FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL AL BUSTAN 2026 : FAMILY AND FRIENDS Du 24/02/2026 à 20:30 au 22/03/2026 à 22:00-Agenda culturel

Al Bustan Festival 2026 – Family & Friends From 24 February to 22 March 2026, the Al Bustan Festival returns for its 32nd edition, reaffirming its place as one of Lebanon’s most important cultural landmarks. This year’s theme, Family & Friends, celebrates music as a shared language — nurtured by shared heritage, artistic exchange, and the human connections that unite musicians beyond generations, cultures, and borders.

At a time when togetherness and continuity feel more essential than ever, the Festival invites audiences to experience music through the lens of connection: family ties, long-standing friendships, and artistic partnerships built on trust, dialogue, and common histories. A PROGRAM SHAPED BY FAMILY, TRADITION, AND SHARED ROOTS The 2026 edition opens with a landmark concert by the legendary Lebanese composer and musician Marcel Khalife, joined on stage by members of his family — his son, Rami, his nephew Sary — as well as star guests Charbel Rouhana and his son, Nadim. This opening concert sets the tone for Family & Friends, offering a powerful musical encounter rooted in joint stories and creative collaboration across generations. The Festival closes with the evocative voice of Jahida Wehbe, echoing the words of renowned poets and offering a poignant and deeply expressive conclusion to this edition. Throughout the Festival, internationally acclaimed artists take center stage. Amongst them, the celebrated bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel brings his commanding presence and operatic artistry, while violinist Renaud Capuçon returns with performances marked by musical depth and refined collaboration. Chamber music plays a central role in this edition, notably with the presence of the Trio Moreau, whose shared family background and musical dialogue perfectly echo the Festival’s theme. The program also features cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière alongside his sister, violinist Alice Julien-Laferrière, as well as the Geniušas Duo, formed by pianists Lukas Geniušas and his spouse Anna Geniushene. Sibling duos, family ensembles, and long-standing musical partnerships appear throughout the program, highlighting the intimacy and understanding that arise when music is shaped by close human relationships.

The symphonic and vocal repertoire remains a cornerstone of the Festival, with major works of the classical repertoire alongside choral and orchestral masterpieces. This edition notably welcomes the Yerevan Youth Orchestra, which appears on major stages, including the Konzerthaus Berlin. Their participation underscores the importance of mentorship, artistic transmission, and continuity — values that have long defined Al Bustan Festival’s identity

A FESTIVAL OF TOGETHERNESS AND LEGACY

More than a theme, Family & Friends reflects the Festival’s spirit. Since its creation, Al Bustan Festival has been a platform where artists meet, return, and build lasting relationships — with one another and with the Lebanese public. The 2026 edition celebrates this sense of loyalty and exchange, offering audiences music as a collective experience: a dialogue between generations, cultures, and artists who come together through friendship, respect, and a shared love of music. ABOUT AL BUSTAN FESTIVAL Founded in 1994, Al Bustan Festival has established itself as a major winter cultural event in Lebanon, welcoming world-renowned artists while remaining deeply committed to artistic excellence, education, and cultural dialogue. Through its programming, the Festival continues to connect Lebanon to the international music scene while nurturing local and regional talent.

Check the ful program here