São Paulo – Starting on Friday (24), the people of Lebanon will learn a little about Brazilian classical music. That is as Brazilians are heading to Beirut to participate in the Al Bustan festival, dedicated to classical music since 1994, including opera, orchestras, choirs, as well as dance and theatre.
The festival began on Tuesday (21) and ends on March 25th. This year, the theme is "Music from Latin America". "Each year we choose a region, city or country to celebrate,” said Myrna Bustani, president of the festival. "We try to choose regions that have musical tradition,” she said.
The first Brazilian presentation will take place on Friday, with maestro Ligia Amadio conducting the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. On Saturday (25), it is the turn of pianist Cristina Ortiz. During the festival, there will also be presentations by pianists José Feghali and Linda Bustani; do cellist Antônio Menesses and by guitarist brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad.
"This is not the first time we have Brazilians at the festival. In 2006, Brazilian ambassador José Bustani and his sister Linda Bustani played the piano,” recalls Myrna. At the time, José Maurício Bustani was the ambassador of Brazil to Great Britain.
Al Bustan festival should also bring musicians from Argentina, Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Georgia and Lebanon. "We want to introduce the music of Latin America to the Lebanese community,” said Myrna. In 2011, the theme was the music of the countries cut by the Danube, the second longest river in Europe, which crosses Germany and Romania.
Apart from music presentations, the festival also includes workshops on Brazilian dance, where those participating may learn how to dance Samba and play percussion instruments, and two photography exhibits. "Mahjar, the Lebanese immigration to Latin America" brings ancient pictures in the collection of Roberto Khatlab, director of the Centre for Latin American Culture and Studies at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. Exhibition "Amazônia", in turn, shows pictures by Lebanese photographer Jacques Menassa, who lived in Manaus.
"There is much interest of the Lebanese people in all that is related to Brazil. They see Brazil as their second country as there are many Lebanese there. The food, music, culture, football and all that refers to Brazil attracts the Lebanese,” finished off the president of Al Bustan.
The full programme may be viewed at
http://www.albustanfestival.com/festival/nextfest.htm.
*Translated by Mark Ament
