On Tuesday evening, the Roman Amphitheater in Zouk Mikael hosted the inaugural edition of the Beirut International Opera Festival and Competition, attended by a crowd of official, cultural, artistic, and social figures, alongside a large audience that gathered to witness the birth of a new operatic event in Lebanon.
Reflecting on the impressions formed during her visit to Lebanon, the participating artist said she witnessed first-hand the resilience of the Lebanese people and their ability to persevere despite the challenges and difficult circumstances the country has endured.
For her, the participation was not limited to presenting an opera concert, but also represented a human encounter with an audience that continues to hold on to art and culture, giving them a place in their lives even during the toughest times.
Afara reminisced in his speech to Annahar about his long-held dream of having an international opera festival in Lebanon that brings together global artists and local talents.
He pointed out that turning this vision into reality was not easy, given the difficulties and challenges faced by the project, but his belief in its importance remained stronger than them. He emphasized that “opera is not a luxury for Lebanon,” but a global art that transcends borders and cultures, befitting the country’s history and artistic stature.
Thus, the evening transformed for Afara from a long-awaited idea into a project brought to life on the stage of the Roman Amphitheater, in front of a wide Lebanese audience.
From the inaugural evening of the Beirut International Opera Festival. (Festival's Press Office)
In an interview with Annahar, Minister of Tourism Laura Al-Khazen Lahoud expressed her delight at the evening, affirming the importance of initiatives that highlight the beautiful cultural and artistic face of Lebanon, strengthen its presence as a destination for cultural tourism, and support the hosting of international artists.
MP Halima Kaakour viewed the scene as representing the true face of Lebanon: a Lebanon of art, beauty, and culture, away from divisions and inciting speeches of discord. She asserted that voices pushing toward division do not represent the majority of Lebanese, whereas evenings like this reflect the image that deserves to be presented about the country.
The project does not end with the opening concert, as the first edition of the Beirut International Opera Competition is set to be held in Spring 2027, with the jury, awards, and full participation guidelines to be announced later.
The competition aims to discover emerging opera voices and support their professional development, with a grand prize awarded by an international jury and a special award for the best Lebanese contestant, alongside opportunities to participate in concerts, training sessions, and mentorship programs.
Thus, the inaugural evening of the Beirut International Opera Festival represented the first step in a cultural project that seeks to bring opera closer to the Lebanese audience, support emerging and established artistic talents, enhance international artistic exchange, and re-establish Lebanon on the regional and international cultural map.
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