Et maintenant que la nouvelle génération, cette jeunesse, qui, en ce moment dans les rues tente d’être à nouveau ensemble, entraînant avec elle ce qu’il y a de plus merveilleux et de plus généreux dans ce pays, voilà qu’elle doit faire face, à nouveau, aux enfoirés d’hier qui feront tout pour empêcher que cet « être ensemble » advienne. C’est un cauchemar. Un cauchemar sans nom. Et pour renverser le cauchemar il nous faut encourager cette jeunesse car, au fond, c’est elle qui incarne aujourd’hui le désir de vivre, l’envie de liberté dans la vie. « Ndall maa baadna » (نضلّ مع بعضنا).

Voilà donc pourquoi je n’ai pas hésité à accepter cette invitation avec amitié, avec amour et puis avec le désir de participer, tout simplement, mais aussi avec un immense sentiment de culpabilité. C’est de ne pas pouvoir vous parler en arabe parce que je ne sais plus parler l’arabe. Et j’ai eu beau tourner la question dans tous les sens, j’ai beau chercher quelque chose, ce soir, à dire d’intelligent… Le fait que ce que j’allais dire, intelligent ou non, j’allais devoir le dire de toute façon dans cette langue étrangère que mon propre grand-père aurait été bien incapable d’en comprendre le moindre mot. Tout ça me donnait un sentiment, au fond, de décalage.

L’exil donc, n’est pas seulement géographique, il est surtout dans la gorge lorsque l’on ne sent plus gratter dans le gosier la douceur du « H » (ح), la puissance du « Kh »(خ), le vertige du « Aain »(ع) et l’enfance du « Ghayn »(غ). Comment dire alors la colère dans une langue qui ne soit pas la langue maternelle ?! Et quand à Montréal, à Paris, ou à Berlin, à Abidjan, ou Sao Paolo, des gens pleins de curiosité, me demandent avec attention mon nom et de quel pays je viens, je réponds, leur devant la vérité, que je suis une ordure et je viens du pays des ordures, pays fatigué par les maux, épuisé à force d’épuisement, épuisé à force de joie forcée, de sourires figés, un pays sans plus de peau que la mer qui ne le console plus, ni le soleil, ni le bleu du ciel, un pays sans plus de bras ni de jambes qui n’est plus qu’un grand cœur empoisonné dont les battements font entendre, à travers la couche de béton, une colère qui ne connaît plus aucun alphabet. « Y a-t-il encore de l’espoir ? » me demandent des vieux sorciers Comanches, qui en connaissent pourtant tout un rayon en matière de disparition et de chagrin, et je réponds toujours que l’espoir est bien sûr dans le ventre des femmes enceintes de mon pays car dans ce pas tremblant, dans ce pays tremblant, on continue à faire l’amour tous les soirs. Ce soir, on fera l’amour. Peut-être pas encore suffisamment hors mariage, pas encore suffisamment hors religion mais, de plus en plus de Roméo et Juliette s’aimant au-delà des divisions de leur famille, des noms de leur famille, des sidérations, des hymens recousus, des visages remontés et du kitch bling-bling de cette bourgeoisie qui croit encore qu’il suffit de « bien péter » en français, et de « bien roter » en anglais, pour oublier le sang arabe qui court dans ses veines. Le plus difficile n’est donc pas d’aller consulter un psychanalyste. Le plus difficile consiste à accepter de changer. Changer exige une force aussi sidérale que celle nécessaire pour faire décoller une fusée s’arrachant à l’attraction terrestre. Acceptera-t-il de s’allonger sur le divan du psychanalyste, celui-là qui dit porter le destin du pays? Acceptera-t-il de changer? Et quelle force faut-il encore pour que ce monde-là change? Car voilà, pendant que nous sommes ensemble, ils sont encore là les administrateurs anciennement sanguinaires de ce pays. Ils sont là et ils n’ont plus honte d’être là. Ils ont enfreint toutes les lois, les lois millénaires que les Dieux avaient pour prodiguer aux humains. Ils ont piétiné la loi séculaire de l’hospitalité, et ils sont toujours là dans leurs voitures et leurs palais, ensanglantés, eux-mêmes qui nous ont ensanglantés ; chefs de partis, chefs de milices, chefs de haram, chefs des bêtes sombres d’une histoire sombre qui sombre, toujours, plus sombre qu’une plaque d’obscurité, des nuits sans lune ni étoile, des enfants d’Ivor, des ogres sans testicules. Ordures, eux-mêmes noyés dans la puanteur de leur silence, ils crachent le mot « pays » comme ils crachent les injures et tous les jours ils disent « Liban » comme ils disent « Kess Emak » (كس إمّك), tous là synonymes et lapsus.

Ce n’est pas une parole de désespoir que je tiens là, et encore moins une reddition, mais bien au contraire, parce que je crois, dur comme fer, comme Kafka, qu’il y a quelque chose d’absolument indestructible en chacun de nous. Ce soir, à cause de cette indestructibilité, je n’ai pas envie de poésie, je n’ai pas envie de raviver l’espoir, je n’ai pas envie de vous raconter des histoires, je n’ai pas envie de m’émouvoir, je n’ai pas envie de dire « Liban », je n’ai pas envie de dire « Feyrouz », ni « jeunesse », je n’ai pas envie de dire ce qu’il y a de plus beau, je n’ai pas envie ce soir de pleurer les morts ni les blessés, ni les disparus, ni ma mère morte, ni mon père mort, tous deux sous la neige canadienne en ce moment, dans un cimetière quelconque, eux qui sont nés pas loin des pinèdes du Chouf. Je n’ai pas envie de dire « Beyrouth enterrée mille fois et relevée mille fois », ni envie d’évoquer la grandeur de l’art, ni le théâtre, ni la fierté, ni le bla-bla, ni le nia-nia, ni le hommos, ni le tabbouleh et ni le baba ghanouj. Rien, c’est-à-dire R I E N.

Dans son livre des Métamorphoses, Ovid raconte comment au milieu de Troie, saccagée et détruite, les Grecs avait fait avancer Hécube dans sa ville pour qu’elle puisse contempler le saccage de sa cité. Et c’est alors qu’au milieu des cadavres des soldats Troyens, Hécube aperçut son dernier enfant, sa fille Polyxène, égorgée comme victime expiatoire sur la tombe d’Achille. Alors Hécube reste muette de douleur. Elle lève d’abord la tête vers le ciel et puis, se tournant vers ses ennemis elle ouvre sa bouche toute grande pour parler, mais d’où sortent, en dépit de ses efforts, que des aboiements. Et pendant longtemps encore, on montre le rocher où elle se tenait aboyant contre tous ceux qui tentaient de l’approcher sans plus de langue, sans plus de mots, elle était devenue chienne de sa propre douleur.

Ce soir, l’envie de me tourner à mon tour vers nos ennemis, qui sont pourtant de notre sang, et l’envie de donner la parole à ce qui n’a plus de parole en moi. A ce qui n’a plus d’alphabet, qui n’a plus rien d’articulé, sauf cet aboiement qui vient, lorsque trop de violence finit par jeter le langage dans le labyrinthe des colères et des incendies.

Wajdi Mouawad

Auteur et metteur en scène

Directeur de La Colline – Théâtre National, Paris

N.B. Pendant la lecture en direct, Wajdi Mouawad a fait suivre ce texte d’une vidéo où il aboie pendant très longtemps.

Beirut the Sea Lover

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 17:27:32 GMT

CONCERT - VIDEO MAPPING

BEIRUT THE SEA LOVER

Milad Tauk, Elie Barrak

Lebanon / Creation 2019

Friday 14 June 2019, 9:00 pm

Roman Baths, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

The Nutcracker and I

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 16:14:01 GMT

MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE

THE NUTCRACKER AND I

Alexandra Dariescu

United Kingdom / Creation 2019

A multimedia performance with live music and classical ballet.

