Tag Archives | program

Beirut Madinati – Some Things Are Easier Said Than Done

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Beirut municipal elections will take place this weekend and I’m definitely voting for Beirut Madinati against the traditional coalition of ruling political parties that has been winning since 1998 and did absolutely nothing significant for the city.

I honestly didn’t care much about Beirut Madinati’s campaign at the beginning and didn’t even feel curious to know their candidates assuming they’re a bunch of attention seeking activists, but later noticed how wrong I was after they unveiled their list and showed how serious they are about their agenda.

However, that doesn’t mean I see them as perfect as some people portray them on social media, not due to anything they did wrong, but simply because some points in their electoral program don’t make much sense to me.

Affordable Housing

With the skyrocketing prices nowadays, it’s no longer easy to buy an apartment in Beirut. I’m an authentic Beiruti, I was born and raised in this city and never imagined that I will be living anywhere else, but I was unfortunately forced to move to Aramoun when I got married due to the prices increase after 2006. So talking about affordable housing in Beirut definitely relates to my problem and thousands others like me. Beirut Madinati is addressing this issue by promising affordable apartments.

Now let’s get real for a moment, the real estate market in Lebanon is a free one and the set prices follow the rules of supply and demand. It’s quite simple, there’s a huge demand for apartments in this city and little supply of constructed units so it only makes sense for the prices to be high. The only way for the municipality to provide these affordable apartments is by financing their construction itself and sell them at cost price, and in order to satisfy half of the demand the municipality will eventually have to turn into one giant construction company.

I simply don’t see it feasible to do. Apartments are also so expensive in many other cities around the world and you don’t see neither municipalities nor governments intervening, on the other hand the transportation system is enhanced so that people can adapt to living in surrounding areas. And this brings us to the next point…

Transportation

Beirut Madinati wants to enhance the transportation system around the capital by introducing new bus lines and reorganizing the already operating buses, micros buses, and taxis.

This is seriously much needed in Beirut, and I would give up using my car during weekdays if there was a reliable system to get me in and out of the city. But I highly doubt the Beirut Madinati people have previously tried using public transportation and know how the buses around Beirut work because they apparently think their plan is going to be easy to implement.

Truth is that the transportation system in and out of Beirut is actually ruled by mafias. Those who use it know better about the clashes that happen between drivers over a certain line, and how the departure time of each bus is set deliberately by designated agents on the road in order to maximize the number of passengers. Needless to say, these mafias are backed by political parties, and everything that works the same way is very hard to fix. The ongoing case of illegal internet is the biggest example about that.

Do you seriously think the “van ra2em 4” gang is going to abide by any new system? Dream on.

Green Areas and Parking Spaces

This is not exclusive to Beirut Madinati, actually every candidate is promising more green areas and parking spaces around Beirut. Beirut Madinati is going the extra mile of promising a green space for each neighborhood in Beirut.

I seriously would like to know how on earth are we going to create a new green space in Tarik El-Jadida, Mar Elias, Ras El Nabeh, Basta, and other neighborhoods where there are barely any lot left that is large enough to accommodate a 150m2 apartment building. It would be good to support these promises with a map showing the locations of the parks to be.

As for parking spaces, I think it would be enough to just claim back the hijacked spaces from valet parking thugs in several areas of Beirut. That alone would be a major achievement for the new municipality.

I’m still voting for Beirut Madinati

Yes I do have some reservations over their electoral program, hell I even disliked some of their candidates, but I’m voting for them because I’m bored of the same party ruling the city for 18 years now with no significant achievements.

I’m voting for Beirut Madinati neither for an affordable apartment in Beirut, nor a better transportation system, I actually lost hope that things would get better in this corrupt country, I just want them to come in power because we have the right to try someone new and see how they are going to manage the available resources and proceed with new projects for the better of our city.

And you also have nothing to lose, it isn’t like the previous council did wonders to you, so give other people a chance and vote for Beirut Madinati.

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AUB 150th Anniversary

american university of beirut

This year marks 150 years since the establishment of The American University of Beirut in 1866.

AUB is by far the oldest university in Lebanon and has to some extent played a role in shaping the history of Beirut by influencing the culture of the surrounding area in Hamra and making it a meeting place for avant-garde thinking and revolutionaries during the 60s and 70s.

I have always admired their campus which is in my opinion the most beautiful one among other Lebanese universities, and a stroll in their green areas always feels like an escape from Beirut’s polluted atmosphere.

