NAGY SOURATY OPENING CEREMONY SPEECH @MISHKALfestival 2013

Organizing a festival for all arts,
a festival for the youth and by the youth, in Septembre 2013,
in the heart of Beirut and making it happen, is our statement, is the statement of Al Madina Theatre.
Everybody was asking us if we were indifferent to what was happening around us.
Everybody was asking us how can we organize a festival in Beirut, despite what is happening around us?
Our answer was: it is precisely because we are not indifferent to what is happening in the world today that we are organizing this festival,
and that we want this festival to happen.
And here we are tonight, and our festival is happening.

MISHKAL,
a kaleidoscope,
a kaleidoscope of ideas, of forms, of colors,
a kaleidoscope of artists,
a kaleidoscope of young people coming from all the universities in Lebanon,
a kaleidoscope of generations,
If all these kaleidoscopes landed in Al Madina Theatre, it is not a coincidence. It is because Al Madina Theatre was created to become a platform for all arts, a platform of all arts.
Since its creation, Al Madina Theatre, had in its vision the youth,
its aim was to become their platform.
And here they are, the army of young people, occupying the theatre and making it their home.
F. Scott Fitzgerald says: "Youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness." This chemistry between youth and art is mad indeed, but it takes two to tango, we adults also acknowledge our madness.
This chemistry between the madness of two generations makes the dream come true,
and our festival came true.
Last year with the help of the European Union, and this year with the help of the Municipality of Beirut.
Creating a Festival is one thing, but sustaining it is another!

I will now speak in the name of this army of young people who have been working with me devotedly for months.
In their name I thank Mrs. Nidal Al Achkar, Founder & Executive Director of Al Madina Theatre,
who trusted them and who made Al Madina Theatre their second home.
In their name I thank Dr. Bilal Hammad and the Municipality of Beirut who believed in the youth like us,
and who made MISHKAL their own festival too.

In their name I thank Michel Eléfteriadès for accepting to be in charge of our Grand Opening tonight.
I would like to thank Mr. Nassir Kaloush, Governor of the Municipality of Beirut.
I thank Mrs. Alma Salem and Mr. Elie Gemayel and the British Council
who also believed in our project and decided to join us on board. We will be organizing a series of workshops in collaboration with the British Council who acknowledged the importance of our Festival
I thank the Ministry of culture, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Education for their support.
I also thank the team of Al Madina Theatre: Mohammad, Salah, Ali and Louay, as well as the Board of the theatre.
I would like to thank the administrations and the deans of all the universities who encouraged their students to participate massively in our festival.
I would also like to extend my thanks to the participants who are the heart of the festival.
And in the name of Al Madina Theatre I would like thank the youth,
the committee of the festival, the squad of the festival and the team of the festival.. A hell of an army.
If the participants are the heart of the festival I will say without hesitation: you are the soul of the festival,
and do I need to specify that souls are eternal.. 

MAYA HOBEIKA CONCERT & ALBUM LAUNCH IN MISHKAL FESTIVAL

Maya Hobeika is a Lebanese soprano.  She started her musical career as a member of the LAU choir in 2004. 

After a couple of years, she became one of the choir soloists' performing arias by Bach, Bizet, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns.

In the first edition of MISHKAL in September 2012, Maya performed her first two new songs along with some Arabic classics.

The positive feedback encouraged her to start recording her first album "WARD" which will be released after her concert in MISHKAL13 on Friday September 20 at 10.10pm. There will be an album signing afterwards.

 Maya represented Lebanon in the "Orient meets Occident" festival in Germany in the summer of 2010. She is currently pursuing her "Oud" studies at the National Lebanese Conservatory.

She is in continuous search for a new style that encompasses both her experience in western classical and Arabic classical music.

For more information join the Facebook Page below;

https://www.facebook.com/events/1417184151830241/

OPENING NIGHT OF MISHKAL13 AT AL MADINA THEATRE

MUAY THAI SHOWCASE & SCREENING OF RAMADAN IN MISHKAL AT AL MADINA THEATRE

The champ Ramadan 

The showcase on Thursday 19 September, 2013 will screen a documentary film and the star of the film will be displaying his talents in an interactive Muay Thai demonstration. 