Sunday 9 June 2019, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

The Raft

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 14:51:00 GMT

THEATRE

THE RAFT

Cyrine Gannoun, Majdi Bou-Matar

Tunisia, Lebanon, Canada, Syria, Benin / Creation 2019

Tuesday 11 June 2019, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Media Coverage

A Flight Over the City

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 23:43:08 GMT

THEATRE

A FLIGHT OVER THE CITY

Anush Aslibekyan, Narine Grigoryan, Sergey Tovmasyan, Yerevan State Puppet Theater

Armenia / Creation 2018

Thursday 7 June 2018, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Media Coverage

Murmur & Inked

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 23:06:22 GMT

DANCE

INKED & MURMUR

Aakash Odedra Company

United Kingdom / Creation 2018

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 9:00 pm

Al-Madina Theatre, Hamra

I n Inked, Aakash Odedra commissions Oliver Award-winning choreographer Damien Jalet to explore tribal markings and tattoos. Inspired by the tattoos of Aakash's grandmother, the duo explore notions of belonging, protection and limitation.

In this pro gram, Aakash Odedra strives to apply his mastery of classical dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam in a contemporary dance setting, utilizing the full potential of modern design technology.

Inked is choreographed by Damien Jalet. Emerging from a body-shaped cutout at the back of the stage, Odedra explores the stage, initially enclosed by strips of light. The movement is precise but awkward, as if exploring a new universe. When the lights come up, Odedra tumbles across the stage, his hands clasped together in serpentine shapes. A pot of ink is spilled and Odedra picks up the ink on his body and carves curved patterns on the stage with great precision and his usual fluid movement.

The program of two solos concludes with Murmur, a 35-minute work with powerful visual effects and no fewer than 19 designers and technicians to bring it to life. Odedra was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, and his learning difficulties overshadowed his dancing abilities. But he was eventually able to turn that around and use dance as his preferred mode of creative expression. In Murmur, he attempts to express his personal narrative. The piece begins with Odedra reading a book with increasing frustration, eventually putting it down. Pages fall from the sky and with increasing desperation he tries to keep up with the cascade; eventually the pages are picked up by a circle of fans and fly around the stage, creating a strong visual impact. We see a projected stylized image of Odedra synchronized with him, dancer and image performing a duet, and then as the light fades, only the image, though we know the dancer is still there. The style is predominantly contemporary and Odedra's movement is always striking.

Murmur's visual effects are often stunning, but some of the most memorable moments occur when Odedra simply dances in the Kathak style with breathtaking speed and fluidity. There really is a lesson there.

Media Coverage

Lotfi Bouchnak

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 21:42:24 GMT

CONCERT

LOTFI BOUCHNAK & HIS ORCHESTRA

Lotfi Bouchnak

Tunisia / Creation 2018

A tribute from the Beirut Spring Festival and the Lebanese Ministry of Culture to the great Tunisian artist.

Monday 4 June 2018, 9:00 pm

MusicHall, Starco Center

Lotfi Bouchnak (لطفي بوشناق) is a Tunisian star, singer, oud player, composer and public figure. He is considered one of the best tenors in the Middle East, North Africa and the Arab world and has been called the "Pavarotti of Tunisia". He has also appeared in Tunisian television series and films, including Maktoub, La boîte magique, Halou u mer and El paraíso ya no es lo que era.

Bouchnak was born in Tunis to a family of Turkish-Bosnian origin. At a young age, he began to play the songs of Oum Kalthoum and other masters of Egyptian music. He joined the "Youth Musical Group of Tunis", then "Arrachidia", where he began to improve his singing skills with Ali Sriti. He also learned to play the oud. In 1979, at the age of 25, Bouchnak recorded his first song composed by Ahmed Siddiqui. He then began to work with other famous composers such as Sayed Mekkaoui, Fathallah Ahmed and Anwar Brahem. In the 1980s, he began composing songs for other artists such as Khaled and the rap group IAM. Bouchnak is one of the few artists to have regular performances at the Cairo Opera House since 1992. He won the Best Arab Singer Award in Washington DC in 1997.

كلمات أغنية أنا مواطن

منزلى فى كل شارع .. وفى كل ركن وكل باب
واكتفي بصبري وصمتي .. ثروتي حفنة تراب
ما أخاف الفقر لكن كل خوفي من الضباب
ومن غياب الوعي عنكم .. كم أخاف من الغياب
سادتي وأنتم حكمتم حكمكم حكم الصواب
وثورتي كانت غنيمة وافرة لحضرة جناب
ما يهم .. و لا أبالي الدنيا ليست مداسي
لكن خلولي بلادي وكل ما كنتم ع راسي
ياهناه اللي كان مثلي ما يهمه من ومن ؟؟
أنتم أصحاب الفخامة والزعامة وأدري لن !!
لن نكون فى يوم منكم يشهد الله والزمن
أنا حلمي كلمة وحدة يضل عندي وطن
لا حروب لا خراب لا مصايب لا محن
خدو المناصب والمكاسب لكن خلولى "الوطن"
ياوطن وأنت حبيبي وأنت عزي وتاج راسي
أنت يا فخر المواطن والمناضل والسياسىي
أنت أجمل وأنت أغلى وانت أعظم من الكراسي!

Media Coverage

Tamer Abu Ghazaleh

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 21:11:34 GMT

CONCERT

TAMER ABU GHAZALEH & HIS GROUP

Tamer Abu Ghazaleh

Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon / Creation 2018

Sunday 3 June 2018, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square , Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

70th Year of The Nakba

Tue, 15 May 2018 20:06:17 GMT

PHOTO EXHIBITION + SOUND INSTALLATION

70TH YEAR OF THE NAKBA

Palestine / Creation 2018

Tuesday 15 May 2018 – Thursday 7 June 2018

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

Photography Exhibition

A photography exhibition showcasing the work of contemporary Palestinian photographers in celebration of a diverse, creative and resilient Palestine.

The twnety contributors are photographers, visual artists and photojournalists Tarek Al- Ghoussein, Mohammed Al Hawajri, Bashar Alhroub, Sama Alshaibi, Taysir Batniji, Ahmed Deeb, Essa Grayeb, Tanya Habjouqa, Rula Halawani, Samar Hazboun, Monther Jawabreh, Yazan Khalili, Rania Matar, Steve Sabella, Suhaib Salem, Mohammed Salem, Larissa Sansour, Osama Silwadi, Sharif Waked, Mohammed Zakaria.

Curated by Liana Kassir.

Sound Installation

Emily Jacir's creation "Servees سرفيس" is a sound installation of the loud voices of taxi drivers in Jerusalem, reproduced from afar, like the voice of a muezzin.

This sound installation won the Gold Lion Award for the best young artist at the Venice Biennale (2007).

Media Coverage

Carnivorous

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 19:35:45 GMT

THEATRE

Carnivorous

Issam Bou Khaled

Lebanon / Creation 2017

Wednesday 7 June 2017, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Carnivorous

with Issam Bou Khaled, Bernadette Houdeib, Saïd Serhan, and Sarmad Louis

Directed by Issam Bou Khaled

Media Coverage

Dorsaf Hamdani

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 20:11:27 GMT

CONCERT

DORSAF HAMDANI - Barbara/Fayrouz

Dorsaf Hamdani, Daniel Mille, Barbara, Fayrouz

France, Tunisia / Creation 2014

Tuesday 6 June 2017, 9:00 pm

MusicHall, Starco Center

A concert for two pianos

Sun, 04 Jun 2017 18:54:29 GMT

CONCERT

A CONCERT FOR TWO PIANOS

Bachar Khalifé, Rami Khalifé, Sary Khalifé

Lebanon, France / Creation 2017

Sunday 4 June 2017, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Remember What Never Happened & Under The Skin

Sat, 03 Jun 2017 18:46:49 GMT

DANCE

REMEMBER WHAT NEVER HAPPENED & UNDER THE SKIN

Bridgman|Packer Dance Company

United States of America / Creation 2014 & 2015

Saturday 3 June 2017, 9:00 pm

Al-Madina Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

4x4: Ephemeral Architecture

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:17:39 GMT

JUGGLING – CLASSICAL BALLET

4x4: EPHEMERAL ARCHITECTURES

Gandini Juggling

United Kingdom / Creation 2014

Tuesday 7 June 2016, 9:00 pm

Al-Madina Theatre, Hamra

After the great success of Smashed at the Beirut Spring Festival 2014,

and due to the overwhelming demand from the audience,

we are honored to welcome Gandini Juggling back to Beirut

with their new show 4x4: Ephemeral Architectures .

