Lebanon – आवारा मुसाफिर

Lebanon’s Baalbek festival back, despite economic collapse

July 18, 2022364 Views

Lebanon’s renowned Baalbek festival is back, held in front of a live audience for the first time since 2019, despite the country’s economic meltdown and the coronavirus pandemic. French pianist Simon Ghraichy performed in front of a full house on Sunday night in what organizers described as a night of hope for Lebanon’s revival. The annual festival in the ancient northeastern city of soaring Roman columns has long attracted celebrities from around the world. French Pianist Simon Ghraichy performs next to French-Iranian dancer Rana Gorgani during a concert in the ancient northeastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon, Sunday, July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) It had taken a major hit as a result of Lebanon’s ongoing, nearly 3-year economic crisis and the pandemic, which had forced org...

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Lebanon’s music festivals make modest comeback after crisis

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

July 11, 2022724 Views

Lebanon's international music festivals kicked off at the weekend with a performance in the Roman ruins of Baalbek, the first performance there since the country's economic crisis. Under the title of "Baalbek Nights Return," conductor Lubnan Baalbaki – whose first name means "Lebanon" and whose last name means "from Baalbek" - led the orchestra on Friday night alongside his sister, singer Soumaya. Lebanese singer Soumaya Baalbaki and conductor Lubnan Baalbaki perform at the Roman temple of Bacchus, during the opening of Baalbeck International Festival, in Baalbeck, Lebanon July 8, 2022. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah The country once held several music festivals every summer, drawing international acts every weekend. This year, the modest reopenings feature almost exclusively Lebanese pe...

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Skiing in Lebanon getting too steep for most

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

February 21, 2022692 Views

Skiing in Lebanon has long been a luxury for the well-off, but the eastern Mediterranean country's financial meltdown has thrown most people into poverty and made taking to the slopes even more exclusive. The Lebanese pound has lost more than 90% of its value since 2019. "Skiing is a hobby for the dollar class, not for us," said Mohammad Atwi on a recent visit to the mountains. "We came here to sit and have shisha. The most we spend is 200,000 pounds ($10)." A man holds a child's hand as he walks through snow with ski equipment at a ski resort in Kfardebian, Lebanon, February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah Prices for ski passes at the Mzaar ski resort, which boasts panoramic views over the Mediterranean, are listed in dollars in a country where the vast majority earn in poun...