-----The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) is proud to present the third edition of the annual series, showcasing the art and culture of Lebanon throughout the month of May. The month-long, multi-disciplinary series will once again celebrate transculturalism in the twenty-first century and exploring the crossroads of culture and identity.
-----Lebanon’s central location where East meets West on the Mediterranean’s eastern shore has made it a place where different beliefs and influences converge to shape a rich cultural voice. As with West Africa in 2008 and then Haiti in 2009, the latest edition of will showcase outstanding Lebanese music, cinema, literature, architecture, and visual arts that have come to inspire audiences and artists worldwide. Highlighting acclaimed artists working in both Lebanon and the U.S., this unique series will explore the diverse landscape of Lebanese art through performances, talks, screenings, and gallery exhibits.-----Lebanon’s rich heritage has long captivated imaginations around the world, and the extraordinary Lebanese diaspora has broadened the cultural landscape and enriched global discourse. The powerful interplay between the memory of homeland and life in new societies has shaped the work of important contemporary Lebanese artists. will present preeminent artistic voices expressing their cultural identity, including Wajdi Mouawad, Bernard Khoury, Nabil Nahas, and Elias Khoury, among others.
List of Events( For complete information, please visit: http://fiaf.org/events/spring2010/2010-05-world-nomads-lebanon.shtml )1 MayOpening Concert: Bassam Saba Ensemble | 8pm | http://bit.ly/aXINndTo kick off , the acclaimed Bassam Saba Ensemble brings their unique sound—a mix of classical/folk Arabic music combined with classical western influences—to FIAF for an evening of performance and celebration.2 MayLiterature: Elias Khoury | 1pm | http://bit.ly/bEZw8gRenowned Lebanese author Elias Khoury will present and read selections from his newly published book .Literature: Rawi Hage | 3pm | http://bit.ly/9P4pp8Award-winning author, photographer, and visual artist Rawi Hage comes to FIAF to discuss his approach to writing and the ways in which his multicultural background has influenced his unique voice.Literature: Alexandre Najjar | 5pm | http://bit.ly/bCjCHsAward-winning Lebanese author Alexandre Najjar will discuss his multi-faceted career and read from some of his works.3 MayLiterature: Alexandre Najjar | 4:30pm | http://bit.ly/cPl5BKAlexandre Najjar returns to FIAF for an intimate discussion, in French, of his prolific career and writing process, discussing specifically his role as a writer investigating the historic past and present of Lebanese culture.6 MayArchitecture: Bernard Khoury | 7pm | http://bit.ly/aItkqnJoin us at FIAF for a lecture by Beirut-based architect Bernard Khoury. Khoury will present his built works in Beirut, as well as his conceptual projects. A dialogue will follow, pertaining to the philosophy behind his work, which seeks to “reflect elements of the national character” and respond to the landscape, as well as the cultural and economic climate of the city.13 MayArchitecture: Public Spaces - Memory, Boundary, Catastrophe | 7pm | http://bit.ly/aP9XPcFIAF welcomes professors Roldolphe el-Khoury, Hashim Sarkis, and architects Makram el Kadi and Ziad Jamaleddine for this talk on public space in Beirut.Panelists will address questions of memory and urban trauma as they relate to divisions in the city and diminishing conditions for these public spaces.19 MayPerforming Arts: Wajdi Mouawad | 7pm | http://bit.ly/bClVNGCelebrated author, director, actor, and storyteller Wajdi Mouawad comes to FIAF for a special evening dedicated to his brilliant and poetic work. Born in Lebanon, Mouawad was forced to flee as a child, travelling first to France and then to Montreal before finally moving to Quebec where he has lived since 1983. Since his exile from Lebanon, Mouawad has used writing to explore themes of exile, war, and identity, stressing the belief that “there can be no theater without stories.”20 MayArchitecture: Modern Architecture in Beirut - Reconstruction & Cultural Identity | 7pm | http://bit.ly/anbwroArchitects George Arbid, Steven Holl, Amale Andraos and Dan Wood will participate in the final discussion in this series. In moderated conversation, speakers will explore post-civil-war planning and reconstruction, addressing questions such as historic preservation, conservation, and the conflicts inherent in the present reconstruction of Beirut.21 MayPerforming Arts: A Reading with Wajdi Mouawad & Jane Birkin | 7pm | http://bit.ly/cMQ5kXAcclaimed author Wajdi Mouawad will be joined by iconic film and music figure Jane Birkin for a special reading of his work. In this evening performance, Birkin and Mouawad, joined by their art and commitment to humanitarian works, will take to the stage to read Mouawad’s —written personally for Birkin—in addition to other works.24 MayTalk: An Evening with Carlos Ghosn | 7pm | http://bit.ly/d9n9NHBrazil-born Lebanese businessman Carlos Ghosn comes to FIAF for a special talk to close the series. Currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Ghosn has been recognized as one of the world’s most important business leaders by magazine, CNN, the , and European CNBC. In this intimate evening, business luminary Ghosn will speak about how his successful career has been shaped by his global outlook.Art / GalleriesNabil Nahas: FIAF Gallery | May 1-29 | http://bit.ly/b9s0NzLebanese-American artist Nabil Nahas, whose work has been exhibited all over the world, brings his striking, large-scale works—including a few new pieces—to FIAF’s Gallery. Inspired by the beauty of nature and the rich complexity of Middle Eastern culture, Nahas uses natural elements such as trees—in particular the cedar, symbolizing Lebanon—to present his personal vision of his homeland.My Umi Said... | Kleio Projects | May 7-28 | http://bit.ly/bTvW8xThrough their work, these artists will explore issues pertinent to Lebanon’s current social and political landscape in inventive, playful, and surprising ways. Using painting, mixed media installation, video, and photography, each artist will challenge themes related to identity by exploring the ways in which it is considered in Lebanon, a country celebrated for its rich diversity.CinémaTuesdays | Showtimes vary | http://bit.ly/bl3vbQ(Tuesdays in May - visit link for film descriptions)4 May: 'Out of Life' (Hors la vie) 12:30, 4, 7:30pm11 May: 'Once Upon a Time: Beirut' (Kan Ya Makan Beirut) 12:30, 4, 7:30pm18 May: 'The One Man Village' (Sema'an bel Day'a) 12:30, 4, 7:30pm25 May: 'The Road North' & 'The Last Man' (Double Screening) 12:30 & 7pm25 May: Short films at 4pm· 'Tripoli Quiet' (· 'Tomorrow 6:30 · 'A Sheherazade Tale'· 'Wednesday'
FIAF will present in partnership with PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, ArteEast, Alwan for the Arts, Architizer, and Kleio Projects.