Media Coverage

Adonis

Sun, 05 Jun 2016 23:56:38 GMT

CONCERT

ADONIS

Lebanon / Creation 2016

Sunday 5 June 2016, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

“Their music is something to fall in love with. The boys from Adonis produce songs that are, at times, achingly gorgeous, charming, whimsical and enchantingly Lebanese.”

– Now Lebanon

Media Coverage

Amok

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 23:31:02 GMT

THEATRE

AMOK

Alexis Moncorgé

France / Creation 2015

Based on the novel Amok by Stefan Zweig and n ominated for the 2016 Molière Awards for Best Male Newcomer of the Year.

Friday 3 June 2016, 9:00 pm

Auditorium Georges W. Audi, École supérieure des affaires, 289 rue Clémenceau

After its remarkable success in Avignon in 2015, as well as at the Theatre Poche Montparnasse in Paris during the current 2016 season, the Beirut Spring Festival is honored to welcome Alexis Moncorgé for the first time in Beirut with this performance on opening night 3 June 2016.

Media Coverage

Beirut, the Timeless City

Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:19:48 GMT

LARGE-SCALE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW

BEIRUT, THE TIMELESS CITY

Ivan Caracalla

Lebanon / Creation 2015

An artistic journey through the sands of time.

Saturday 6 June 2015, 9:00 pm

Martyrs' Square, Beirut Downtown

The heart of Beirut, Martyrs' Square, the An-Nahar building and all the surrounding buildings will be bathed in an unprecedented light. Thousands of lights and projected images commemorate the legacy of Samir Kassir and celebrate Beirut.

Lights and images create new horizons of hope in a square that has witnessed Lebanon's darkest moments and most glorious days. The performance highlights the struggle for freedoms, humanist values and progressive thinking that have defined Beirut over the years. It invites people to rediscover their capital and the events that marked its history and influenced Samir Kassir's political and intellectual endeavors.

Several Lebanese, Arab and international artists participate in the show, which was created and conceived by Ivan Caracalla to embody the unique intercultural nature of both Samir Kassir and the Beirut Spring Festival. In addition to lights and images, the show includes live music and stage performances.

The lights of the night spread across the city, sending the message that the flame of freedom will shine forever over Beirut and through every person and institution that embraces the memory of Samir Kassir.

Credits

Artistic direction Ivan Caracalla
Music composition Reza Aligholi
Text & poems Talal Haidar
Orchestra “Beirut Symphony Orchestra” conducted by Maestro Harout Fazlian
Actors Rafaat Tarabay, Gabriel Yammine, Jihad Al Andary, Alecco Daoud, Khaled El Sayyed, Fadi Rifai, Ali Zain, Romeo El Hachem
Singers Hadi Khalil, Tania Saleh, Yasmine Hadj Nasser, Marc Reaidi
Bands Who Killed Bruce Lee, Fareeq Al Atrach
Musicians Saad Saab & The Oud Family (Jihad Chemaly, Charbel Eid, Abboud Zino, Fadi Yaacoub)
Dancers Totem Contemporary Dance Company
Composer Pianist Rami Khalife

The Change-Makers Forum

Sun, 24 May 2015 18:24:46 GMT

FORUM

THE CHANGE-MAKERS FORUM

Lebanon / Creation 2015

Gathering those who make the Middle East a better place.

Sunday 24 May 2015, 10:00 am

Campus de l’innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

The Change-Makers Forum brings together 30 to 40 Lebanese and Arab NGOs, social entrepreneurs, cultural collectives and civic groups that work every day to make their countries more democratic, tolerant, prosperous and enjoyable places for all citizens.

Taking place in the heart of the avant-garde architecture of the Campus de l'Innovation et du Sport of the Université St-Joseph, the Forum offers each group a dedicated space to present their publications, products and any materials they wish to display. The Forum is an opportunity for all change-makers to connect, share experiences and build bridges. The public gets to meet those who are creating the positive change we all long for, and find ways to contribute positively to the work of these groups.

Participating organizations also get to speak, hold public projections, artistic performances, and any other activities that highlight their goals and achievements.

One Day in Beirut

Thu, 14 May 2015 18:20:01 GMT

PHOTO EXHIBITION

ONE DAY IN BEIRUT

FRAME

Lebanon / Creation 2015

Thursday 14 May - Thursday 4 June 2015

Beirut Souks, Beirut Downtown

One Day in Beirut is a public exhibition representing the perspectives of more than 100 photographers on 12 themes. All the photographs were taken in the city of Beirut on September 27, 2014, between 10 am and 10 pm, during the second edition of the Beirut Photo Marathon.

The Beirut Photo Marathon is the first collective documentation project of its kind in Lebanon, organized by FRAME.

Photographers were free to choose the location of their photos within the administrative boundaries of Beirut, capturing one image for each theme and submitting it to the FRAME team at checkpoints around the city.

The collection of photos represents a day in the life of Beirut; a photographic dissection of our surroundings and perceptions, captured spontaneously. The collection is a truthful reflection of the city in its many forms, with the hope that others will observe this richness and diversity as well. With this in mind, the collection is meant to be viewed as a whole; a collaborative work of art, piecing together and revealing an ever-changing city through the lenses of 100 image-makers.

Look for patterns, similarities and contradictions. These photos tell our story; a story of one day in Beirut, where it is up to you to decide what is worth looking at and what we have the right to observe.

The exhibition runs until 4 June.

Samir Kassir in Movies

Sat, 09 May 2015 18:16:58 GMT

MOVIES

SAMIR KASSIR IN MOVIES

Omar Amiralay, Greta Nawfal, Talal Khoury, Liana Kassir

Lebanon / Creation 2015

Saturday 9 May 2015, 5:30 pm

Salle Montaigne – Institut français du Liban, Rue de Damas

P rominent filmmakers and writers paid tribute to Samir Kassir shortly after his assassination. Their documentaries and short films shed light on Samir Kassir's vision, career, personal life and political values. Each film captured aspects of Samir Kassir's ideas and personality that the general public may not have known.

The Beirut Spring Festival will screen three documentaries produced and broadcast in the months following Samir Kassir's assassination, including

A film by the late world-renowned Syrian filmmaker Omar Amiralay;
A film by Lebanese filmmaker Greta Nawfal;
A film by Lebanese photographer and filmmaker Talal Khoury;

The Beirut Spring Festival will also feature a world premiere: a tribute to Samir Kassir by his own daughter and young filmmaker Liana Kassir, presented for the first time on the occasion of the tenth commemoration.

My Light Is Your Light

Mon, 04 May 2015 18:14:28 GMT

INSTALLATION

MY LIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT

Alaa Minawi

Lebanon, Palestine / Creation 2014

Monday 4 May – Thursday 4 June 2015, 8:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

“ when people are forced to leave their cities, they do not only leave their homes, belongings, schools, favorite toys and friends and neighbors behind... they actually leave their skin and organs and memories. they transform into outlines of a radiating light.

they walk, whispering one thing: my light is your light... “

The Beirut Ideas

Sun, 03 May 2015 19:41:31 GMT

TALKS

THE BEIRUT IDEAS

On the occasion of the Beirut Spring Festival 2015, the SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom, in cooperation with international partners, hosts a series of panel discussions on key challenges facing freedom of expression and democratic change in the region.

