Festivals

IRTIJAL’16 – International Festival For Experimental Music In Lebanon

Founded in 2000, Irtijal is presently the oldest music festival of the city of Beirut, and one of the longest standing international festivals of post-war Lebanon. Irtijal is organized by MILL, a non-profit association founded in 2000 by musicians Mazen Kerbaj and Sharif Sehnaoui, with the intent of promoting contemporary and experimental practices in music, and assisting projects that do not fit within the Lebanese mainstream, yet still present undeniable artistic value.

The 20th century has witnessed a strong worldwide spread of new and alternative musical styles, which in turn constitute an important aspect of the historical evolution of music as an art form. MILL was created to boost and support these practices in Lebanon: free improvisation, free jazz, contemporary classical music, post-rock, experimental electronic music, sound-art as well as many other attempts to explore new and uncharted territories in sound. In the same manner, and thanks to the importance of Beirut on the cultural map of the Arab world, we strive to extend these ideas to neighboring Arab countries. With a keen eye on these practices, Irtijal is a yearly meeting that focuses on presenting works by both local and foreign artists, all the while encouraging interaction between them.

* Gratkowski 4tet:
– Frank Gratkowski: saxophones
– Wolter Wierbos: trombone
– Dieter Manderscheid: double-bass
– Gerry Hemingway: drums

* Sawt-Out:
– Mazen Kerbaj: trumpet
– Burkhard Beins: percussion
– Michael Vorfeld: percussion

* Codsi/Elieh/Tabbal:
– Marc Codsi: electric guitar
– Fadi Tabbal: electric guita

Cost
Weekdays: 25,000 LL
Saturdays: 30,000 LL
Festival Pass: 70,000 LL

For more information
03.910.209