Ramadan Ondash is a five year old Muay Thai prodigy. He is dedicated to this marital art and started training at the age of three. He knows all the Muay Thai fighting techniques in the Thai language. Ramadan is considered among professionals to be the best young Muay Thai fighter in the world. This is all thanks to his older brother, Ahmad who devoted his time to train Ramadan. Ahmad, 21, is a Muay Thai fighter himself who mentors Ramadan to be a respectful, leading athlete. 

The short documentary film that will be screened, Ramadan, is directed by Amir Haffar. This documentary takes us on a journey with young Ramadan, as we follow him around discovering his passion towards the art of Muay Thai. 

For more information check out our Facebook page below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1381490888750423/?ref=br_tf

Shogun Official Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shogun-2/453089444738647

For Info please contact:

Al Madina Theatre / مسرح المدينة

TEL: + 961 1 753 010 /11

FAX: + 961 1 753 012

Agonistik for performing arts directed by Nagy Souraty

TEL: + 961 70727178

JEBEBARA IN MISHKAL FESTIVAL AT AL MADINA THEATRE

Don't miss Jebebara's interactive show on Wednesday 18 September, 2013 at 10.10pm. 

Jebebara is a group dedicated to the performance of traditional West African Rhythms, based on the Djembe and Dununs drums. The group celebrates the power of the Djembe drum to bring people together;  without the community the music does not happen, without the cause for celebration and the dancers, the rhythms is meaningless.  

'Jebebara' is a word that comes from the Bamana people of Mali which translates roughly to "unity drum" or "drum of ceremony". 

The group is based in Beirut, teaching classes, and playing in public and private events. 

For more information please click the links below:

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JebebaraUnityDrum

Website: www.jebebarabeirut.wordpress.com

THE EMPEROR MICHEL ELEFTERIADES

The Emperor Michel Eléftériadès will be conducting the Grand Opening of MISHKAL13 with his noble subjects of astounding musical talents on September 17, 2013. 

His Imperial Highness is the ruler of Nowheristan, a nation with citizens from all over the world. The Emperor envisioned a new social, philosophical and cultural approach that has evoked passion in the minds and hearts of all who witness his movements.

The Emperor is an Arab pioneer in the world music fusion. He is the founder and co-owner of Elefrecords. His Imperial Highness brought his unprecedented vision to a vibrant new level when he founded “Music Hall” in 2003. The Emperor is also a painter of the highest caliber, as well as a published author.

Emperor Eléftériadès has a vision that has manifested through all forms of art, with brutal honesty that is as inspiring as it is thought provoking. His principals motivate the free minded and young hearted. 

FILM SCREENINGS IN MISHKAL FESTIVAL AT AL MADINA THEATRE 2013

Alain J. Roukoz - Roots

A woman resuscitates her late husband, a lumberjack. As memories are awakening, we discover the pleasant and bitter encounters of their early life together. 

Alain-Jean Roukoz, 20 years old, is studying cinematography at IESAV - USJ. His movies are inspired by every day’s events, established in a poetic set up.

Eliane Houais – Trust Me I am a Granny

Georgette wants a grandson. She already has four granddaughters who will do anything to avoid having a boy amongst them. She lost hope after realizing her prayers were in vain, so she decides to follow by the book old recipes her neighbor gave her in order to get her daughter in-law to give birth to a boy.

Eliane has a bachelor in audio-visual, sound specialization from Université Saint Joseph. She started playing the piano at a young age, which fueled her curiosity in sound. Her film is inspired by her own traditional Lebanese family, which is waiting for a baby boy. 

Timothy Rackart - Head Over Heels

A husband and wife have grown apart over the years.  He lives on the floor, she lives on the ceiling, and their marriage hangs in the balance. 

Timothy is an Oscar-nominated director. He received his BA from Harvard University, and did his post-graduate at the National Film & Television School. His début animated short, Head Over Heels, won the first Annie Award for Student Film, was nominated for the Academy Award and the Cartoon d’Or, and won over 30 other awards at festivals around the world. 

Inshalla Montero – Man of Squares

A businessman draws thousands of squares on paper in return for gold. He is trapped in a room where he forgets the outside world. One day a series of visitors bring gifts that trigger his memories, and a watch revives something inside of him.

Inshallah is a Digital Filmmaking graduate from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in Manila, Philippines. Her documentary and experimental short films won at the Gawad CCP Film Festival. Inshalla’s thesis film, "Man of Squares", won at the Manhattan International Film Festival in New York and was screened at the United Nations under the World Youth Alliance.  