Under the title "The Beirut Ideas", the themes of the debates are drawn from the writings of Samir Kassir and the SKeyes Center's experience in training journalists and exploring new trends in the world of media and communication.

Sunday 3 – Saturday 30 May 2015

Multiple Locations in Beirut

1- Defending Press Freedom Today: New tools, new challenges

Sunday 3 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Press Syndicate, Ain El Tineh

Press freedom is not doing well. The past few years have been the deadliest for journalists, especially in the Middle East, where more than 90 percent of crimes go unpunished. Defenders of press freedom today face multiple challenges: How to protect journalists who cannot afford expensive safety training and protective equipment? How to deal with budget constraints and donor fatigue? How to protect freedom of expression in law and in practice?

Speakers:

Sarah Giaziri (Rory Peck Trust, UK / Libya)
Jodie Ginsberg (Index on Censorship, UK)
Cheryl Gould (Committee to Protect Journalists, USA)
Ayman Mhanna (SKeyes Center, Lebanon)

Moderator: Hanin Ghaddar (NOW Media, Atlantic Council, Lebanon)

2- Healing Memories and Building the Future

Tuesday 5 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

Without coming to terms with its past, a society cannot build its future. Drawing on the experiences of many countries that have established mechanisms to deal with memory, such as Spain, Chile and Northern Ireland, this panel will look at what has not been done in Lebanon and the results of the political choice of amnesty and amnesia. The discussion will also shed light on measures that can be taken to ensure a sustainable truth and reconciliation process in post-conflict Syria.

Speakers:

Ziyad Baroud (former Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Lebanon)
Josefina Cuesta Bustillo (University of Salamanca, Spain)
Luciano Fouillioux (Museum of Memory, National Institute for Human Rights, Chile)
Jane Morrice (former Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament, UK)

Moderator: Carmen Abou Jaoudé (International Center for Transitional Justice, Lebanon)

3- Freedom and Privacy: The Impossible Equation?

Thursday 7 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

Billions of people around the world live connected lives. Every person today produces and generates tons of data. The world has already entered the "Internet of Things" era, with more and more connected devices in everyone's daily life. The panel will try to address key questions: Who gets the data? Who has the ability to make sense of it? How is the data being commoditized? What are the implications of this new form of connectivity for people's personal and public freedom and for political systems? How do the "good guys" and the "bad guys" use the data?

Speakers:

Kevin Collier (Daily Dot, USA)
Reem Al-Masri (7iber.com, Jordan)
Sascha Meinrath (X-Lab, USA)
Mohamad Najem (Social Media Exchange, Lebanon)

Moderator: Kelli Arena (Global Center for Journalism and Democracy, USA)

4- Culture in the Midst of War: the Syrian Experiment

Friday 8 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Dawawine, Gemmayzé

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, many Syrians have chosen art as a channel to express their feelings after forty years of oppression and four years of war. The works of Syrian artists are a reflection of history, suffering, and doubt, but they also carry a glimpse of hope and a chance to live, for a moment, in a different, more peaceful environment. The panel will highlight remarkable Syrian artistic experiences and discuss the importance of art and culture in times of war.

Speakers:

Ali Al-Atassi (Bidayat, Syria)
Ziad Majed (American University of Paris, Lebanon)
Raghad Mardini (Art Residence Aley, Syria)

Moderator: Hanan Kassab Hassan (Saint Joseph University, Syria)

5- Culture in the Midst of War: the Syrian Experiment

Friday 8 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Dawawine, Gemmayzé

Speakers:

Ali Al-Atassi (Bidayat, Syria)
Ziad Majed (American University of Paris, Lebanon)
Raghad Mardini (Art Residence Aley, Syria)

Moderator: Hanan Kassab Hassan (Saint Joseph University, Syria)

6- France in the Arab World and the Arab World in France

Wednesday 13 May 2015, 3:00 pm
Salle Montaigne - Institut français du Liban, Rue de Damas

As described in the book "Itinéraires de Paris à Jérusalem" by Samir Kassir and Farouk Mardam-Bey, France and the Arab world have a deep, complex and multifaceted history, marked by partnership, knowledge and mistrust. Samir Kassir, also a French citizen, was a well-heard voice in French media and political circles, and served as a powerful ambassador for the Arab people's dreams of freedom and democracy. The panel will discuss the state of Franco-Arab relations today and in the years to come.

Speakers:

Karim Emile Bitar (Centre national pour la recherche scientifique, France/Lebanon)
François Burgat (Institut français du Proche-Orient, France)
Patrice Paoli (French Ambassador to Lebanon, France)
Marc Saikali (France 24, France/Lebanon)

Moderator: Alexandre Najjar (Cedrona, Lebanon)

7- Telling the Syrian Story to International Public Opinion

Friday 15 May 2015
Amphithéâtre A, Campus des sciences sociales, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Monnot

Part I, 5:00 pm - Film Projection: "The Dublin Pitfall" by Rime El-Jadidi

"The Dublin Pitfall" is a documentary about the consequences of the migration of Syrian refugees to Europe. The film narrates the struggle of individuals who have made the perilous journey to leave their homes to escape war, only to face harsher conditions in their host country. The film was shot during a three-week journey through Bulgaria in April 2014. The director, Moroccan Rime El-Jadidi, worked as a one-woman band on a shoestring budget, relying on the hospitality and help of Bulgarians and Syrians to make this film.

Part II, 6:30 pm - Panel Discussion

Despite more than 200,000 deaths and one of the largest displacement crises in the world, international public opinion has not shown the same level of interest in the Syrian war as in other previous conflicts. At the same time, the Syrian conflict has been widely covered in books, articles, and reports, many of which have won prestigious awards. The international public's focus seems limited to the rise of radical Islamism in Syria and the plight of kidnapped Western journalists. The panel will discuss why the Syrian story is not resonating enough, and what other channels are available to shed light on the tragedy.

Speakers:

Daniel Beaulieu (Syria Deeply, Canada)
Leila Nachawati Rego (Syria Untold, Syria)
Christoph Reuter (Der Spiegel, Germany)
James Sadri (The Syria Campaign, UK)

Moderator: Ruth Sherlock (The Telegraph, UK)

8- Democracy and the Military Challenge: " Aaskar Aala Meen "

Thursday 21 May 2015, 4:30 pm
Carnegie Middle East Center, Downtown Beirut

In his 2004 book " Aaskar Aala Meen ", Samir Kassir explains and denounces the control of intelligence and security apparatuses over political, public, and social life in the Arab world. After the 2010-2011 Arab uprisings against dictatorships and the subsequent rise and fall of Islamist forces, the military is once again playing a fundamental role, with Egypt being the clearest example. The panel will discuss the prospects for democratization in the Middle East, and the relationship between the political class and the military in emerging democracies.

Speakers:

Rania Barrak (Military Academy, Tunisia)
Hala Mustafa (Al-Ahram Center for Political Studies, Egypt)
Jean Oghassabian (Member of Parliament, Lebanon)
Yazid Sayigh (Carnegie Middle East Center, Palestine)

Moderator: Nabil Bou Monsef (An-Nahar, Lebanon)

9- Syria's Democracy and Lebanon's Independence

Friday 22 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

In 2004, Samir Kassir published a book entitled "Syria's Democracy and Lebanon's Independence: In Search of the Damascus Spring". In this book, he argued that Lebanon will never achieve independence until Syria is governed by a truly democratic regime. Every day that has passed since the publication of this book has proven the accuracy of Samir Kassir's analysis. The debate will shed light on the complex relationship between Lebanon and Syria, at all levels, at all times, and under all circumstances.