To celebrate their 150th anniversary, AUB built a dedicated website http://150.aub.edu.lb that has their calendar of events throughout the year, in addition to a history timeline highlighting their milestones and accomplishments, and a cool page sharing the stories of couple that have met at AUB.

I highly recommend you check out the website for some bits of history and interesting old photos of the university.

photo via flickr

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The Ultimate Guide to 2015 Summer Festivals in Lebanon

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The good people at Lebtivity have the full program for nearly each and every festival going around the country this summer. So I thought it would be nice to compile them all in one post to help both tourists and locals better know about them and pick the concerts and events they would like to attend. Clicking on each event will lead you to its respective program on Lebtivity.com.

Byblos Festival

The International Festival has been held annually since 2003, in July. It takes place by the seaside in the historic quarter, in front of the castle built by Crusaders in the 12th century.

Baalbeck International Festival

The festivals date back to the mid 20th century with the first organizing activities being held in 1955. After one year, presiden Chamoun named it the Baalbeck International Festival, which became a governmental institution whose goal was to promote tourism and Lebanese culture.

Beiteddine Art Festival

The Beiteddine Festival was launched amidst war and destruction in the middle of the 80’s. It came as an act of faith in Lebanon’s cultural specificity and its power of creativity and artistic freedom. It was a call for normality in the middle of the chaos and madness of the civil war. The festival takes place in the large 200-year old Beiteddine Palace.

Jounieh International Festival

Jounieh International Festival was launched in 2011 is now famous for the opening ceremony marked by the synchronized fireworks show along the bay of Jounieh. The festival takes place at Fouad Chehab stadium.

Zouk International Festival

Zouk International Festival was launched in 2010 and attracts guests from all over the country and abroad. Zouk Mikael is 10 minutes away from Beirut, perched on a hill of Kesrouwan overlooking the Mediterranean. Its roman styled amphitheatre with a capacity of 2500, built for major events, hosts the festival.

Batroun International Festival

The festival had a shy and amateur debut in the early 90’s until it acquired international standards and earned its place among international cultural festivals. In 2009, the Batroun International Festival was born and started hosting leading local and international artist from all over the world.

Ehdeniyat – Ehden International Festival

Ehdeniyat, which started in 2004, flourished from a local and national event to an International festival of Music and Art. But above all this, Ehdeniyat became an experience of glamour, culture and tradition; “An Experience that Never Ends”.

Beirut Holidays

Beirut Holidays is a series of concerts and shows in the heart of Beirut Souks. Launched in 2012, the festival brings together diverse musical performances and talents, local artists and international performers, from East and West mixing varying genres and tastes.

Cedars International Festival

After almost half a century, the Cedars International Festival will return this summer to Bsharri. The northern town will host several of Lebanon’s top artists as part of an effort to revive tourism in the district. The four-night festival will feature a wide range of musical and artistic performances.

Dbayeh Festival

An enchanting event taking place in Dbayeh this summer. An initiative by Tajammo Ahel Al Mahabba for the fifth consecutive year to raise the voice of hope and peace in Lebanon.

Moreover, the below smaller festivals will also be happening.

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Beirut Spring Festival – The fifth edition

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The Beirut Spring Festival was created in 2009 by the Samir Kassir Foundation to commemorate his assassination, and was inspired by one of the last articles written by him.

This year’s version of te festival starts on May 26th and will last for five days, featuring several artisits at different venues around Beirut, and below is the festival program.

  • May 26: Tania Saleh in concert at Samir Kassir square
  • May 27/28: Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad at Al Madina theater
  • May 29: Corss encounter with Wajdi Mouawad and Paul Chaoul at Bank Audi headquarters in Downtown
  • May 29: The Sentinel at The Roman Baths in Downtown
  • May 30/31: Alone at Monnot theater

For more information you can check Beirut Spring Festival’s website or Facebook page.

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Hay Festival Beirut

hay festival beirut

The Hay Festival is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales, to celebrate writers, artists and thinkers for 10 days from May to June. And since last year, the festival has expanded to Beirut and several other international cities.

This year’s version will be held for three days from May 8 till May 10 at several venues across Beirut, and you may check the full program here.

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May Hariri VS. MTV Lebanon

Regardless if what she’s saying is true or not, one thing is for sure, it’s fun when “stars” get upset! Let’s hope it will not become a trend for every contestant in Dancing With The Stars to make a fuss out of being eliminated in the upcoming episodes!

