We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 1st edition of the “Maarad Music Festival”. The festival will take place on Friday, 03 September 2022 at the emblematic Rachid Karami International Fair in Tripoli – Lebanon, built in the 1960s by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Having Tripoli selected as the Arab Capital of Culture for the year 2024 represents an opportunity to set in motion a collective cultural and artistic renaissance for the city of Tripoli, and to be part of a creative movement promoting local talents, advocating for the decentralization of cultural productions, and making Art and Culture accessible to all.
Building on this momentum, Rumman is piloting this exciting, new, and independent music festival in collaboration with Beirut and Beyond to showcase homegrown musical talents, feature international artists, and create a platform for cultural and civic actors to meet, learn, and inspire each other while discovering a new city and exploring its hidden gems.
Why the Rachid Karami International Fair?
Rachid Karami International Fair – RKIF was designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in 1962, as a permanent fairground and exhibition center in Tripoli. It incorporates over 15 structures, including exhibition spaces, pavilions, theaters, museums, and residences. However, the Civil War and, later, foreign military control, left the fairground incomplete and abandoned for years.
Recently, In 2018, thanks to rousing local efforts to protect and revitalize the complex, the RKIF was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. Nevertheless, the fairground requires immediate maintenance and some structural repairs to preserve its integrity. By implementing the festival, we will not only be contributing to enriching the artistic and cultural scene in Tripoli but also contributing to the efforts of protecting and revitalizing the complex in the hope of turning it into a social and cultural catalyst for the city of Tripoli.
Get the opportunity to visit the fair with a specialized tour guide from 4PM to 5PM on Saturday (450K LL per person) by registering with this link
Line-up
The Blue Pulpit (LB)
Between Blues and Psychedelic rock, originally from Tripoli and North Lebanon, The Blue Pulpit will present original tracks as an opening act of MMF.
@bluepulpit
Robin Antunes and Benjamin Garson (FR) + guests
Coming from France, Robin and Benjamin will present the end of their project at Villa Al Qamar, a 3 weeks art residency which took place in Rumman this year. Robin and Benjamin are both jazz musicians, after a few years in the National Jazz Orchestra, they continued their path together as a duo for this experience in Lebanon.
https://robinantunes.bandcamp.com/album/morn
Monte Carlo (LB)
Monte Carlo is a mixed band between Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian musicians and singers, gathered in Beirut. They play our original songs, improvisational, folk and traditional music. Monte Carlo has built a solid name in the Beiruti scene, particularly by presenting regular shows in Metro Al Madina.
Tarabeat (LB)
Tarabeat is an ensemble – or takhet – of musicians that draws heavily from the traditions of classical Middle Eastern music. Relying extensively on Arabic scales – maqams – and rhythms for their compositions, the group seeks to build off of a long and rich history of regional Tarab music. Tarabeat achieves its unique sound by supplementing an otherwise traditional instrumentation of Oud, Nay, Qanoun, Santour, Violin, Tar, and Riq with sequencers, digital synthesizers, and bass guitars. The result is an energetic blend of dance music, heavily inspired by Tarab, Sufi, and other regional folk music.
https://www.facebook.com/TaraBeatProject
@tarabeat_project
DJ sets by AHM / Mo_shka / Al_skan_dar (LB)
Usual suspects, Dj AHM / Mo_shka and al_skan_dar will throw their best tracks presenting sets going from electro dabke to afro house / deephouse.
#DJAHM
@al_skan_dar
This event is FREE and is open to the public.
Transportation from Beirut
MMF has arranged a shuttle system from Beirut to Tripoli, and back at the end of the event (midnight). Buses will depart from Mar Mikhail, facing the Electricité du Liban at 3.45PM.
To book your ticket, please SMS / whatsapp the following number +961 76 909 682.
Round Trip ticket is 120.000 LL/person
This event would not have come into realization without the contribution of
Partners
Warche 13
Institut Français de Tripoli
Villa Al Qamar
Rashid Karami International Fair
Supporters
Ambassade de France au Liban
Institut Français du Liban
The Norwegian Embassy in Beirut
Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy)
Arab Fund for Art and Culture (AFAC)
The International University Music Festival of Belfort (FIMU)
The Municipality of Belfort
Tripulley
Municipality of Tripoli
Sponsors
Ruwwad Al Tanmiya
Tripoli Entrepreneurs Club
SHIFT
Azm Cultural Center
Mira’s Guided Tours