Salim Warde says Lebanon's creativity flourishes during world festivals

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-02-22

[RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP/Getty Images] Actors perform as part of the Beirut Street Festival last October.

A number of festivals which showcase the country's diverse culture to an international audience are being held in Lebanon. The festivals enjoy a high reputation and continue on an annual basis.

Lebanese Culture Minister Salim Warde said in an interview with Al-Shorfa that the nation's cultural strategy, scheduled to be announced soon, will consider all components of Lebanese society.

Al-Shorfa: What is your assessment of the "Beirut World Book Capital" activities?

Salim Warde: The festivities marking the "Beirut World Book Capital" event were launched under my predecessor, Minister Tamam Salam. The programmes that have already been carried out for this Lebanese and global cultural event were great. Probably the best thing that was accomplished was the participation of all sectors of Lebanese civil society, with all its cultural activities, in this celebration of the book event.

The Beirut festivities, and all of Lebanon, are not just celebrating one individual but a group of people who represent the entire society. They proved that this event is remarkable and has its place in Lebanon. We hope that these festivities will be as successful during my tenure as they were under Minister Salam.

Al-Shorfa: Will these achievements help cultural growth and activity in different areas of Lebanon?

Warde: Whether we like it or not, these festivities, particularly the "Beirut World Book Capital" event will officially end on April 22nd. This, however, does not mean that cultural growth will stop on that date. The ministry of culture will not close its doors with the end of the festivities. The growth shall continue.

We regard the current activities and festivities as the formation of a new cultural phase in Lebanon that can showcase Lebanese creativity, not only in writing and poetry, but also in all other cultural aspects, colours and images. Through these festivities, we have proved and continue to prove to ourselves and to the whole world that Lebanese expertise and creativity are well-developed.

Building on this creative development, we have to continue our efforts, especially as culture occupies an important spot in Lebanon. We are ready to move ahead, and for many years to come, in raising the cultural torch according to a new level and a new vision.

Al-Shorfa: Does that mean that the cultural strategy will use a new model to promote cultural growth?

Warde: The strategy or cultural plan, whose launch was postponed to a later date after its press conference coincided with the Ethiopian jet accident, carries an advanced cultural vision that takes into consideration all components of the Lebanese culture and Lebanon's renewed role.

Before translating this vision into an effective strategy, we involved all the cultural sectors in a constructive discussion. Each sector proposed their ideas, which were subject to discussion and modification in order to develop a comprehensive strategy that involves all the opinions presented in all fields.

Al-Shorfa: The annual Al-Bustan International Festival just started. How significant is this festival to Lebanon?

Warde: This festival needs no introduction because it has become a trademark that carries the name of Lebanon to the world for its sophisticated cultural programmes. Ms. Mirna al-Bustani designs these programmes and goes to great lengths to make sure they are running well. She has succeeded in making it a unique festival, despite all the challenging circumstances in Lebanon.

For example, the organisation of cultural events goes on without any problems when the conditions are good in Lebanon, but they stop as soon as there is a security emergency. However, the Al-Bustan Festival continued during the darkest and most difficult circumstances, maintaining its professionalism and its world-class standards.

This compels us to recognize all the organisers for their insistence on highlighting the sophisticated image of Lebanon and exporting it abroad. At the end of the day, we ask: what is the wealth of Lebanon? Our answer is its creative people who continue to give during the darkest times and who always seek to attain excellence.

Al-Shorfa: Will the ministry of culture include in its new strategy the holding of an annual cultural festival?

Warde: I will leave the answer to when I announce the new strategy.

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