Speakers:

Hala Codmani (Writer, Syria)
Antoine Haddad (Democratic Renewal Movement, Lebanon)
Farid Khazen (Member of Parliament, Lebanon)
Elias Khoury (Samir Kassir Foundation, Lebanon)

Moderator: Imad Marmal (As-Safir, Lebanon)

10- Democracy and the Religious Challenge

Monday 25 May 2015
Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

Part I, 5:00 pm - Film Projection: "Lights on Darkness" by Diana Moukalled

In the three-part series "Lights on Darkness," Diana Moukalled sheds light on radical Islam by visiting three countries: Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. In the first episode (to be shown during the session), set in Iraq, she shows how al-Qaeda uses women and children to carry out suicide bombings. The series is produced by Firehorse.

Part II, 6:30 pm - Panel Discussion

In the wake of the Arab revolutions, Islamist forces have played a fundamental role, attracting millions of new voters and supporters. In response, religious minorities have demanded international protection and special status. The process of equal citizenship is still in its infancy and faces deadly challenges on a daily basis. The panel will discuss whether democracy can accommodate religiously based forces without risking its own extinction.

Speakers:

Abbas Halabi (Islamic-Christian Dialogue Committee, Lebanon)
Nabila Hamza (Equality and Parity, Tunisia)
Sven Speer (Forum for Open Religious Policy, Germany)

Moderator: Carine Torbey (BBC, Lebanon)

11- KEYNOTE SPEECH
Being Arab: The Arab Malaise Ten Years Later

Wednesday 2 7 May 2015, 6:30 pm
Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

In his book "Being Arab", Samir Kassir calls on the people of the Middle East to reject both Western double standards and Islamism in order to take the future into their own hands. Samir Kassir argues that the crisis of Arab identity lies in the failure to come to terms with modernity, turning instead to false solutions such as pan-Arabism and Islamism. Passionately written and brilliantly argued, this rallying cry for change has now been heard by millions. Marwan Muasher will discuss what has changed since the book's publication and assess the current state of Arab malaise.

Speaker: Marwan Muasher (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Jordan)

introduced by Andrew Mikhael (Queen's University Belfast, Lebanon/Ireland)

Moderator: Gisèle Khoury (Samir Kassir Foundation, Lebanon)

12- Film projection: "À la rencontre des Églises Premières" by Jacques Debs

Thursday 28 May 2015, 6:30 pm

Campus de l'innovation et du sport, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Rue de Damas

This film takes us to the discovery of the churches that were evangelized by the apostles themselves. Born in the East in a hostile environment, the survival of these churches today is a miracle. Each is on the edge of a particular culture. Jacques Debs shared the philosophy of life of these churches, made of mysticism and charity. It is a film with a stunning aesthetic, enhanced by the music of Zad Moultaka.

Speakers:

Jacques Debs (Filmmaker, Lebanon)
Samir Frangieh (Former Member of Parliament, Lebanon)
Saoud Mawla (Writer, Lebanon)

Moderator: Michel Hajji Georgiou (L'Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon)

13- Cultural Diplomacy: When Universal Values Meet the Micro-Local

Saturday 30 May 2015, 6:30 pm

Salle Montaigne - Institut français du Liban, Rue de Damas

International institutions working in the field of relief and political development usually arrive in a country undergoing conflict and difficult political transitions, and then leave. Conversely, international cultural centers and institutes often have a much longer presence on the ground. Their interaction with local artists, teachers, and thinkers allows them to develop a different understanding of realities and a more informed perspective on the future of societies. The discussion will focus on the role of these institutions in today's changing times, amidst a growing debate between advocates of universal values and proponents of cultural relativism.

Speakers:

Antonin Baudry (Institut français, France)
Eduardo Lopez Busquets (Casa Arabe, Spain)
Graham Sheffield (British Council, United Kingdom)

Moderator: Nora Joumblatt (Beiteddine Festival, Lebanon)

Salt and Blood

Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:13:03 GMT

CONCERT

SALT AND BLOOD

Nasser Deen Al Touffar, Sayed Darwish, Hello Psychaleppo!

Lebanon, Syria / Creation 2014

Saturday 7 June 2014, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

Nasser Deen Al Touffar is a Lebanese rapper from Ain Baalbeck. He started his career with the album "Asshâb El Ard" (Owners of the Land) with the band Touffar. Some believe that the album helped revolutionize Lebanese alternative music. He went on to produce several solos and songs with other artists that addressed social and political issues that individuals, generations, or even society as a whole suffer from on a daily basis. Al Touffar clearly expresses his political views in his songs without any insinuation. He sings for freedom in its various forms (workers' and women's rights, freedom of thought and belief, and the right of people to get rid of all kinds of oppressive regimes).

He will present his show "Blood and Salt" during the closing ceremony of the Beirut Spring Festival.

Nasser Deen has chosen a young Syrian rapper, known as Sayed Darwish , to accompany him and together they will perform a duet that undeniably carries all the pain of young Arabs.

Hello, Psychaleppo! is a project by Samer Saem Eldahr from Aleppo, Syria. The tracks on the self-released debut are mainly psychedelic and electronic, but have many different cultural roots, and each song revolves around a different story of modern life.

Hello Psychaleppo! i s a fusion of Arabic traditional music and electronic sounds.

Rare melodies of the Bedouin "mawwals" and choirs of the ancient tarab are carefully crafted with electronic solos and traditional "old school" arrangements, giving this music a highly distinctive and contemporary feel.

The young talent behind Hello Psychaleppo! is Zimo, a music producer from Aleppo.

Media Coverage

Our Fathers

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 02:02:36 GMT

THEATRE

OUR FATHERS

Babakas Company

United Kingdom / Creation 2014

Friday 6 June 2014, 9:00 pm

Babel Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

Voices of Hostages

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 01:42:11 GMT

DISCUSSION

VOICES OF HOSTAGES

Syria / Creation 2014

A tribute to reporters risking their lives to tell the truth.

Thursday 5 June 2014, 6:00 pm

Dawawine, Gemmayzé

Syria has become the most dangerous place in the world for journalists. Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, no less than 65 journalists have been killed and 30 others from around the world have been kidnapped. All sides of the conflict have detained journalists and reporters and tried to prevent them from telling the world about the suffering of the Syrian people.

The Samir Kassir Foundation is proud to host an intimate discussion with international reporters who have been kidnapped. These journalists have shown courage and determination in the face of life-threatening risks and enormous psychological pressure. Today, they are back in the field in many of the world's hot spots to assert their belief in freedom of information.

Media Coverage

Smashed

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 01:09:46 GMT

JUGGLING – CHOREOGRAPHY

SMASHED

Gandini Juggling

United Kingdom / Creation 2012

A sensational mix of juggling, skills, and theatricality, inspired by the work of Pina Bausch.

Wednesday 4 June 2014, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Media Coverage

Gravitational Waves

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:42:55 GMT

DANCE

GRAVITATIONAL WAVES / ONDES GRAVITIONNELLES

Compagnie Retouramont

France / Creation 2012

Trio - Gravitational, visual, choreographic and sound work in an outdoor space.

Tuesday 3 June 2014, 9:00 pm

Ajami Square, Beirut Souks, Beirut Downtown

“In this project, Gravitational Waves, I want the spectator to be like an observer of a large-scale volume exploration in public space. I would like to create a bubble of perception during this experiment, which drags the spectator-observer in a gravitational, visual, choreographic and sonorous daydream.”

– Fabrice Guillot

Media Coverage

Seuls

Thu, 30 May 2013 00:02:15 GMT

THEATRE

SEULS

Wajdi Mouawad

France / Creation 2013

Trapped in the Hermitage Museum, Harwan journeys to reclaim his lost mother tongue and identity.