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The 19th European Film Festival

The 19th European Film Festival will be held from 29 November to 9 December at Cinema Metropolis Empire Sofil, and below is the festival’s program.

  • Shadow Dancer
    Directed by James Marsh On Thursday, November 29 at 10:00 pm & On Sunday, December 2 at 3:00 pm
  • Montevideo, bog te video | Montevideo, Taste of a Dream
    Directed by Dragan Bjelogrlić On Thursday, November 29 at 10:00 pm & On Tuesday, December 4 at 5:00 pm
  • Small Crime
    Directed by Christos Georgiou On Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 pm & On Saturday, December 1st at 10:30 pm
  • Flickan | The Girl
    Directed by Fredrik Edfeldt On Friday, November 30 at 3:00 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 10:30 pm
  • Μπιλόμπα | Biloba
    Directed by Sofia Papachristou On Friday, November 30 at 5:30 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 10:30 pm
  • Prinsessa | Princess
    Directed by Arto Halonen On Friday, November 30 at 5:30 pm & On Saturday, December 4 at 10:30 pm
  • Cesare deve morire | Caesar Must Die
    Directed by Paolo & Vittorio Taviani On Friday, November 30 at 8:00 pm & On Sunday, December 2 at 10:30 pm
  • Rundskop | Bullhead
    Directed by Michaël R. Roskam On Friday, November 30 at 8:00 pm & On Wednesday, December 5 at 10:30 pm
  • Gnade | Mercy
    Directed by Matthias Glasner On Friday, November 30 at 10:30 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 8:00 pm
  • A halálba táncoltatott leány | The Maiden Danced to Death
    Directed by Endre Hules On Friday, November 30 at 10:30 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 8:00 pm
  • Love.net
    Directed by Ilian Djevelekov On Saturday, December 1 at 3:00 pm & On Friday, December 7 at 10:30 pm
  • Le mulot menteur | The Mouse With a Mouth
    Directed by Marina Rosset, Sophie Roze, Andrea Kiss On Saturday, December 1 at 11:00 am
  • Jutro będzie lepiej | Tomorrow Will Be Better
    Directed by Dorota Kędzierzawska On Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 5:30 pm
  • Lóve | Love
    Directed by Jakub Kroner On Saturday, December 1 at 3:00 pm & On Friday, December 7 at 5:30 pm
  • Camille redouble | Camille Rewinds
    Directed by Noémie Lvovsky On Saturday, December 1 at 5:30 pm & On Tuesday, December 4 at 10:30 pm
  • Hævnen In a Better World
    Directed by Susanne Bier On Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 pm & On Wednesday, December 5 at 5:30 pm
  • Atmen | Breathing
    Directed by Karl Markovics On Saturday, December 1 at 10:30 pm & On Thursday, December 6 at 8:00 pm
  • L’Enfant d’en Haut | Sister
    Directed by Ursula Meier On Sunday, December 2 at 8:00 pm & On Wednesday, December 5 at 5:30 pm
  • Uwikłanie | Entanglement
    Directed by Jacek Bromski On Sunday, December 2 at 3:00 pm & On Thursday, December 6 at 5:30 pm
  • 18 comidas | 18 Meals
    Directed by Jorge Coira On Sunday, December 2 at 10:30 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 pm
  • Cykelmyggen og dansemyggen | A Tale of Two Mozzies
    Directed by Jannik Hastrup & Flemming Quist Møller On Friday, December 2 at 11:30 am
  • Na půdě aneb Kdo má dneska narozeniny? | In The Attic: Who Has a Birthday Today?
    Directed by Jiří Barta On Sunday, December 2 at 5:30 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 3:00 pm
  • Medalia de onoare | Medal of Honour
    Directed by Calin Peter Netzer On Sunday, December 2 at 8:00 pm & On Tuesday, December 4 at 5:30 pm
  • Üvegtigris 3 | Glass Tiger 3
    Directed by Péter Rudolf On Monday, December 3 at 5:30 pm & On Friday, December 7 at 3:00 pm
  • Glück | Bliss
    Directed by Doris Dörrie On Monday, December 3 at 10:00 pm & On Thursday, December 6 at 10:00 pm
  • Wuthering Heights
    Directed by Andrea Arnold On Monday, December 3 at 10:30 pm & On Friday, December 7 at 8:00 pm
  • En Familie | A Family
    Directed by Pernille Fischer Christensen On Monday, December 3 at 5:30 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 10:30 pm
  • Операция „Шменти Капели“ | Operation “Shmenti Kapeli”
    Directed by Ivan Mitov On Monday, December 3 at 8:00 pm & On Wednesday, December 5 at 10:30 pm
  • Omar m’a tuer | Omar Killed Me
    Directed by Roschdy Zem On Monday, December 3 at 10:30 pm
  • Pa negre | Black Bread
    Directed by Agustí Villaronga On Tuesday, December 4 at 8:00 pm & On Thursday, December 6 at 5:30 pm
  • The Angels’ Share
    Directed by Ken Loach On Tuesday, December 4 at 8:00 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 5:30 pm
  • Bröllopsfotografen | The Wedding Photographer
    Directed by Ulf Malmros On Wednesday, December 5 at 8:00 pm & On Saturday, December 8 at 3:00 pm
  • De rouille et d’os | Rust and Bone
    Directed by Jacques Audiard On Wednesay, December 5 at 8:00 pm & On Friday, December 7 at 22:30 pm
  • Reality
    Directed by Matteo Garrone On Thursday, December 6 at 8:00 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 10:30 pm
  • Le mur | The Wall
    Directed by Odette Makhlouf On Sunday, December 9 at 5:30 pm
  • Der ganz große traum | Lessons of a Dream
    Directed by Sebastian Grobler On Friday, December 7 at 5:30 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 pm
  • A perdre la raison | Our Children
    Directed by Joachim Lafosse On Friday, December 7 at 8:00 pm & On Sunday, December 9 at 5:30 pm
  • Les saveurs du palais | Haute Cuisine
    Directed by Christian Vincent On Saturday, December 8 at 8:00 pm
  • La chute de la maison Usher | The Fall of The House of Usher
    Directed by Jean Epstein On Sunday, December 9 at 8:00 pm