Manar Saad – Keshtben

A family social documentary created through observing actions of two sisters in their 80’s. One was married for 9 months, while the other never wed. The director is visiting them as they prepare her wedding gown.

Manar IESAV - USJ. “Keshtben” has been accepted as part of ‘Pisek Film Festival’ in Czech Republic and ‘Beirut International Film Festival’. 

Nader Moussally – Khizanat Mirvatte

Mirvatte, is a woman in her golden years. She is overly attached to her clothing and her bridal trousseau that she had kept safe in her locked closet. Early one morning, all the dresses decided to escape from this jail in order to get a breath of fresh air.

Nader is a photographer who just finished his second year at IESAV - USJ and is majoring in cinematography. He has experience as a fashion photographer, and his professional experience includes being an assistant art director and assistant director in many music videos.  He is also an actor.

Raneem Halabi – House of Absentia 

Céline lost her father as a child. Haunted by his death, she struggles to let go. Céline returns to her childhood home one night before the new tenants arrive and her father’s presence is stronger than ever. She questions whether these manifestations are real or a deception.

Raneem studied Communication Arts at LAU. She acted in many student productions and participated in festivals in Jordan and Egypt. The play she directed participated in the LAU International Theatre Festival and MISHKAL12. She directed her first documentary and participated in the NDU Film Festival. 

Kristian Abouanni – The Comeback of a ‘Has-Been’ 

Nina Bassoul was a 70s child prodigy. After 40 years of absence, we witness her "Comeback" in a TV series, where she plays a secondary role. This eye-awakening experience makes her realize that she's no longer the star she once was.

Kristian graduated IESAV - USJ in 2013, after directing his first short movie called "The Comeback Of A ‘Has-been’”.

Julien Tavitian – Strangers in the Night 

Beirut, during the civil war. Marie, a young Christian woman walks home drunk. At her arrival, she encounters Omar, a Muslim militia man, who starts harassing her. Little by little, Marie starts taking control of the situation. 

Born and raised in Beirut, Julien studied filmmaking at the ALBA. He is currently completing his masters program in directing and is writing his second short film. 

Inaam Attar – Once Upon A Time… a Dinasour

A voyage with the soul… A sneak peak... A face à face... A distorted poem… A complex relationship between truth and fiction... A story as old as the world… A story of the dinosaur.

Inaam graduated from IESAV-USJ. She has participated in various workshops such as "Journaliste reporter d'images/JRI" and "Cine-Jam". 

Bachar Khattar – Reflection 

A self-reflection in the mirror … a washing machine … and love.

Bachar studied at IESAV - USJ. He was camera assistant on a documentary  "Mercedes", and director of photography on web series. His first short film earned the best cinematography award at the NDU film festival. He is currently working on TV-commercials, TV-programs, Video clips and short documentaries.

Dania Bdeir – Blank

Dania lives in New York where she is getting her MFA at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  

Cherine Khoury – Rot in Hell 

     

A girl's inner rage against abuse meets a de/construction site.

With a degree in film from ALBA, Cherine moved to Montreal where she directed several short films within the film school INIS. She returned to Beirut and started working as an Assitant Director which gave her the opportunity to work along side great professionals like Pierre Morel, Hiam Abbas, Tetsuo Nagato, Michel Amathieu, and Berto. Cherine is now in NYC working as a videographer on fashion and music videos.

Lama Ibrahim – Harka

Lara meets her lover who is travelling for good. She tries to convince him to stay. She creates a situation in her mind whereby she forces him to stay. However, reality checks in and she is left alone. 

After enrolling in Political Science, Lama followed her passion and studied filmmaking at IESAV - USJ. After graduating, Lama took 3 years off as she dealt with personal issues that inspired this film. She considers that she learnt from a failure and made it a success. 

Amir Haffar - Ramadan 

This documentary takes us on a journey with young Ramadan, as we follow him around discovering his passion towards the art of Muay Thai.

Amir graduated from LAU where he discovered his interest in film. 

Elsy Hajjar - I Call It Love

An encounter, a phone call, rain and lightening. 

A love lost in the darkness of a city, Beirut. 

Elsy graduated from USEK. She participated in "Cine-Jam". Cinematography and filmmaking are an intense passion that drives Elsy’s life.

Simon Souaid - Alf Lira W lira

Simon is an ALBA student. 