Thursday 30 and Friday 31 May 2013, 9:00 pm

Le Monnot Theatre, Achrafieh

Media Coverage

La sentinelle

Wed, 29 May 2013 23:50:25 GMT

THEATRE

LA SENTINELLE

Written and directed by Wajdi Mouawad

Performed by Jane Birkin and Wajdi Mouawad

France / Creation 2003

When Jane Birkin and Wajdi Mouawad met, their deep connection gave rise to The Sentinel, where Birkin's voice sings of dignity amid tragedy.

Wednesday 29 May 2013, 9:00 pm

Roman Baths, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Cross Encounter

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:31:42 GMT

CONVERSATION

CROSS ENCOUNTER

Wajdi Mouawad, Paul Chaoul

France, Lebanon / Creation 2013

Wednesday 29 May 2013, 7:00 pm

Bank Audi Headquarters, Beirut Downtown

Wajdi Mouawad spent his childhood in Lebanon, his adolescence in France, his young adult years in Quebec, and now lives in France. A 1991 graduate of Canada's National School of Dramatic Arts, he has adapted and directed contemporary and classic plays as well as his own. He was artistic director of the Théâtre de Quat'Sous in Montreal from 2000 to 2004 and of the Théâtre français du Centre National des Arts in Ottawa from 2007 to 2012. With the creative companies he founded, Abé Carré Cé Carré in Quebec and Au Carré de l'Hypoténuse in France, he was an associate artist at the Avignon Festival in 2009, where he created Le Sang des Promesses, composed of Littoral, Incendies, Forêts and Ciels. After his last creation Temps in 2011, he turned to the staging of the seven tragedies of Sophocles, comprising the opus Des Femmes in 2011, followed by Des Héros and Des Mourants.

The recipient of numerous awards, including the Governor General's Award for Littoral in 2000 and the Prix de la Francophonie from the Société des auteurs compositeurs dramatiques in 2004 for his body of work, he was named Chevalier de l'Ordre National des Arts et Lettres in 2002, Three years later, he was named a Knight of the Order of Canada, and he received an honorary doctorate from the Ecole Normale Supérieure des Lettres et Sciences humaines de Lyon and the Grand Prix du théâtre from the Académie française. His plays have been translated into more than fifteen languages and performed all over the world, including Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Australia and the United States.

Born in Beirut in 1942, Paul Chaoul is a poet, playwright, literary critic, and leading translator of French poetry and plays. He is currently editor-in-chief of the cultural page of the daily al-Mustaqbal. One of the country's most prominent social critics and advocates of freedom of expression, he co-founded the short-lived Lebanese Movement of Conscience party.

At the heart of his poetry is his assertion that he never speaks for anyone, that a poet is his own manifesto. In 1984 he published two very different collections: Hawa' Shaghir [Empty Air] and Mita Tidhkariya [Commemorative Death]. In fact, like these works, Chaoul's poetry characteristically alternates between the nakedness of the word and its symbolic content.

In addition to his numerous collections of poetry, including La boussole du sang, Les feuillets de l'absent, Visage qui sombre, and La mort de Narcisse, he has published two books on modern Maghrebian culture and Arab theater. He has also written plays such as Choukri le suicidaire and Le visiteur. Chaoul is the author of an anthology of French poetry: Le livre de la poésie française contemporaine; 1st edition (1900-1980), Dar Attalia'a', Beirut, 1981; 2nd expanded edition (1900-1985), Dar al-Farabi, 1986. He is preparing a third edition covering the years 1900-2000. His latest collection of poems has just been published in Beirut: Comme un long mois d'amour, ed. Riad el-Rayess.

He published his first volume of poetry in 1974, and has also published works on Arabic drama and theater, and a major anthology of 20th-century French poetry. Some of his poems have been translated into French, German and English.

Media Coverage

Incendies

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:11:57 GMT

THEATRE

INCENDIES

Wajdi Mouawad

Canada / Creation 2003

Upon discovering their mother's will, Jeanne and Simon embark on a painful quest to uncover dark family secrets.

Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 May 2013, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

Chababeek Beirut

Sun, 26 May 2013 22:09:11 GMT

CONCERT

CHABABEEK BEIRUT

Tania Saleh

Lebanon / Creation 2013

Tania Saleh in concert, for the first time at the Beirut Spring Festival.

Sunday 26 May 2013, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Square, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Heart to Heart

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 00:42:09 GMT

CONCERT

HEART TO HEART
Elie Choueiri... A Messenger of Hope

Lebanon / Creation 2012

Saturday 9 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Assembly Hall, American University of Beirut, Hamra

featuring
Soumayya Baalbaki , Joseph Azar & Pierre Matar

in collaboration with

Notre-Dame University Louaize Choir

directed by Father George Rahmé

and

an o rchestra of 21 musicians

d irected by George Merheb

Elie Choueiri – Since his childhood, Elie Choueiri has always had a tremendous, boundless love for his country. He decided to convey this passion for the Land of Cedars through patriotic songs, which he repeated at every turn and which were hummed by everyone.

In times of peace as well as in times of war, his songs rekindled the flame of hope in the hearts of all Lebanese..... "Bektoub Esmik Ya Bladi", "Saff El-Aaskar", "Taala W Tetaammar Ya Dar" and "Ya Ahel El Ared" played an important role in his artistic career. His talent set him apart from all others. With his extraordinary voice, he built his reputation not only in Lebanon but also in the Arab countries. The King of Morocco, the Emir of Qatar, the President of Tunisia and many others have chosen him to tell the history of their countries in remarkable melodies. The "father of patriotic songs", Elie Choueiri still perceives art as an amalgam of sensations that come from the depths of his soul.

In 1960, Elie Choueiri went to Kuwait to learn the chords of Arabian Gulf music. He gave small concerts in the country: this was the beginning of his artistic career. In 1962, the Lebanese troupe "Al-Anwar" performed in Kuwait with Wadih El-Safi, Souad El-Hachem, Zaki Nassif and Toufic El-Bacha, to name but a few. Homesick, Elie Choueiri decided to return to Lebanon with a letter of recommendation asking an Egyptian musician named George Chamaa to support his talent. No sooner said than done, Elie joined the choir with Nicolas Deek and George Chamaa, accompanying many artists such as Fahed Ballan and Nazha Younes.

In 1963, the Rahbani brothers, Assi and Mansour, were amazed by Elie Choueiri's stunning performance on stage and invited him to join them. According to his own words, this opportunity allowed him to discover his own talent. He participated in 25 musicals with the Rahbani brothers, such as "Al-Shakhs", "Al-Leil Wal Kandil", "Sahh El-Nom", "Dawalib Al-Hawa" and the film "Bayyaa Al-Khawatem". The late journalist Saïd Freiha described him as "an icon of the Rahbani temple".

Elie Choueiri played an important role in the success of many artists such as Dalida Rahme, Majida Al-Roumi, Sabah and Samira Toufic. His heart still beats to the rhythm of passion, hope and love for his country...

Media Coverage

Lettre d'une inconnue

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:32:18 GMT

THEATRE

LETTRE D'UNE INCONNUE

Sarah Biasini, Frédéric Andrau, Christophe Lidon

France / Creation 2011

Friday 8 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Le Monnot Theatre, Achrafieh

Media Coverage

Mercan Dede & The Secret Tribe

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:04:28 GMT

CONCERT

MERÇAN DEDE & THE SECRET TRIBE

Merçan Dede

Turkey / Creation 2002

Fusion of Sufi and electronic music with three musicians and a whirling derwish.

