In the context of the closing concerts of the National Philharmonic Orchestra season, which pauses during the summer vacation and resumes its activities in September, the National Conservatory, under the invitation of its president Hiba Kawayes, hosted two symphonic concerts conducted by Maestro Lebanon Baalbaki. One concert took place at the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut, attended by political, diplomatic, cultural, and media figures. The program featured pieces by major global composers: Verdi, Prokofiev, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Shostakovich. Baalbaki excelled in leading the orchestra, which, as usual, dazzled the audience with its craftsmanship and competent performance of the enchanting compositions, navigating through different musical styles with an elegant and lavish precision, guided by the conductor's baton.
Under the title "Glimmers of Tripoli, the Summer Symphonic Evening," the second concert was dedicated to Tripoli, the "Capital of Arab Culture." It was held at St. Maroun Church in Tripoli, featuring the same musical program conducted by Baalbaki, under the auspices of Minister of Culture Judge Mohamed Wissam Al-Mortada, and attended by Monsignor Antoine Mikhaeil, the Public Prosecutor of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli and representative of Bishop Youssef Soueif, the archbishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli, along with MP Adib Abdul Massih, Deputy President of the Conservatory Amina Berri, and other political, cultural, religious, and media figures.
Monsignor Nabeih Maouad welcomed the guests, delivering a speech on behalf of Bishop Soueif, who was outside Lebanon, saying: "With hearts that pulse and overflow with love and respect, we welcome you to this philharmonic evening at St. Maroun Church, on the occasion of declaring 'Tripoli the Capital of Arab Culture 2024'. Tripoli certainly is a capital of culture, and it has a close and strong relationship with St. Maroun Church, representing openness to others and coexistence. The church has hosted a series of seminars and lectures that welcomed a plethora of thinkers, scientists, cultural figures, politicians, and artists, with reputable figures from Lebanon having lectured at its theater, including the late President Charles Helou, the late Dr. Charles Hayek, Imam Musa Sadr, and others. Its doors are always open to all who love culture, art, and music."
The President of the Conservatory, Dr. Hiba Kawayes, remarked: "This special moment today carries a lot of emotion because we are in the presence of an ancient city like Tripoli. This concert holds great symbolism because it is dedicated to the Capital of Arab Culture, and it has been tirelessly worked on by Minister of Culture Mohamed Wissam Al-Mortada to be more special than usual. And because we are also in St. Maroun Church, which represents for this city the values of coexistence, love, and openness. We hope that this concert is a small beginning before we start our grand festival for Tripoli, the Capital of Arab Culture, a timeless capital, as old as history itself. We will try to navigate the paths of its history from its fortress to its khans, port, ancient alleys, islands, and fishing boats, in an attempt from us at the National Conservatory, under the patronage of the Minister of Culture, to cover all the historical landmarks and features of this city, the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean, so that we might illuminate the great historical heritage through music and the integration of the arts, starting with special concerts in September. We wished to conclude the season of the National Orchestra in Tripoli and St. Maroun Church."
The Minister of Culture stated: "This event is not a spontaneous occurrence; it is an intended event that resonates with the reality of Tripoli's openness and coexistence. We want to tell the world that even in these difficult times we are currently living in, from the far north to the south where people fear the expansion of war, war has many faces, and your brothers in the south are resilient. However, war has many faces, and the ugliest types of wars are those waged against our country. Tripoli's greatness requires that it shake off this dust and showcase its true and splendid image, for it is the most committed to coexistence in Lebanon. Tripoli is not a Christmas tree that has burned; it is an open church for believers, bustling with prayer, faith, and melodies, gathering everyone under its sturdy dome, rich in heritage, proclaiming that Lebanon is resilient and its ornament is coexistence, specifically from Tripoli."
A large attendance filled St. Maroun Church in Tripoli, accompanied by the interactive and harmonious participation of the musicians from the Philharmonic Orchestra, who created an inspiring atmosphere of elegance and peace through their strings and instruments.