Cybelle Meghames - Weak Point 

Maya is an overweight 20 year old that is rejected by those around her. This leads her to create an inner world for herself, fantasizing about alternative responses to each humiliating situation.

Cybelle is passionate about filmmaking and the art of performance. She is a fresh graduate from IESAV-USJ. “Weak Point” was her senior project; it was selected in several festivals. 

Mokhtar Beirut – Studio Beirut 

Beirut 1963.  The city is preparing for the next election. Toufik, a young photographer who just inherited his grandfather’s shop, finds his "Studio Beirut" threatened when the mayor of the neighborhood installs the city's first photo booth next door.

Mokhtar is a fashion and portrait photographer. He asserts that his visual style possesses a very personal take on color, light and emotions. He graduated in filmmaking from IESAV - USJ. 

Anthony Chidiac - Mol Y Sol 

Carole and Lama are coworkers who decide to take the day off against all odds to enjoy the summer...on the roof of their building.

After his graduation from IESAV - USJ, Anthony followed the path of independent cinema. He has directed one short fiction and one short documentary during the Danish Exchange program in 2010. He is also a freelancer in the various domains of filmmaking.  

THEATRE PERFORMANCES IN MISHKAL FESTIVAL AT AL MADINA THEATRE 2013

Mohamad Ataya - Inta Meen Inta?

Inta .. meen Inta is a question of identity. Two people are on an isolated desert with no memory of how they got there. They gradually discover the past they are trying to escape, which includes a torturing oppressor. 

Very passionate about the arts, Mohammad is a graduate LAU. He has a BA in Radio TV-Film and a minor in advertising. He has worked on many student and professional film and play productions.

Feyrouz Abou Hassan - The Script

During a run of a play, a group of actors find a script on stage that says exactly what they have been saying. They start questioning it, trying to understand the script.

Feyrouz is a Communication Arts student at LAU, with an emphasis on theatre. She loves acting and is always working on becoming a better actress. 

A devised play supervised by Siham Nasser 

A graduation project in Acting.The Lebanese Institute of Fine Arts -branch 1- 2013. A dramatic ritual dealing with classical literature and cinema. The students chose to work on the following characters: Jean Valjean, King Lear, Lady Macbeth, Jeanne d’ Arc, Van Gogh, Caligula, Medea and Edith Piaf. They did their research on the chosen references hence forth writing their script, acting out their roles and directing as well. A performing arts project that deals with the intensity and passionate intake of the original reference and its dramatic dimension carrying it to another dimension in relation with the upcoming trends of modern art.


Awad Awad - Sdour El 3ammat

This play discusses the social and psychological issues faced by Arab women in a patriarchal society. It tells the story of three women during their life after death, as they wait for their niece Amira to join them. Meanwhile, they are recalling stories from their past.

Awad Awad, a graphic design student at LAU, has been involved in various roles as an actor, set designer, costume designer, light designer and make up artist. He was involved in seventy-two plays, learning from all his experiences on professional and student sets. He has directed two plays, after writing the scripts himself. 

Firas Hamdan & Hassan Zein - Mashi Online

Two strangers meet on the web searching for their identities and remembering their past.

Hassan Zein and Firas Hamdan are LAU graduates. They have a BA in Communication Arts. Radio- Tv-Film. 

Haneen Issa - The Wall 

Two Palestinians, an artist and a searcher, leave their homeland to study abroad. As the graduates return home, they find a wall preventing them from entering their village. A voice from within 'The Wall' convinces them that it is a 'protective fence' saving them from terrorists. The barrier brings conflict to their return and the demolition of 'The Wall' becomes their goal.

Haneen is an actress and director. Graduating from LAU with a degree in Communication Arts, she discovered her love for theatre. She acted in student theatre productions and films. 

Bshara Atallah – Last Minute EDAGY (Ecole des Arts Ghassan Yammine)

Six characters find themselves merged and submerged between the realms of multiple realities and technology. Cynthia the revolutionary, Lara the spiritual, Nassim the sensitive, Ronald the ambiguous, Stephanie the vulnerable, and Yasmina the impatient. Their dreams of a better world bring them to a dead end. In a Last Minute exercise, to break through, they end up on stage.

Bshara has been involved as an actor and dancer on stage and on screen. He is one of the leading wardrobe designers in Lebanon. He handled producing responsibilities as well. He teaches acting at EDAGY. He participated in a colloquium at The University of Georgia. ‘Last Minute’ is a devised performance using texts from different writers including some of the students of EDAGY.  

