This blog post was written by Joelle Khayat, Development Coordinator for the Delia Arts Foundation.
She is Lebanese and is currently studying music theory and performance at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music.
You may have read about all the problems in Lebanon, beginning with our history of war, political instability, and ending with the current revolution and economic crisis. This situation has only been accentuated by the current Coronavirus pandemic. While Lebanon’s problems cannot be ignored, I’d like to offer a different perspective about the things you will never see or read in the news.
Lebanon is a beautiful country with all its history and nature. Its multicultural richness is unparalleled, especially in the Middle East. Most of all, its beauty relies on its people.
The Lebanese are well known for being trilingual at the very least. We are keenly open to other cultures, welcoming all people from various backgrounds and getting to know their culture as our own. Lebanese people are also kind-hearted, generous, helpful, reach for the highest education and positions possible, and stand in solidarity in difficult times.
The music sector in Lebanon is particularly challenged. As a violin performance and music theory student, I am being given the best education that my institution could possibly provide. Still, all students are aware that due to the lack of funding and direction – either in the process of our education or later in our professional lives – that it will be difficult to consider music as a full-time career.
Although we are struggling with political instability and are fighting for our economy to stabilize, we are also witnessing a wave of creativity. Several projects have recently launched, aiming to support musicians and artists in need. One such initiative is the Solidarity Fund for Arts and Culture Structures in Lebanon, launched by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.
My hope for the future is that the music sector will fully develop in Lebanon. This can be accomplished through improved music education and by expanded opportunities for musicians to flourish in professional careers. This will only be possible if we continue to support each other and if the global community pitches in to create opportunities for new projects which will ensure a better future for us all.
Quoting my teacher, who is French and has been living in Beirut for 25 years, regarding whether she regrets coming to Lebanon and building her music career here:
On the other hand, Lebanese musicians are very diverse in their style. They are very knowledgeable about music in different cultures. We always work towards creating opportunities to perform, teach and learn, exchanging our knowledge with others and putting our talents in service of the greater good.
Several initiatives focused on getting support for artists, raising money to feed needy families, educating the marginalized areas, and some of them only had the aim to lift the spirits of the people who are struggling. Local radio, TV stations and social media supported in drawing attention to all existing initiatives in all fields and provide logistic and technical help when needed. Lebanese people, either local or residing outside, are creating new initiatives every day.
Music students are continuing their learning online, while being fortunate to have dedicated teachers who are putting in enormous efforts to assist each student in their learning and making sure that they have all they need to complete this year with success.
Professional musicians, on the other hand, are facing troubles as they cannot perform in person just yet. Still, they are using technology and social media to their advantage while waiting for lockdown measures to be lessened and the economy to have more opportunities.
In times when the whole world is silent and took a step back from busy schedules, we ask to be heard, seen and recognized as people who are hopeful for a better future, people who work hard when the opportunity is given, people who deserve much more than the circumstances that have limited their potential.