Since 1956, the date of creation of the Baalbeck International Festival, under the aegis of President Camille Chamoun, the mission of our Festival has been to welcome artists of great talent, to diffuse the Lebanese cultural force in one of the world's most unique sites: the temples of Baalbeck.
It happens that sometimes, we have to adapt to regional difficulties. This was the case in December 2006, when we had to reprogram in Beirut Fayrouz's show that had been scheduled for that summer, and which had to be cancelled.
This year, we announced a program that does us proud. Unfortunately, the soprano Renee Fleming cancelled her concert of the 30th of June, and Assi El Hallani chose to postpone his show from this year to 2014, in agreement with the Committee, in the citadel of Baalbeck. In view of the current situation, and after having consulted the authorities, we have decided that the "show must go on" nevertheless, and that we would relocate the remaining scheduled events in our 2013 program.
Hence the artists Marianne Faithfull, Eliane Elias, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Fadia Tom El-Hage, Marcel Khalifé, and those that accompany them will make their way to Greater Beirut, to give value to the cultural message of the Baalbeck International Festival, "beyond the walls". In a site immersed in history, a 19th Century silk factory, La Magnanerie of Jdeide el Metn will host for the first time a festival. We chose this specific place because it is relatively unknown to the public, and because it is on the outskirts of the capital, and accessible from all regions.
The dates of the shows remain unchanged: Marianne Faithfull, a world pop icon, on Saturday, August 17th, Eliane Elias, singer and jazz pianist, Friday, August 23rd, Marcel Khalifé and his oud, on Saturday, August 24th, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's dance show, on Friday, August 30th, with the participation of Fadia Tomb el Hage.
We thank all the people who accompany us and who believe in life, and particularly our public which is the heart of the festival's success.
And next year, we will all meet again in Baalbeck!
"In times of crisis, art and artists are the only ones that can smoother life"
The Baalbeck International Festival Committee
