This Is Not Lebanon

Within a short time Lebanon has suffered a quadruple disaster: the revolution grinding to a halt in October 2019, the hyperinflation caused by the Lebanese Lira going into freefall on the cur-rency markets, the explosion in Beirut harbour in the summer of 2020 and lastly the pandemic.

‘This Is Not Lebanon’ gives artists a platform to contradict simplistic reporting on the situation in Lebanon and to develop nuanced perspectives on the country. The three-week festival from 26 August to 12 September 2021 in Frankfurt will primarily present leading younger figures in the fields of performance, visual arts, choreography and music.

The Ensemble Modern has devised a music programme for the festival in several parts, providing commissions for both compositions and productions. One part is a collaboration with the composer Saed Haddad – another is a commission from the Lebanese composer and visual artist Zad Moultaka. Other Ensemble Modern co-operations are being developed with the pianist, composer and installation artist Cynthia Zaven and with the sound designer and film-maker Nour Sokhon. In addition, a collaboration is also planned between the jazz pianist Florian Weber with Rabih Lahoud, singer with the successful jazz band Masaa.

Information and Tickets: www.mousonturm.de/festivals/this-is-not-lebanon/