This is not Lebanon

Debt, protest, explosion, failed state – the buzzwords used in media reports on Lebanon provide a sense of how desperate the situation in the Arabic state is. But Western reporting often fails to grasp the complexity of the country’s cultural scene, especially Beirut’s, which is existentially threatened by the crisis. The festival “This is not Lebanon” wishes to offer much-needed artistic and structural support. Initiated and directed by Matthias Lilienthal and Rabih Mroué, the festival in Frankfurt am Main will present the works by young artists from Lebanon and serve as a platform for performances, music, and performing and visual art productions.

The project comprises both artistic and structural development aspects. The artistic programme aims to promote cultural exchange at the festival and acquaint visitors from the multicultural city of Frankfurt with Lebanese culture in all its complexity. The structural support will be channelled into a production platform for Lebanese artists in cooperation with cultural institutions involved in Frankfurt LAB. Among other projects, the festival will include four new theatre productions and two new music compositions which are being rehearsed by the Ensemble Modern.

The project places particular focus on working closely with Lebanese participants, based on Matthias Lilienthal’s experience as a guest curator of the Beirut “Home Works” festival and the collaboration with the Lebanese theatre artist Rabih Mroué and the Lebanese artist association Ashkal Alwan. Additional guest performances in Beirut are planned after the festival.

Artistic directors, curators: Matthias Lilienthal, Rabih Mroué
Artists: Marwa Arsonios, Ghida Hachicho, Ensemble Modern, Rabih Mroué and others

International Events

Performances, Goethe-Institut & Ashkal Alwan, Beirut: planned for autumn/winter 2021