The eighth edition of Beirut Chants Festival was launched on Saturday October 31 in a press conference at the Beirut Yacht Club - downtown, with the participation of HE Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon, MP Bahia Hariri representing the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, and a number of partners and artists.
Mr. Pharaon renewed his "support for Beirut Chants, emphasizing on its touristic and cultural prominence and its role as a main attraction for Beirut during the holiday season."
MP Hariri said that "the festival celebrates Christmas values and it reflects the spirit of national unity where this year Christmas day coincides with Prophet Muhammad's birthday".
The festival will be held between December 1st and 23rd, with 28 concerts that celebrate Christmas and the holidays' season. Throughout the years, the open doors festival has become a tradition that allows a large audience to enjoy music and Christmas spirit in Beirut.
The festival's founder Micheline Abi Samra said that "this year Beirut will chant to confirm that Lebanese empower peace, love and moderation, and despite all conflicts around us, the warmth of faith will be stronger". "Beirut chants to say no to violence, to radicalism and fanaticism", she added.
Beirut Chants 2015 will host renowned pianist Julien Libeer and cellist Boris Andrianov accompanied by the Tchaikovsky competition first prize winner Alexander Ghindin, in addition to Concilium Musicum Wien (Chamber Orchestra from Vienna).
The opening night on December first will feature the Messa di Gloria of Giacomo Puccini after its debut in Carnegie Hall in May 2015. Throughout December, many performances will take place in the churches of Beirut such as Ensemble Asil, the Avanesyan Trio, and a number of local choirs and artists in addition to children's performances.
The festival's artistic director Father Toufic Maatouk said "the festival is considered as one of the most foreseen festivals in the city, and it has become a platform for international and local choirs and musicians. He added "Beirut Chants is an initiative that lays unity among people which have supported and embraced the festival; we are tremendously excited to start the 8th edition"
For more info:
Beirutchants.com
Facebook.com/beirutchants
Twitter.com/beirutchants
Youtube.com/beirutchants
Instagram.com/beirutchants
