Lebanon's Baalbek Festival to host major performers

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-05-25

[JOESPH FADDOUL/Al-Shorfa] Baalbek International Festival's May Arida joins fellow organisers to discuss this year's event.

May Arida, the head of the Baalbek International Festival, is hopeful that peace will last in Lebanon so that such festivals can reflect a civilised image of this small country.

Al-Shorfa interviewed Mrs. Arida after this year's programme was launched.

Al-Shorfa: What does the festival program include this season?

Arida: This season will feature eight rich arts events that target all ages. We have eastern and western art, in addition to Lebanese nights, which is a fixed slot on the festival agenda.

The stars of the festivals are Mika, an international singer of Lebanese origin. There will be two jazz bands from the US, the Kevin Mahogany quintet and the Odean Pope All Stars Nonet.

The Orkiestra Sinfonietta Cracovia from Poland will mark the bicentenary of Frederic Chopin's birth. Boris Eifman, from Russia, will present the great Anna Karenina ballet. From Iraq, Naseer Shamma with the Oud House Orchestra will perform, and there will be a musical from Lebanon titled "Love May Kill".

Al-Shorfa: Tell us more about "Love May Kill", which is the first performance by musician Melhem Barakat in the festival.

Arida: "Love May Kill" is a musical that was written, composed and performed by Barakat and Ghassan Rahbani. Rania El-Haj and Pierre Chamoun will participate with 100 actors, dancers and stuntmen.

Al-Shorfa: What is special about this year's festival?

Arida: The programme is remarkable for its diverse content. But the main characteristic is the musical composers and orchestra conductors. This year we host Krzysztof Penderecki, the conductor who won an international award for his piece "Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima" and other remarkable international awards.

He performed here during the 1971 Baalbek festival. He will lead the 74-strong Orkiestra Sinfonietta Cracovia and will be accompanied by pianist Krzysztof Jablonski. The importance of this night also stems from what is going to be played, especially Chopin's piano concerto no. 1.

Al-Shorfa: Do you expect many foreign visitors?

Arida: I think we will see a foreign audience because of the variety of events in the programme. I say this because last year we had visitors from Canada, UK, Italy and France because of the peaceful conditions.

Al-Shorfa: Did you face difficulties in pulling the program together?

Arida: There were many difficulties, especially those concerning the participating groups. One difficulty this year was travel from Poland for the orchestra to Lebanon because there are no direct flights. We could not secure their travel on Middle East Airways or Air France. But we succeeded in contracting a company that will take them to Lebanon and back home.

Al-Shorfa: Did you prepare a programme so guests can taste Lebanese dishes?

Arida: In this area Baalbek residents do their best. We all know how big their hearts are. The Baalbek residents honour festival guests. They are the symbol of Lebanese hospitality and good reception.

Al-Shorfa: After more than 50 years of organising this festival, what did it add to Lebanon?

Arida: The Baalbek International Festival ranked fifth on the list of the most important international festivals. Arab countries show interest in the festival, especially when we receive invitations to these countries to talk about our experiences and the secret behind its continuity.

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