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Baalbek signals Lebanon revival Baalbek signals Lebanon revival
(about 1 hour later)
By Bethany Bell BBC News, Baalbek Mexico's Astrid Hadad is one of the international stars topping the bill For the first time in two years, there is music among the soaring columns of one of the Middle East's best-preserved Roman sites.By Bethany Bell BBC News, Baalbek Mexico's Astrid Hadad is one of the international stars topping the bill For the first time in two years, there is music among the soaring columns of one of the Middle East's best-preserved Roman sites.
The Baalbek International Festival, which first started in the 1950s and reopened after the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war, is one of Lebanon's cultural highlights.The Baalbek International Festival, which first started in the 1950s and reopened after the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war, is one of Lebanon's cultural highlights.
But in 2006, the festival was cancelled as war broke out between Israeli and the Shia Muslim movement Hezbollah.But in 2006, the festival was cancelled as war broke out between Israeli and the Shia Muslim movement Hezbollah.
Conflict in the north stopped the show last summer and the political crisis earlier this year, which brought Lebanon close to civil war, made many fear that the event would be halted again.Conflict in the north stopped the show last summer and the political crisis earlier this year, which brought Lebanon close to civil war, made many fear that the event would be halted again.
But a power-sharing deal pulled Lebanon - and the festival - back from the brink.But a power-sharing deal pulled Lebanon - and the festival - back from the brink.
Joseph Chemali, the vice president of the festival, says the decision to go ahead was taken at the last minute.Joseph Chemali, the vice president of the festival, says the decision to go ahead was taken at the last minute.
"We had very good signs, which was the presidential election on 21 May and then the nomination of the prime minister."We had very good signs, which was the presidential election on 21 May and then the nomination of the prime minister.
"And we said to ourselves, we are going to make the Baalbek festival so that everybody knows that Lebanon is all right, because once the festival of Baalbek goes on this means we are in good shape.""And we said to ourselves, we are going to make the Baalbek festival so that everybody knows that Lebanon is all right, because once the festival of Baalbek goes on this means we are in good shape."
Unbeatable settingUnbeatable setting
Hezbollah makes its presence felt in what is one of the group's main centresThe event has a glittering history. In its heyday in the 1960s and 70s, the Baalbek festival attracted visitors from around the world. Stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Herbert von Karajan and the Lebanese singer Fairuz performed here.Hezbollah makes its presence felt in what is one of the group's main centresThe event has a glittering history. In its heyday in the 1960s and 70s, the Baalbek festival attracted visitors from around the world. Stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Herbert von Karajan and the Lebanese singer Fairuz performed here.
This year's line-up is less stellar, but it is still an interesting mix of performers, including the Mexican singer Astrid Hadad, the Algerian diva Warda al-Jazayria and the Lebanese pianist Abdel Rahman al-Bacha.This year's line-up is less stellar, but it is still an interesting mix of performers, including the Mexican singer Astrid Hadad, the Algerian diva Warda al-Jazayria and the Lebanese pianist Abdel Rahman al-Bacha.
But money and stability are needed to persuade artists to come to Lebanon. Mr Chemali says these days the country faces stiff competition from wealthy Gulf states, which have large budgets for entertainment.But money and stability are needed to persuade artists to come to Lebanon. Mr Chemali says these days the country faces stiff competition from wealthy Gulf states, which have large budgets for entertainment.
"We are facing financial competition from the Gulf for the pop artists. The pop artists are asking really terrible amounts of money, but nobody could give them the setting that the Baalbek festival provides.""We are facing financial competition from the Gulf for the pop artists. The pop artists are asking really terrible amounts of money, but nobody could give them the setting that the Baalbek festival provides."
But politics are never very far away in Baalbek, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. The group has even set up its own exhibit commemorating the 2006 war, just outside the temple ruins.But politics are never very far away in Baalbek, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. The group has even set up its own exhibit commemorating the 2006 war, just outside the temple ruins.
Local Hezbollah officials are not particularly enthusiastic about the festival; the group's cultural output tends to consist of militaristic anthems celebrating the resistance against Israel rather than piano recitals or classical opera.Local Hezbollah officials are not particularly enthusiastic about the festival; the group's cultural output tends to consist of militaristic anthems celebrating the resistance against Israel rather than piano recitals or classical opera.
Symbol of lifeSymbol of life
It was very moving to come back here. It means optimism for Lebanon Festival goer Hala But as Hezbollah MP Jamal Takish concedes, the concerts do put Baalbek on the map.It was very moving to come back here. It means optimism for Lebanon Festival goer Hala But as Hezbollah MP Jamal Takish concedes, the concerts do put Baalbek on the map.
"The very least we can benefit from these festivals is to see the name of Baalbek in the media," he said."The very least we can benefit from these festivals is to see the name of Baalbek in the media," he said.
For the audiences, the festival is a sign of hope.For the audiences, the festival is a sign of hope.
Elie, who came from Beirut to see the Astrid Hadad concert, said he was slightly disappointed in the overall programme, but was very pleased to be at the festival nevertheless.Elie, who came from Beirut to see the Astrid Hadad concert, said he was slightly disappointed in the overall programme, but was very pleased to be at the festival nevertheless.
"For us, Baalbek is a symbol of culture, of history. The programme was not quite what we were expecting, because we used to come here to see Fairuz and the big celebrities."For us, Baalbek is a symbol of culture, of history. The programme was not quite what we were expecting, because we used to come here to see Fairuz and the big celebrities.
"But the festival is a symbol of life and that is why we are happy to be here now. It gives us hope to deal with the problems in Lebanon.""But the festival is a symbol of life and that is why we are happy to be here now. It gives us hope to deal with the problems in Lebanon."
Another concert goer, Hala, said it meant a lot to be back in Baalbek.Another concert goer, Hala, said it meant a lot to be back in Baalbek.
"After a couple of years of having no Baalbek festival, it was very moving to come back here. It means optimism for Lebanon and the cultural side of Lebanon and the Arab World.""After a couple of years of having no Baalbek festival, it was very moving to come back here. It means optimism for Lebanon and the cultural side of Lebanon and the Arab World."