Thursday 7 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Merçan Dede – Dede believes that when you combine digital, electronic sounds with handmade, human ones, you can create a universal language capable of uniting old and young, ancient and modern, East and West. It's a bold claim, but the Turkish-born, Montreal-based musician/producer/DJ has the career and the music to back it up. When he takes the stage with his group Secret Tribe, he hovers off to the side behind his turntables and electronics, occasionally picking up a traditional wooden flute or ney to float in sweet, breathy melodies, while masters of the kanun (zither), clarinet, darbuka (hand drum), and whatever other instruments he's decided to include that night adorn his grooves and spin magical, trance-like melodies to match the swirls of the group's spectacular dervish dancer, Mira Burke.

This contrast between electronica and classical or folkloric art goes to the heart of the Sufi philosophy that guides this unique artist. These things are not really separate," says Dede, "The essence of Sufism is counterpoint. Everything exists with its opposite. On the one hand, I do electronic music. The other side is this really acoustic, traditional music. Dede doesn't just bring in any old traditional sounds and sights to embellish his techno beats.

Media Coverage

Hotel Methuselah

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:43:21 GMT

CINEMA – THEATRE

HOTEL METHUSELAH

Pete Brooks, imitating the dog

United Kingdom / Creation 2012

Wednesday 6 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Media Coverage

Waheed Hamed

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:13:13 GMT

LECTURE

WAHEED HAMED

Egypt

Tuesday 5 June 2012, 7:00 pm

Bathish Auditorium, American University of Beirut, Hamra

Egyptian Writer & Screenwriter Waheed Hamed is the guest of honor of the 2012 Beirut Spring Festival, delivering the annual conference on Tuesday 5 June at 7:00 pm, at the Bathish Auditorium, American University of Beirut, Hamra.

Media Coverage

Kinan Azmeh

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:56:22 GMT

CONCERT

KINAN AZMEH & HIS GROUP

Kinan Azmeh

Syria / Creation 2012

Monday 4 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Babel Theatre, Hamra

Kinan Azmeh – Hailed as a "virtuoso" by the New York Times and an "incredibly rich sound" by the CBC, Kinan Azmeh is one of Syria's rising stars. His distinctive sound, which crosses musical genres, is quickly gaining international recognition.

Born in Damascus, Kinan was the first Arab to win the first prize at the 1997 Nicolai Rubinstein International Competition in Moscow. A graduate of New York's Juilliard School as a student of Charles Neidich, the Damascus High Institute of Music, where he studied with Shukry Sahwki, Nicolay Viovanof and Anatoly Moratof, and the Damascus University School of Electrical Engineering, Kinan is currently completing his doctoral studies at the City University of New York.

Kinan has performed worldwide as a soloist, composer and improviser. Notable performances include: Opera Bastille, Paris; Tchaikovsky Grand Hall, Moscow; Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the UN General Assembly, New York; Royal Albert Hall, London; Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires; Philharmonie, Berlin; Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, Washington DC; Mozarteum, Salzburg; and Damascus Opera House for its inaugural concert in his native Syria.

As a classical clarinetist, he has performed as a soloist with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Kiev Camerata, the Corasara Orchestra, and the Syrian Symphony Orchestra, among others, and has shared the stage with Marcel Khalife, Daniel Barenboim, Zakir Hussein Francois Rabbath, Solhi-al-Wadi, Manfred Leuchter, Kevork Mourad, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic, among others.

His compositions include various works for solo, orchestra and chamber music, film, live illustration and electronics.

His discography includes three albums with his ensemble HEWAR, several soundtracks for film and dance, and a duo album with pianist Dinuk Wijeratne. He is the artistic director of the Damascus Festival Chamber Music Ensemble, with whom he released an album of new contemporary Syrian chamber music written especially for the ensemble, and is on the advisory board of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra.

Media Coverage

Lalala Gershwin

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:52:54 GMT

MULTIMEDIA DANCE PERFORMANCE

LALALA GERSHWIN

José Montalvo, Dominique Hervieu

France / Creation 2010

A choreographed contemporary African hip hop dance for seven dancers and live video projection.

Sunday 3 June 2012, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

Tribute to Sabah

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:10:07 GMT

CONCERT – EXHIBITION

TRIBUTE TO SABAH

Sabah, Rima Khcheich

Lebanon / Creation 2010

A concert tribute through Sabah's most famous film songs, with an exhibition of posters from the films in which she acted, from the collection of Abboudi Abou Jaoudé.

Wednesday 8 June 2011, 9:00 pm

Assembly Hall, American University of Beirut, Hamra

Media Coverage

Massar Egbari

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:24:20 GMT

CONCERT

MASSAR EGBARI

Ayman Massoud

Egypt / Creation 2011

Tuesday 7 June 2011, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Massar Egbari – The band members created this sarcastic name for the band because they felt that society is trying to imply its power over people from their childhood until the day they die:

This social power wants to stereotype everything, including the way we think and feel, leaving no room for creation and innovation.

Massar Egbari presents music and songs that speak about our social problems. Love is not our main concern, although it is a part of our songs.

Through the different musical backgrounds of the members, the band presents a kind of alternative Egyptian music, mixing rock, jazz and blues with some oriental music.

In 2007, Massar Egbari started its international musical career by participating in two international festivals: Malta Arts Festival in Valletta, Malta and Barisa Rock Festival in Istanbul, Turkey (a three-day festival featuring 62 bands from more than 6 countries). In 2008, the band participated in the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean (Puglia 2008) in Bari, Italy.

In 2009, Massar Egbari was invited as a special guest to the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean in Skopje, Macedonia, and they performed six times on different stages in the city.

The band also participated in the Festival Adriatico Mediterraneo in Ancona, Italy in 2009.

In 2010, Massar Egbari performed at the old fort in Zanzibar (Tanzania) with 40 bands from other African countries at the Sauti Za Busara Music Festival. The festival is considered one of the most important music festivals in East Africa.

In July 2010, the band was invited to perform at the Lokum Etno Festival in Bitola, Macedonia. The band toured three Macedonian cities; Bitola, Ohrid and Skopje.

In December 2010, Massar Egbari was invited to perform at the Dubai International Film Festival, which was their first performance in the Arab world.

Massar Egbari won the prize for the Best Band Performing Original Songs in Arabic at the first International Occidental Music Competition held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2006.

Massar Egbari also won a Special Prize in the Other Songs Contest 2005 organized by the Euromed Café. 104 songs from more than 20 Mediterranean countries participated in the contest and the band's song Kol El Khal' (written by Salah Jaheen and composed by Ayman Massoud) was selected for a Special Recognition Award.

In 2006, Massar Egbari's song "Taam El Byout" (written by Abd El Rehim Mansour and composed by Ayman Massoud) was selected for a Special Prize in the Other Songs Contest, and was the most listened to song on the Euromed Café website for months.

Massar Egbari was founded in 2005 with:

Ayman Massoud, Keyboard
Hani El Dakkak, Guitar & Lead Vocal
Ahmed Hafez, Bass guitar
Tamer Atallah, Drums
Mahmoud Siam, Guitar
Hany Bedeir, Percussions

Media Coverage

Bel Canto

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:38:52 GMT

CONCERT

BEL CANTO

EN FA MI Group

Lebanon / Creation 2011

Monday 6 June 2011, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Le jardin des délices

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:36:05 GMT

DANCE

LE JARDIN DES DÉLICES

Compagnie Blanca Li

France, Spain / Creation 2009

A choreographic play for nine dancers and one pianist, inspired from the painting of Hieronymus Bosch.

