Beiteddine festival showcases Lebanon's thriving cultural scene

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-04-22

[JOSEPH FADDOUL/AL-SHORFA] Nora Jumblatt, president of the Beiteddine International Festival.

The Beiteddine International Festival will commemorate its silver jubilee this summer with a programme that features world famous performers, including jazz singer Diana Krall, pop artist Max Reaper and a circus show with Victoria Chaplin.

The event, which runs June 25th till August 2nd, will also celebrate the bicentenary of composer Frederic Chopin.

Nora Jumblatt, president of the festival, discussed this year's program with Al-Shorfa.

Al-Shorfa: Can you tell us about this year programme?

Jumblatt: It is a rich programme that caters to all tastes. It brings classical music with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra with Walid Gholmieh as conductor. Artist Hiba Kawas will sing a poem written by Kamal Jumblatt. The orchestra will play the sixth symphony by Gholmieh. The Krakow Ensemble will add chamber music to the classical music content. The festival will include a jazz performance with Ziad Rahbani and another by Diana Krall.

As for dancing there will be ballet, contemporary dance in addition to Victoria Chaplin's circus show. There will be pop music with Pink Martini, and opera [with il divo].

In a salute to the stars of Arabic music, Moroccan artist Abdou Charif will perform songs by Abdelhaleem Hafiz.

Al-Shorfa: What have Beiteddine festivals added to Lebanon?

Jumblatt: There is no doubt about what these festivals have given a lot to Lebanon, especially during the painful incidents that gripped the country. We should not forget that the Beiteddine festival was launched in 1985 at the height of the civil war.

Despite the ugly situation at the time, the festivals presented a civilised face to the world and highlighted Lebanon's cultural and touristic identity. After its launch, the festival was a pioneering event because Lebanon's [other] activities were suspended. The festivals have enhanced the civilized image of Lebanon.

Al-Shorfa: How big is the responsibility for setting a programme that reflects the importance of the event?

Jumblatt: It is a huge responsibility, but we are used to shouldering it in all the seasons of the festival. As usual, we have brought together international Lebanese, Arab and foreign artists.

This compels me to say that this is very important for our region, and so that Lebanon maintains a cultural presence in the world. This is not only about Beiteddine, but also other festivals. I salute every individual for their efforts in making these festivals happen.

Al-Shorfa: Did you face difficulties in persuading international artists to come to Lebanon?

Jumblatt: The [conflicts] in the region are not new. In spite of that, international artists take part in all Lebanese festivals every year. I think what helped us this year is that Lebanon was a chosen [tourist] destination in 2009 for several international newspapers such as The New York Times and The Guardian. This international depiction of Lebanon's current situation encouraged the artists to come.

Al-Shorfa: Something new this season is participation by the British Victoria & Albert museum. What does that bring to the festival?

Jumblatt: A great deal, especially when it is a world-class exhibition [centre]. The museum will present an exhibition about contemporary Islamic art with support from the Abdul Latif Jameel foundation.

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