The 2008 Janana spring festival was organized by the Child Friendly Library Network, with Al-JANA coordinating the effort, in an endeavor to promote solidarity towards the neediest and the most marginalized communities of Lebanon, regardless of their sectarian background. We focused on integrating our local trainers into performances, along with professionals from abroad, and we deeply encouraged teamwork in every step of the program, from administrative coordination to faces painting. Cooperation between Lebanese and Palestinian NGOs proved strong. The festival was once again a great occasion for many educators and artists from Lebanese, Palestinian, and European background to meet and jointly organize creative activities for the children of Lebanon.Everybody enjoyed the festival’s activities as we traveled to communities all over Lebanon in our much-loved bus.
This week's activities promoted reading and active learning, through film screening, storytelling, puppets, art work & crafts, theatre, painting, music, creative writing and many other art fields. Al Jana produced and distributed a special program and promotion poster for this festival.
 In cooperation with Clowns Without Borders, a clown show was performed, including a variety of circus acts—from juggling, to slapstick comedy, to acrobatics. Lessons and concepts were incorporated in all the performances. For many of the youth attending the festival, it was the first time they had experienced a free-minded carnival atmosphere, and their amazement shone brightly on their smiling faces. The Janana Spring Festival succeeded in bringing together Palestinian and Lebanese NGOs, and the children they work with, in a creative outdoor activity in an effort to encourage inter-communal relationships.
We also produced a street theater play that held the attention and captured the imagination of our young audience. Each day ended with a joyful, freewheeling parade through the streets of the communities we sought to entertain.
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