Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts

Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts

February and March

The Al Bustan International Festival of Beirut, Lebanon, annually presents a program of music dance, marionettes, and theater, usually centered on a specific theme. Past events have been devoted to the culture of a particular country or city, or to a special subject.
The festival was founded in 1994 to help revive Lebanon's cultural life after 17 years of war. While chamber music dominates the program, the festival also includes works of opera, orchestral music, and choral music. Each year, the festival offers more than 30 performances over the five-week festival period in February and March. During the festival, participating artists offer master classes and workshops at the National Conservatoire in Beirut and other institutions throughout Lebanon. A visual arts exhibition accompanies every festival, and it has commissioned musical works by such contemporary composers as John Taverner.

CONTACTS:
Al Bustan Festival
Mail Box 343
56 Gloucester Rd.
London SW7 4UB UK
www.albustanfestival.com
Lebanon Embassy
Washington, DC 20008
202-939-6300; fax: 202-939-6324
lebanonembassyus.org