Return to the Baalbek Festivals

Appreciation of the committee's work. The festivals are cultural, not commercial. The English troupe cost Lebanon nothing.

Chance brought me together with my friend Mrs. Salwa Dimashqiyah al-Said, a member of the artistic festivals committee, and of the English theater committee in particular; and I heard from her an engaging account which I judged it well worth the magazine's mission to pass on to our readers, in completion of what appeared about the festivals in the previous issue, and in faithfulness on our part to this important cultural cause.

It was among the early signs of success that the members of the permanent committee for the Baalbek festivals were well chosen — especially as most of its elements were new, never before merged into the practice of any particular social or cultural activity. It is the first time the wealthy, pampered class has been given the opportunity to show its capacities and its aptitude for positive work. In short, the ladies of the marble palaces came down from their high towers to the first practical test — one that would either place them in the ranks of worthy citizenesses, or hurl them back into the void in whose whirlpool they had lived until only yesterday, when their energy went to waste among cocktail parties, gaming tables, and the long, inveterate late nights, far removed from constructive works.

It was the first test, and the first opportunity given to this class of our ladies... and

the test succeeded, and the members of the festivals committee earned the fullest appreciation and thanks.

We are not accustomed, in this country, to believe in the capacities of the rich, because most of our rich are far removed from the spirit of sacrifice and open-handed giving. When the festivals committee was formed, we had just come out of three national catastrophes — the fire, the drowning, and the earthquake — and people were weary of having their palms milked, their sympathies stirred, and being asked to donate, time after time... All these reasons led those charged with selecting the committee's members to aim at the class with 'solid backing' and moral influence, and to load it with the responsibility.

It is only fair that we record this class's zeal, its ardor, and its generosity — it is enough to mention, by way of example, that the committee raised among its own members, within the space of half an hour, forty thousand lira!

And through the influence of the committee's members and their contacts with wealthy institutions and individuals, another considerable sum was collected, which greatly relieved the pressure of the resulting deficit — especially when we know that the expenses run beyond hundreds of thousands, including transport and hotels...

It is worth mentioning that the artistic festivals, which began disguised in a 'commercial' garb, have today cast that garb off; the permanent committee has resolved that these festivals shall be purely 'cultural,' and a lofty arena of contact between Lebanon — and those who come to it every summer — and the finest artistic elements, theatrical and musical. The committee will begin its meetings at the start of October to take the appropriate decisions and to contact the great international troupes and contract with them.

There remains one story — perhaps the most delightful thing in this whole account... It is the story of the English troupe that performed two plays of Shakespeare, 'Twelfth Night' and 'Hamlet,' both of which met with the greatest success and triumph...

The story began at the presidential palace, where His Excellency was speaking of the artistic festivals, and the hopes he pinned upon them, to Sir Francis Brake, one of the influential members of the 'British air transport company.' Perhaps President Chamoun complained to Sir Brake of the narrowness of the material means, and wished — merely by way of wishing — that it were possible to see a play of Shakespeare's among the temples of Baalbek!

At the time Sir Francis Brake gave President Chamoun no answer. But he was thinking. And he is of that old breed of Englishmen who work in silence to encourage and spread culture...

He returned to England... and after some weeks a telegram arrived from him to the festivals committee, inquiring whether there remained a serious desire to have a theatrical troupe sent to Lebanon. And the answer came: 'Yes.' And there arrived, with all speed, from England to Lebanon, Robert Atkins — who has now spent fifty years performing Shakespeare's plays. He came to look over the place and the situation, and to make contact with the members of the committee; and he agreed to give us ten days of his summer program. His troupe numbers 25 actors and actresses.

It was a pleasant surprise when the committee was informed that Lebanon would bear nothing of the expenses of the Atkins English troupe — Sir Francis Brake paid them all — while the 'British air transport company' contributed toward the fares of the troupe's members to and from England...

We relate, by way of amusement, that Sir Francis Brake... cabled the committee, reserved a seat for the opening performance, and paid for the ticket! And he left directly after the performance, without most of the members having had the chance to make his acquaintance... or at least to thank him!

In appreciation of this singular deed, the English troupe was honored magnificently, with an engagement for the coming summer.

Three parties were the greatest publicity for Lebanon that the troupe carried home on its return to England. The first, for introductions, was given by one of the members, Mrs. May Arida, and gathered 200 Lebanese guests. The second was a sumptuous luncheon at the palace of the president, Mrs. Aimée Kettaneh, at which her great graciousness and warmth shone forth. And the third was a cocktail party given by Mr. Elia Abou Jaoude, owner of the Abou Jaoude Bank.

Letters have arrived from the members of the English troupe, all praising Lebanon and full of admiration for its people and for everything they saw there, together with their longing to be given a second opportunity to perform here.

And in view of the far-reaching echo made by this summer's festivals, musical and theatrical troupes from all parts of the world have begun submitting their offers to the committee, to contract for the coming year.

The government, moreover, has promised the committee to approach the Chamber about the possibility of increasing the annual grant allotted to the festivals, so that the committee will no longer remain at the mercy of donations.