Melhem Barakat in Maghdouche !

This might not be of interest for our norwegian friends, but I have to mention it here as "Melhem Barakat" is one of the big names when one talks about arabic music. Lebanese and arab followers know what I am talking about.

From Maghdouche party 09/09/09, here are 2 videos that I found posted on facebook. Enjoy !

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=163117221006&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=162677236006

A Tribute to George Khalil

Maghdouche Festival 2009 was launched with a tribute to George Khalil who passed away lately. George Khalil was the founder of the "Kroom e Shams" Festival and one of those who worked hard to assume its continuity.

In the photo, Dr. Ghazi Ayyoub , the mayor of Maghdouche is presenting the honor shield to father Jacques George Khalil. Photos by Hiba Ghanem.

Maghdouche Festival 2009

This year "Kroum e Shams" Festival, directly translated as "Vineyards of the Sun festival", has exceptionally shifted name to "Maghdouche Festival 2009".

Does the name matter that much ? For the young generation, it does'nt, as far as the Arak is the same, the Stolichnaya Vodka is the same, the barbecued meat cubes are the same and our famous "Dabke" dance lasting till the morning is the same.

But for us, the older generation, the generation that grew up with the festival, the name means a lot. It is the name that gave to the festival its identity and particularity, and what is more particular for Maghdouche than its grapes and its vineyards?

This year, the preparations are in progress. Thanks for the efforts of enthosiastic Maghdouche people, the festival manages to host some big names in the arab art scene: Melhem Barakat (6/9/2009), and Diana Haddad (7/9/2009), as well as many others known names: Margo Kassar, Fadia Najem etc etc...

The festival this year starts on the 22/8/2009 and ends on the 13/9/2009.

For arabic speakers, you can find the full program of the festival on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=218246260166

Maghdouche celebrates " Saydet el Mantara"

On the 8th. of september of every year, Maghdouche celebrates "Saydet el Mantara" (Our Lady of the Awaiting). Local people call the celebration: "Eid e Saydeh" and they combine it with a big festival called "Kroum e Shams" which is traditionally the celebration of the harvesting of Maghdouche's grapes.

"Dabke" a folk dance performed by youngsters of Maghdouche (photo: Toni Abboud)

For the occasion, Maghdouche presents 2 kinds of festivities: religious celebrations and entertainments that last for arround 3 weeks and end on the 13th. of september with the celebration of the cross "Eid Essalib".