Tag Archives | summer

The Ultimate Guide to 2015 Summer Festivals in Lebanon

By Rami on June 19, 2015 in Lebanon

Snow-Patrol-at-Byblos-Festival-05

The good people at Lebtivity have the full program for nearly each and every festival going around the country this summer. So I thought it would be nice to compile them all in one post to help both tourists and locals better know about them and pick the concerts and events they would like to attend. Clicking on each event will lead you to its respective program on Lebtivity.com.

Byblos Festival

The International Festival has been held annually since 2003, in July. It takes place by the seaside in the historic quarter, in front of the castle built by Crusaders in the 12th century.

Baalbeck International Festival

The festivals date back to the mid 20th century with the first organizing activities being held in 1955. After one year, presiden Chamoun named it the Baalbeck International Festival, which became a governmental institution whose goal was to promote tourism and Lebanese culture.

Beiteddine Art Festival

The Beiteddine Festival was launched amidst war and destruction in the middle of the 80’s. It came as an act of faith in Lebanon’s cultural specificity and its power of creativity and artistic freedom. It was a call for normality in the middle of the chaos and madness of the civil war. The festival takes place in the large 200-year old Beiteddine Palace.

Jounieh International Festival

Jounieh International Festival was launched in 2011 is now famous for the opening ceremony marked by the synchronized fireworks show along the bay of Jounieh. The festival takes place at Fouad Chehab stadium.

Zouk International Festival

Zouk International Festival was launched in 2010 and attracts guests from all over the country and abroad. Zouk Mikael is 10 minutes away from Beirut, perched on a hill of Kesrouwan overlooking the Mediterranean. Its roman styled amphitheatre with a capacity of 2500, built for major events, hosts the festival.

Batroun International Festival

The festival had a shy and amateur debut in the early 90’s until it acquired international standards and earned its place among international cultural festivals. In 2009, the Batroun International Festival was born and started hosting leading local and international artist from all over the world.

Ehdeniyat – Ehden International Festival

Ehdeniyat, which started in 2004, flourished from a local and national event to an International festival of Music and Art. But above all this, Ehdeniyat became an experience of glamour, culture and tradition; “An Experience that Never Ends”.

Beirut Holidays

Beirut Holidays is a series of concerts and shows in the heart of Beirut Souks. Launched in 2012, the festival brings together diverse musical performances and talents, local artists and international performers, from East and West mixing varying genres and tastes.

Cedars International Festival

After almost half a century, the Cedars International Festival will return this summer to Bsharri. The northern town will host several of Lebanon’s top artists as part of an effort to revive tourism in the district. The four-night festival will feature a wide range of musical and artistic performances.

Dbayeh Festival

An enchanting event taking place in Dbayeh this summer. An initiative by Tajammo Ahel Al Mahabba for the fifth consecutive year to raise the voice of hope and peace in Lebanon.

Moreover, the below smaller festivals will also be happening.

Pierre and Friends among the world’s most awesome beach bars

By Rami on August 16, 2013 in Lebanon

All women stalk listed Pierre and Friends, which is one of the main attractions in Batroun, as one of the most awesome beach bars in the world.

You know those times when you just want simplicity, no frills, just great drinks and great company in a great setting? Well, then it’s time for Pierre and Friends, one of the most unassuming beach bars in the world. It’s not flashy and it doesn’t rock with the latest tunes, nor do the beautiful and good gather here. But Pierre and Friends occupies a darling little strip of pebbly beach between Byblos and Batroun (closer to Batroun than Byblos). There’s no pretension here, so grab your favorite tipple and settle down to enjoy the company and the endless views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

You can check the full list here.

via @LeSoupi

Awesome video of Jounieh International Festival Opening Show

By Rami on June 22, 2013 in Events

I just found this cool video by Rodrigue Zahr of the synchronized firework show and the boat gathering that marked the opening of Jounieh International Festival last night. For more info about the festival program, make sure to check this website.

You can check another video posted by Najib here.

Kitesurfing in Batroun

By Rami on September 9, 2012 in Lebanon

Looks pretty cool! It isn’t clear though if there’s some kind of a kitesurfing school there in Batroun or these were just a bunch of pro kitesurfers having fun.

Almaza Light – Summer Season 2

By Rami on September 4, 2012 in Lebanon

Chez Maguy Batroun

By Rami on June 8, 2012 in Reviews

I decided to try Chez Maguy restaurant in Batroun after reading about it on several website claiming it serves some of the best sea food in the region.

The place is quite nice, it’s actually a small house (or a shack maybe) that was turned into a restaurant having a cool view over the sea since it’s located right on the coast.

During winter, I was told Maguy usually serves guests in her dining room, while in summer season you get to sit on the beautiful terrace by sea, but be aware of the mosquitoes when you’re outside, as they can really eat you alive!

Unfortunately the food was not as good as the restaurant’s setting. We were 4 people and among the order we made was 1Kg of mallifa, and below is the plate that we got, which is barely enough for one person! Anway, overall the food tasted quite average compared to other seafood restaurants, unlike what some articles on the internet claim.

We had another kilogram of fish with a couple of appetizers and drinks and our bill came to $120.

I don’t know how to provide you with direction to the place, but if you’re planning to go there just ask about Chez Maguy when you reach Batroun as everyone there knows where she’s located!

P.S: I know the review is missing a photo of Maguy, which is plain stupid from me!

Funny headline of the day

By Rami on June 3, 2012 in Funny

It looks like some people are quite happy about the turbulent situation in Lebanon and the warnings that were issued by several Arab countries regarding visiting the country.

According to The National, some GCC wives are satisfied that their husbands won’t be able to visit Lebanon this year and peek at the beautiful women here!

“This is one of the best summers” in a long time, one of my Emirati friends told me recently. She, like many Arab women, would get annoyed at what she called “buddy bonding” – guys-only trips to places like Lebanon. “My husband will not be going with his male friends to Lebanon and I feel so happy about it.”

The husband was quick to reply: “Well, if you want mountains, Lebanon has them. If you want beach, Lebanon has it. And it doesn’t hurt that wherever you look, you see beautiful women. A bonus for the eyes.”

In retaliation, the wife said she will be heading to Sweden this summer. Source

And that would of course mean one thing, more “beautiful women” for us who live in Lebanon!

The article was originally shared by Jad Aoun, and the photo is via YaLibnan.com

Lebtivity: The social calendar for events in Lebanon

By Rami on May 22, 2012 in Lebanon

I found about Lebtivity through a tweet by @CarlaEid. The website is a social calendar for events around Lebanon with a very user friendly interface allowing to search for events by date and category, and it already have dozens of events for you to plan the summer season!

In addition, Lebtivity helps events organizers promote and manage their events through easy to use tools and for free. Make sure to check it out here.