2020: 12th edition

Beirut, 10 April 2020 –

Due to the unprecedented catastrophic situation that Lebanon has been facing since the last semester of 2019, which has been further aggravated today by the global health crisis of COVID-19, it is with great sadness that the Beirut Spring Festival, which usually takes place in June, is postponed until further notice.

The Samir Kassir Foundation would like to express its deepest gratitude to the heroes on the front lines, who are fighting to keep the world on its feet at the risk of their own lives. Our thoughts are with the families affected by the virus and we wish them a speedy recovery.

We can only sympathize with our brothers and sisters in the cultural sector who have been forced to either cancel or postpone their events.

We will come back even stronger to uphold our mission of promoting and providing free access to culture for ALL.

Last but not least, we thank you all for your continued support and loyalty and cannot wait to share new experiences with you. Stay safe and see you soon!

Beirut, 19 August 2020 – 
Dear audiences, artists and friends of the Beirut Spring Festival,

It is with a heavy heart that we send our condolences and thoughts to all those affected by the devastating explosion that has hit Beirut. 

This year has been difficult for all of us due to the economic, political and health crises that have brought the cultural industry and all its players to the brink of collapse. 

Like most local festivals, the Beirut Spring Festival was put on hold for the first time in 12 years. We had hoped to reschedule it for later in the year. The horrific explosion has once again put long-term planning in jeopardy, but it is our duty to fight back. 

Samir Kassir believed that freedom of expression and the role of culture are the crucial conditions for any resilience, any modern society, and especially for the prosperity of Lebanon to thrive beyond the state of despair.

We are pleased to announce that we are organizing two live online shows to provide a glimpse of light in this perpetual darkness that the whole country is facing. The show is made possible by several international artists who have participated in the Beirut Spring Festival from 2009 to 2019 and who are eager to share a message of hope with all of you today: a virtual live festival on August 25 and September 1, 2020 at 21:00. The program will be announced soon.

Stay tuned to reconnect with some of the international artists who have generously agreed to honor their friendship and affinity for Beirut and its people with special new performances. 

Save the dates!

Thank you for your wonderful solidarity.

The Beirut Spring Festival Team,

Samir Kassir Foundation

Against the backdrop of the crises affecting Lebanon and the double explosion at the Beirut Port on 4 August 2020, the 12th edition of the Beirut Spring Festival was rescheduled for Tuesday 25 August 2020 and Tuesday 1 September 2020. For two evenings, the festival took place online, welcoming artists who had participated in previous editions, and who were showing up with their message of hope and friendship for the city, for the country, and for the festival.