Tickets will be on sale for 4,000 L.L. For more information about the festival and the program you can check Metropolis Cinema’s website.

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Fete De La Musique 2012 – Beirut

This year’s edition of Fete De La Musique is happening in a couple of days on June 21st  and will span over 9 locations across Beirut, featuring as usual both amateur and professional musicians.

Check below the festival schedule and start choosing which artists to watch!

Fete De La Musique 2012- Roman Baths

The Roman Baths venue will feature seven different artists, all performing varying genres.

  • 20:00-20:30 Marc Nader (Folk)
  • 20:40-21:10 Dida’s (Acoustic Music)
  • 21:20-21:50 Les Artistes (Folk, Acoustic Rock)
  • 22:00-23:00 Les Fils Du Calvaire (Electro-Rock)
  • 23:10-23:30 Segundo Bloco (Samba, Brazillian Percussions)
  • 23:40-00:10 Poly (Pop)
  • 00:20-00:50 The Passive Standouts (Rock)

Fete De La Musique 2012- Beirut Souks

The Beirut Souks venue will feature seventeen different artists, all performing varying genres on two different locations, the Platform and Ajami Square.

Beirut Souks Platform Venue:

  • 19:00-20:00 Chorale Tania Kassis (Choral, Chants)
  • 20:10-20:30 Nachaz (Rock, Blues)
  • 20:40-21:10 Silverage (Pop, Alternative Rock)
  • 21:20-21:50 Life Line (Rock)
  • 22:00-22:20 Beirut Blues Brothers (Blues, Rock)
  • 22:30-23:00 Soul Sister (Soul, Funk)
  • 23:10-23:40 Butterfly (Rock)
  • 23:50-00:20 The Locals (Rock, Blues)
  • 00:30-1:00 The Fan Dolls (Rock)

Beirut Souks Ajami Square Venue:

  • 20:00-20:20 Elie Sawaya (Variety)
  • 20:30-20:45 Tina Fish (Slam Poetry)
  • 20:50-21:20 Nour Yammouni (Pop)
  • 21:30-22:00 Blue Yeast (Blues Jazz)
  • 22:10-22:50 The Missing Pixels (Folk)
  • 23:00-23:20 Snowslash (Rock)
  • 23:30-23:50 Ashekman (Rap)
  • 23:55-00:15 Zeinedin (Rap)
  • 00:20-00:40 Banely (Rap)

Fete De La Musique 2012- Samir Kassir Square

The Samir Kassir Gardens venue will feature eight different artists, all performing varying genres.

