The Municipality of Ajaltoun organized an artistic and cultural evening titled “Where Are We Now?”, which revived the spirit of Baalbek.
The event celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Baalbek International Festivals, which took place between 1956 and 2026.
The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Dr. Ghassan Salameh, represented by the Ministry’s Director General, Dr. Ali al-Samad.
The “Wina Nai” evening in Ajaltoun was attended by political, diplomatic, cultural, and artistic figures,
It was also attended by mayors and representatives of Lebanese festival organizations.
The celebration began with the Lebanese national anthem.
Then, the mayor of Ajaltoun, Elias Youssef Sfeir, welcomed the attendees.
He emphasized the importance of the initiative in honoring the history of the Baalbek Festivals and their pioneering cultural role.
In turn, Nayla de Freij, Chair of the Baalbek International Festivals Committee, thanked the Ajaltoun Municipality and the event’s organizers.
She noted that the gathering reaffirms the continuity of Baalbek’s mission despite the circumstances and challenges.
Furthermore, Ali al-Samad, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Culture, emphasized the role of culture in uniting the Lebanese people and safeguarding national identity.
The evening featured a musical performance conducted by Maestro Joe Daou, with the participation of the Notre Dame de Louaize University Choir, Fadia Tanb al-Hajj, and Samir Nasr al-Din.
Actor Noah Muqaddam also portrayed the French poet Jean Cocteau in a dramatic adaptation written by Hassan Makhzoum.
The evening concluded with performances of the Baalbek Dabke, embodying a commitment to heritage and the spirit of unity.
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