The American University of Beirut (AUB), through the Zaki Nassif Program for Music and Jafet Library, will host the “Baalbeck Festival Week at AUB” from September 14–19, 2026, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Baalbeck International Festival and its enduring contribution to Lebanon’s musical and cultural heritage.
Bringing together an exhibition, a cultural seminar, a book signing, and a concert, the week will highlight the festival’s remarkable history and its lasting influence on music in Lebanon and the Levant.
Opening Ceremony and Exhibition
The week will officially open on Monday, September 14 at 4:00 p.m. at AUB’s Batish Auditorium, West Hall, with an opening ceremony and an exhibition organized by University Libraries.
The exhibition will offer an opportunity to explore and reflect on the heritage of the Baalbeck International Festival and its place in Lebanon’s cultural history. It will remain on display for two months, allowing the AUB community, students, researchers, and members of the public an extended opportunity to experience and engage with this celebration of the Baalbeck Festival’s musical heritage.
Exploring Baalbeck’s Impact on Music
On Wednesday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m., the university will host a special edition of the Ali Ghandour Cultural Seminars, titled “The Impact of the Baalbeck International Festival on the Development of Music in Lebanon and the Levant.” The discussion will examine the festival’s significant role in shaping Lebanon’s musical landscape and its broader cultural influence across the region.
It will take place at Bassile Antoine Meguerdiche Conference Hall (Issam Fares Institute Auditorium) at AUB, and will bring together Nayla de Freige, president of the Baalbeck International Festival Committee; Rev. Dr. Badih El Hajj, professor at USEK; and author Zeina Saleh Kayali.
The seminar will be followed by a book signing of Zeina Saleh Kayali’s Zaki Nassif, Chantre du terroir, offering attendees an opportunity to engage further with the work and its exploration of one of Lebanon’s important musical figures.
“Echoes from Baalbeck’s Musical Heritage 1957–1974”
The week will conclude on Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. with a special concert at Assembly Hall, AUB. Titled “Echoes from Baalbeck’s Musical Heritage 1957–1974,” the concert will be performed by the AUB Arabic Ensemble of the Zaki Nassif Program for Music. The performance will revisit the rich musical heritage associated with the early decades of the Baalbeck International Festival, bringing the sounds and spirit of this landmark period to a new generation of audiences.
Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring the Future
The “Baalbeck Festival Week at AUB” is part of the university’s broader Zaki Nassif Program for Music Festival 2026–2027, under the theme “Remembering and Discovering: Preserving Heritage, Inspiring the Future.”
Through these events, AUB seeks to celebrate the legacy of the Baalbeck International Festival while creating opportunities for reflection and musical discovery. The program underscores the university’s commitment to preserving Lebanon’s cultural heritage and ensuring that its musical traditions continue to inspire future generations.
The Baalbeck Festival Week at AUB is open to audiences interested in Lebanon’s music, history, cultural heritage, and the enduring story of one of the region’s most significant international festivals. Tickets for the concert are on sale at all Librairie Antoine branches and online at antoineticketing.com. For more information, contact the AUB Office of Events at +961 1 350 000 ext. 2685 or [email protected]