Seven performances were held this year in different regions all over Lebanon involving around 3,600 children.
Beirut
Children from many of our partner programs around Beirut came to Sana’yeh, West Beirut, to enjoy the festival’s first day. It was held in a public park, and therefore many families came randomly and attended the performance. Around 600 children participated in Beirut.
Baalbek- Al Jaleel camp
We visited Baalbeck twice, and started in Al Jaleel Camp where we actually had two parades before and after the show. Upon arrival we were welcomed by a local marching band that led us through the winding streets. This first short procession through the camp was kind of a loudy invitation to the community to join our show in the yard of the local UNRWA school. Many residents were too curious to stay away. The children in Jaleel Camp were extremely curious and energetic, encouraging the performers. Around 400 children participated in Baalbeck- Al Jaleel.
Baalbeck – Ras Al Ein Park
Our second stop to Baalbeck was held in Ras Al Ein Park, near downtown. Families had gathered for picnics under the trees, while our performers were finally able to relax in the green grass during the technical set up. We met some of the children from our show in Al-Jaleel camp, yet most of the audience was from a different Baalbeck different community.
Tripoli – Al Badawi camp
The show in Al Badawi camp was warmly greeted by the people. The children of Baddawi and Bared appreciated the festive carnival that stormed their camp and brought back some colors and laughters into their lives. During the live music a whole troupe of young girls danced gracefully for the entire crowd. The parade then broke out in the narrow streets of the camp with its music gathering children and adults together. Some women spraid rice on our parade from their kitchen windows.
Tripoli – Al mina park
The show was held in Al Mina park, a nice breezy location inside Tripoli. The stage was surrounded by trees, and both performers and audience much appreciated the shadow. Some boys kept climbing the trees to reach a better spot, which unpleased the park maintenance man. Around 700 children participated, and many adults watched with great interest from outside the park, while the children were much less bashful. After the play, our parade took us beyond the gate of the park, across the streets and down the waterfront. A whole line of cars stopped to watch the scene, and some children even got out the cars to join in.
Tyre
The show was held in the public park of Tyre, facing the famous Tyre public beach. The children were really receptive to the music show and they gracefully sang along with the performers. The very special Tyre parad ran its way towards the sunny beach. The sight of the colorful festival under sunset added a special sense of charm to the fun. Around 650 children participated in Tyre.
Sidon
The Sidon show was held in the newly renovated central square of the Old City. Hundreds of chairs in front of the stage were full of local children, and many onlookers lingered or watched from their balconies. It was a very sunny and hot day. Luckily, the local leaders made sure that they all brought caps to shield their faces from sun, and AL-JANA distributed hundreds of bottles of water throughout the show.
The festival contrasted with normal life in the sleepy part of the city, but the local population was receptive to such a funny atmosphere. Around 65 children participated in Saida.
|