Sunday 5 June 2011, 9:00 pm

Al Madina Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage

À mon âge je me cache encore pour fumer

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:54:58 GMT

THEATRE

À MON ÂGE JE ME CACHE ENCORE POUR FUMER

Rayhana, Fabian Chappuis

France / Création 2011

Saturday 4 June 2011, 9:00 pm

Tournesol Theatre, Tayyouneh

Media Coverage

With Tahar Ben Jelloun

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:33:00 GMT

CONFERENCE

TAHAR BEN JELLOUN

Tahar Ben Jelloun, Charif Majdalani

France, Morocco

Thursday 2 June 2011, 4:00 pm

Amphithéâtre Pierre Y. Abou Khater - Campus des sciences humaines, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth

Friday 3 June 2011, Résidence des Pins (by invitation only)

Tahar Ben Jelloun was born in Fes, Morocco, in December 1944. He is a Moroccan poet and writer. All his work is written in French, although his mother tongue is Arabic.

After attending a bilingual (Arabic-French) primary school, Ben Jelloun studied French in Tangier, Morocco, until the age of 18. He continued his studies in philosophy at the Mohammed-V University in Rabat, where he wrote his first poems (collected in Hommes sous linceul de silence (1971)).

Ben Jelloun then worked as a professor in Morocco, teaching philosophy first in Tetouan and then in Casablanca. He left Morocco in 1971, however, after the Arabisation of the philosophy department, unable or unwilling to teach in Arabic. He moved to Paris to continue his studies in psychology and began to write more extensively.

From 1972, Ben Jelloun began writing articles and reviews for the French newspaper Le Monde, and in 1975 he obtained his doctorate in social psychiatry. Drawing on his experience of psychotherapy, he wrote La Réclusion solitaire in 1976.

In 1985, Ben Jelloun published the novel "L'Enfant de sable", which was widely acclaimed. In 1987, he won the Prix Goncourt for his novel La Nuit Sacrée.

In 1997 he published Le Racisme expliqué à ma fille, in which he "explains racism to his daughter", using his family as an inspiration for his novels. He is regularly invited to give speeches and lectures at universities around the world, both in Morocco and in Europe.

In 2004, Ben Jelloun won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for This Blinding Absence of Light (translated from the French by Linda Coverdale). In 2005, he was awarded the Prix Ulysse for his body of work.

In September 2006, Ben Jelloun was awarded a special prize for "peace and friendship between peoples" at the Lazio between Europe and the Mediterranean Festival.

On 1 February 2008, Nicolas Sarkozy made him a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.

Ben Jelloun is married with 4 children. He lives in Paris.

In his novel Leaving Tangier, Ben Jelloun writes about a Moroccan brother and sister who leave their impoverished homeland in search of a better life in Spain. This novel casts a cold light on an often overlooked and sometimes unimaginable side of North African life, and is unflinching in its commitment to exposing the sacrifice and pain involved in the struggle to rise above poverty and move within the Western world.Leaving Tangier follows the journeys of Azel and his sister Kenza as they attempt to reinvent their lives in Barcelona, and how their paths diverge once they arrive.Each sibling's ambition rests in the hands of Miguel, a mysterious, wealthy older Spaniard and a man who is generous and loving one moment, demanding and cruel the next. Miguel's power lies in what he can give the siblings - and in what he can take away.

His novels L'Enfant de sable and La Nuit sacrée have been translated into 43 languages. Le racism expliqué à ma fille has been translated into 33 languages. In 1987, he won the Prix Goncourt for his novel La Nuit Sacrée.

Media Coverage

Zajal

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:05:52 GMT

CONCERT – ARABIC OPERA

ZAJAL

Zad Moultaka, Fadia Tomb El Hage, Ars Nova Orchestra

Lebanon, France

Inspired from Lebanese Zajal.

Tuesday 8 June 2010, 9:00 pm

The Roman Baths, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Khartech 3al Zamann

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:32:07 GMT

HIP HOP – CONCERT

KHARTECH 3AL ZAMANN

Wael Kodeih, Naïssam Jalal, Yves Bittar, Yann Pittard, Emmanuel Sauvage, Ludovic Joyeux

Lebanon, France

Rayess Beik and his band.

Sunday 6 June 2010, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Ensemble Badila

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:14:20 GMT

SPECTACLE – CONCERT

THE BADILA ENSEMBLE

Ava Farhang, Javid Yahyazadeh, Sardar Mohamadjani, Mame Khan Manghaniyar, Bastien Lagatta

France, India, Iran

Traditional ancestral music & Sufi dance.

Saturday 5 June 2010, 9:00 pm

The Dome, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Pazzi

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:33:36 GMT

SPECTACLE – CONTEMPORARY BALLET

PAZZI

Stéphanie Bowl, Geraldine Lonfat, André Pignat

Switzerland

Refusing passive submission to the world and its morals that make dreams inaccessible and justify fatalism.

Friday 4 June 2010, 9:00 pm

The Dome, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Moi, Anna Politkovskaïa

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:24:06 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

MOI,

ANNA POLITKOVSKAÏA

Katy Grandi, Jean-Jacques Greneau

France

A tribute monologue to the Russian journalist, assassinated in 2006.

Thursday 3 June 2010, 9:00 pm

Théâtre de Beyrouth, Ain el Mraïsseh

Media Coverage

L'Orient Express : chronique d'un magazine libanais des années 1990

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:22:46 GMT

ROUNDTABLE – BOOK

L'ORIENT-EXPRESS: CHRONIQUE D'UN MAGAZINE LIBANAIS DES ANNÉES 1990

Sandra Iché, Chérif Majdalani, Jabbour Doueihy, Omar Boustany, Nada Chaoul, Médéa Azouri Habib

Lebanon

Monday 22 June 2009, 6:00 pm

Salle Montaigne, Institut français du Liban

The IFPO (French Institute of the Middle East), the SCAC (French Embassy) and the Samir Kassir Foundation organi ze a round table on the book " L'Orient-Express : chronique d'un magazine libanais des années 1990, Beyrouth, Cahiers de l’Ifpo n° 3, 2009 ". This book g athers the testimonies of the journalists and intellectuals who collaborated with Samir Kassir at the l’O rient-Express magazine , which still represents to this day a rare documentation on the various political, economic, social, cultural, and artistic aspects of Lebanon from 1995 to 1998.

With the participation of editorialists Chérif Majdalani, Jabbour Doueihy, Omar Boustany and Nada Chaoul. A conversation moderated by Médéa Azouri Habib.

With expected live interventions from editorialists Rasha Salti, Alexandre Medawar, Carmen Abou Jaoudeh, Houda Kassatly and Mazen Kerbaj.

Media Coverage

The Narcicyst

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:04:21 GMT

HIP HOP – CONCERT

THE NARCICYST

Yassin Al Salman

Canada, United Arab Emirates

Sunday 21 June 2009, 9:00 pm

Samir Kassir Garden, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

The Assassination of Omar Rajeh

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:51:47 GMT

CONFERENCE – DANCE

THE ASSASSINATION OF OMAR RAJEH

Omar Rajeh, Hazem Saghieh

Lebanon

Saturday 20 June 2009, 9:00 pm

The Roman Baths, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

When the Orient inspires French Opera

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:16:54 GMT

CONCERT – OPERA

WHEN THE ORIENT INSPIRES FRENCH OPERA

Rémi Van Sam, Mahkame Navabi

France, Iran

Friday 19 June 2009, 9:00 pm

Assembly Hall, American University of Beirut

Media Coverage

The Bubble

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:41:41 GMT

MULTIMEDIA INSTALLATION PERFORMANCE

THE BUBBLE

Raja Ben Ammar, Phou Theater

Tunisia

Thursday 18 June 2009, 9:00 pm

The Dome, Beirut Downtown

Media Coverage

Poets have disappeared from life on Earth

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:53:50 GMT

SPECTACLE – THEATRE

POETS HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM LIFE ON EARTH

Katia Gerou, Thodoros Kotepanos

Greece

Show dedicated to the memory of the great Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis and the great theater master Karolos Koun.

Wednesday 17 June 2009, 9:00 pm

Babel Theatre, Hamra

Media Coverage