  • 19:30-19:50 IQEWS (Alternative Rock)
  • 20:00-20:20 Point of View & Bob Arja (Rap)
  • 20:30-20:50 7ta2at (Rap)
  • 21:00-21:20 What’s Your Story (Rock, Pop)
  • 21:30-22:00 Homemade (Alt Rock, Pop)
  • 22:10-22:30 Srai (Rock)
  • 22:40-23:10 Jammit the Band (Reggae)
  • 23:30-23:50 Bandage Group (Pop, Rock)
  • 00:00-00:30 Wata El Lounge (Trip-rock, Dub)
  • 00:20-00:50 The Passive Standouts (Rock)

Fete De La Musique 2012- Martyrs’ Square

The Martyrs’ Square venue will feature eight different artists, all performing varying genres.

  • 19:00-20:00 Gabriel Abdel Nour (Arabic Pop)
  • 20:10-20:40 The Coolcumbers (Alternative Rock)
  • 20:50-21:30 Episode (Prog Rock)
  • 21:40-22:20 Lazzy Lung (Indie Rock)
  • 22:30-22:50 Anixa (Rock)
  • 23:00-23:40 Epic (Rock)
  • 23:50-00:10 The Rakans (Pop, Electro)
  • 00:20-01:20 DJ Andre Rizzo (Electro)

Fete De La Musique 2012- Zaitunay Bay

The Zaitunay Bay venue will feature eight different artists, all performing varying genres.

  • 20:00-20:20 Abdel Harb (Flamenco Guitar)
  • 20:30-21:00 Rojo Del Libano (Flamenco)
  • 21:10-21:40 Bruno Tabbal (Rock, Pop)
  • 21:50-22:10 Beirut Vocal Point (A capella)
  • 22:20-22:50 Band Audi (Rock, Blues)
  • 23:00-23:30 Blue Band LB (Rock, Reggae)
  • 23:40-00:05 Gilbert Simon and Jebebara (Pop, Arabic)
  • 00:15-00:35 Maher Salame (Electro Oriental, House)

Fete De La Musique 2012- Saint Louis Capuchin Church

The Saint Louis Capuchin Church venue will feature two performing groups.

  • 18:00-19:00 Chorale Du College Protestant
  • 19:00-20:00 Pastorale De L’USJ

Fete De La Musique 2012- National Evangelical Church of Beirut

The National Evangelical Church of Beirut venue will feature two performing groups.

  • 18:30-19:15 Chamber Music
  • 19:15-20:00 Classical Chants

Fete De La Musique 2012 – Beirut New Waterfront

The Beirut Waterfront Venue will feature performances by ten different DJs.

  • 8:00 pm- Alterra (Deep House)
  • 9:00 pm- Tavarish (Dubstep)
  • 10:00 pm- Ryan K (Deep House)
  • 11:00 pm- The Middle Beast (House)
  • 12:00 am- Jade (House)
  • 1:00 am- Dop [Paris] (Tech-House)
  • 2:00 am- Diamond Setter (Tech-House)
  • 3:00 am- Trix (Deep House)

Supported by Vanclode Jandam
VJ’s: Mosig / TM / Beirut Visuals

via evention

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Lebanon 2012 summer festivals

The programs of Baalbeck, Beiteddine, and Byblos festivals has been announced over the last few day, and it looks like Byblos has the most interesting one so far. Below are the three programs as announced.

Beiteddine:

  • Caracalla Dance Theatre on June 28th, 29th & 30th
  • Sylvie Guillem & Russel Maliphant on July 7th
  • A night of Tarab, Muwashahat & Qudud on July 12th
  • The Cranberries on July 14th 2012
  • The Dizzy Gillespie on July 17th
  • La Bohème on July 26th 2012

More information here: Beiteddine.org

Byblos:

  • Slash on June 25th
  • Julien Clerc on July 4thB.B. King on July 5th
  • Ute Lemper on July 11th
  • Kadim Al Sahir on July 14th
  • Snow Patrol on July 17th
  • Tinariwen on July 25th

More information here: ByblosFestival.org

Baalbeck:

  • Chico and the Gypsies on June 29th
  • Zucchero – Chocabeck World Tour 2012 on July 5th
  • Saber Rabai on July 7th
  • Jessy Normal on July 13th
  • Mashrou’ Leila on July 15th

More information here: Baalbeck.org.lb

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