From a media release
Culture and Arts: Lebanon
Rehabilitating the historic Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut
BEIRUT - After the experience of rehabilitating and opening the closed cinemas in the south and north of Lebanon and turning them into independent and free cultural spaces, the Tiro Association for Arts and the Istanbouli Theatre rehabilitated the Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut, to transform it into the Lebanese National Theatre, an independent free cultural space, in which training workshops, festivals, and artistic performances are organized, as well as the establishment of a public library and an artistic cafeteria.
.JPG "Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut") |
| Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut |
The founder of the Lebanese National Theatre, actor and director Kassem Istanbouli, confirmed, "The goal of the project is to establish a link between the south, the north, and Beirut, as it is a complement to our dream, which began with the establishment of the Lebanese National Theatre in Tyre seven years ago, which is the first free theatre and cinema in Lebanon. Thanks to the efforts of young volunteers, we will achieve our dream that art is a right for all, break the virtual wall between the Lebanese regions through the arts, and link them together through cultural spaces. We are happy to live this dream in Beirut, which is considered the second-most cinematic city in the history of Lebanon." About 29 halls were located in Al-Burj Square and 16 halls in the Hamra area. That’s where many theatres were founded and witnessed by the most important playwrights in Lebanon and the world.
Moreover, the Tiro Association for Arts (TAA), which is led by youth and volunteers, aims to establish free and independent cultural forums in Lebanon. That is, by renovating Al Hamra and Stars Cinema in Nabatieh and Rivoli Cinema in Tyre, which became the Lebanese National Theatre, the first free theatre and cinema in Lebanon, as well as Empire Cinema in Tripoli, which became the Lebanese National Theatre in that city. TAA also implements artistic training workshops for children and youth; opens and renovates cultural forums; and organizes festivals, activities, and artistic exhibitions.
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| Interior of the Colisée Cinema in Beirut |
In addition, the association screens artistic and educational movies for children and youth and works on maintaining partnerships with international festivals, as well as granting young directors the opportunity to screen their movies and letting people get acquainted with the history of cinema and local and international performances. The association also presents film screenings for the blind and deaf, and training workshops for people with special needs.
The Lebanese International Theatre Festival, the Watch Lebanon in Mobile Cinema Festival, the Tripoli International Theatre Festival, the Tyre International Music Festival, the Lebanese International Theatre Festival for Storytelling, the Tyre International Fine Arts Festival, the Tyre Cultural Days Festival, the Lebanese International Theatre Festival for Women’s Monodrama, the Lebanese International Theatre Festival for Contemporary Dance, the Tiro International Arts Festival, and the Tyre International Theatre Festival are among the festivals that TAA implements.
ARAB CULTURE AND ARTS NETWORK - ACAN
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