Beirut festival opens with concert celebrating Lebanon's resilience

Under the slogan “And Lebanon Remains,” Beirut celebrated the opening of its 11th Beirut Holidays festival, marking a moment of reunion and renewed vitality for the city. Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme headlined the opening concert, captivating an audience of thousands with a 90-minute performance that blended her own hits with timeless classics by Fairuz and Zaki Nassif. The event, held on the waterfront in the Antelias-Naccache area, underscored Beirut's ongoing efforts to recover and move forward.

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And Lebanon Remains.

Nehme, dressed in white, opened the concert with Charbel Rouhana's "Ahwe," expressing her deep longing to reconnect with her Lebanese audience after a significant absence. This was followed by a rendition of "Li Beirut," during which a spectacular drone display illuminated the night sky. Drones formed a map of Lebanon, shifted with the lyrics, and created symbolic images of embraces, surprising the crowd and prompting widespread recording on mobile phones. The visual spectacle added a powerful layer to the performance, enhancing the sense of shared emotion and national pride.

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Ahwe

The concert continued with Nehme performing "Habibati" (Beirut), a song conveying a message of love and hope for the capital. She expressed her delight at being back with her audience and thanked those who traveled to attend. Despite the warm weather, the crowd's enthusiasm remained high, with attendees clapping, waving, and singing along, reflecting a mutual sense of connection between the performer and the public. The program featured a diverse range of musical styles, including French chanson and classical Arabic music, and included a surprise duet with Algerian artist Amine of Babylone on his song "Zina."

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Li Beirut

A tribute to the late Zaki Nassif followed, with images of the renowned composer filling the giant screens as Nehme performed two of his songs, "Naqqili Zahra" and "Ishtaqna Ktir Ya Habayeb." This segment evoked a blend of nostalgia and joy, resonating deeply with a generation whose memories are intertwined with Nassif's music. The festival's opening night, through its music and visual artistry, aimed to project a message of resilience and continuity, reinforcing the idea that Lebanon endures despite its challenges.

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Habibati (Beirut)