Similar to other Lebanese festivals, the Byblos International Festival took a two-year hiatus due to the ongoing crises including the pandemic and the economic collapse.
In an exceptional event, the organizing committee of the Byblos International Festival decided to make an artistic comeback with one event that was held on July 26, at the Byblos’ historical Monastery of Saint John Marcus, and livestreamed on Télé Liban, the Lebanese public television network.
The evening was performed by harpist Cécile Bourg, pianist Boutros Basbous, violinist Naji Aoun, cellist Leila Kanj, bassist Alain Aoun, and guitarist Simon Basbous.
It was attended by tourism minister Walid Nassar who launched a special campaign to encourage tourists to visit Lebanon, Eparch Michel Aoun of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Byblos, MP Ziad Hawat, mayor of Byblos, ambassadors, diplomats, members of the Byblos International Festival Committee, director of Télé Liban, and a crowd of music fans.
Rafael Sfeir, head of Byblos International Festival, welcomed the audience and announced that another evening could be organized based on the audience’s request.
A brochure telling the history of the Monastery of Saint John Marcus was distributed during the evening.
