Lebanese and foreigners gather in Beirut to celebrate UNESCO International Jazz Day

Believing in the role of jazz in uniting people and bringing all cultures together, and under the Patronage of UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and the participation of the French Embassy and the French Institute, the Lebanese Cultural and Touristic Festivals Association and the Beirut Jazz Festival organized the 5^th edition of the Beirut International Jazz Day, during three days from 28 till 30 April, 2017 at the Foch Allenby area in Beirut Central District.

More than 30,000 Jazz enthusiasts from Lebanon and the region gathered in Beirut to witness the performances of the art of jazz, participating in the free concerts of 15 Jazz groups from Lebanon and the region and a guest group from France that has been especially invited by the French Embassy and the French Institute to mark this international celebration. On April 30, the UNESCO International Jazz Day celebrated worldwide, witnessed in Beirut a special celebration attended by the Director of UNESCO, the French Ambassador and the Ministers of Culture and Tourism, followed by the performance of Manuel Rocheman Misterio Tour, coming especially from France for this celebration.

For the occasion, Mr. Joseph Kreidy in Charge the Culture Sector at UNESCO - Beirut Office congratulated Beirut on the success of the 5^th edition of Beirut International Jazz Day saying: “Seeing all these people participating in this year’s edition is a proof that jazz is still alive and that Lebanon embraces all types of cultures uniting people from different parts of the world”.

As for Ms. Randa Armanazi, Director of the Lebanese Cultural Festivals Association and the Organizer of the Beirut International Jazz Day for the past 5 years, along with the Fête de la Musique for the past 17 years, she expressed her pride in the beautiful scene of Beirut on April 28, 29 and 30 and said: “Beirut International Jazz Day added a flavor to Beirut this year by bringing together 16 bands that played beautiful jazz music during three days. We are more than proud of the big attendance that has been increasing with time which shows that music, jazz and culture are the essence of life in Beirut and the world”.

She also wished all Lebanese and foreigners a Happy International Jazz Day saying: “We hope that Jazz remains a source of unity and happiness all over the world and we promise that Beirut will always be a big supporter of the cause UNESCO is spreading through this day”.