MUSIC PERFORMANCES IN MISHKAL FESTIVAL AT AL MADINA THEATRE 2013

Maya Hobeika

Maya started her musical career as a member of the LAU choir in 2004.  

Couple of years later she became one of the choir soloists' performing arias by J.S.Bach, Bizet, Mozart, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns and others. Maya represented Lebanon in the "Orient meets Occident" festival in Germany. She is currently pursuing Oud studies. 

In September 2012 performed at Al Madina Theater as part of "Mishkal" festival. The positive feedback she got after the concert encouraged her to produce her own album "WARD”. The launch of the CD will be during MISHKAL13, with a special concert. 

Martin Loyato 

Martin is a composer, trumpeter, improviser, poet, conductor, and visual artist. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed his early studies at the Conservatory Superior of Music in Buenos Aires, received his B.F.A. in Composition and Trumpet Performance at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and received a Ph.D. in Composition at Stony Brook University. Dr. Loyato has composed and performed concert works for electro-acoustic, dance, theatre, choral, orchestra and chamber ensembles, as well as music for television features and advertisements. Among many private commissions from Europe, New Zealand, Asia, North and South America, he has been commissioned to write a children’s musical, En el Fondo de Mar, to benefit poor children in Buenos Aires.

Sami Nassour Trio

A trio of rock, melody and beat, playing classic covers and favorite tunes.

Chris Thomas & Abe Younan – The Duo

Chris and Abe are a new duo, formed to create the perfect rock blues atmosphere. They are unique and weird characters, but with a promise of a sound that will echo for a while. Both performers playing a variety of cover songs for many years. 

Rhéa Dally

Rhéa is a Lebanese-Palestinian musician influenced by classical music growing up. The first instrument she played was the piano at the age of 6. She was fascinated by Nintendo consoles and gaming systems. She discovered 8-bit and chiptune music. That is when she started using the sound chips of vintage computers and video game consoles to produce synthesized electronic music.  

Brushnote 

A live collaborative work between the audience by the pianist, Danny Bou-Maroun, and three painters; Maya Akiki, Darine Semaan, and Clara Chidiac. 

Guru 

Formed in Beirut, Guru is a band whose music does not belong to any particular genre. Influenced by a wide range of artists, from Freddie King and Elmore James to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, Guru blends different styles and ideas into jams and original material. 

FULL PROGRAM of MISHKAL: a youth festival for all arts at Al Madina Theatre 2013

MISHKAL13: A YOUTH FESTIVAL FOR ALL ARTS
at Al Madina Theatre - Hamra, Beirut
17 September – 21 September 2013

مِشكال - MISHKAL

ملتقى الشباب في مسرح المدينة

مهرجان مختلف الفنون 

Al Madina Theatre Association For Arts & Culture 
organizes in partnership with
BEIRUT MUNICIPALITY
& THE BRITISH COUNCIL 
AFPA - AGONISTIK for performing arts

MISHKAL: A YOUTH FESTIVAL FOR ALL ARTS

with the support of
The Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Tourism 

MISHKAL13 APPLICATION FORMS

AL MADINA THEATRE ASSOCIATION FOR ARTS & CULTURE

in collaboration with AFPA (AGONISTIK for performing arts) 

are proud to announce its call for all students in arts, graduates and young 

artists to apply to this year's youth festival in Al Madina Theatre

MISHKAL a youth festival for all arts will hold its second edition in Al Madina 

Theatre from 17th September - 21st September 2013. 

If you are interested in screening your film, exhibiting your sculptures or photographs, performing a dance number or theatrical piece, sharing your music, or reading your poetry then fill out the suitable application forms below!

Deadline for submission is 31 July 2013

Send your application in a few easy steps: 

- Download the application form in the language you wish to communicate in. 

- Edit the document (scan to handwrite, or convert to type) 

- Fill out all your information

- Send us a soft copy to mishkalfestival@gmail.com 

- Drop by Al Madina Theatre to hand in a hard copy 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us on +96170727178 

Mishkal13 French Application

Mishkal13 Arabic Application 

Mishkal13 English Application 

Mike Massy live at MISHKAL: a youth festival for all arts

Mike Massy مايك ماسي
in the Intimate Live Performance
directed by: Nagy Souraty
accompanied by: Marc Abou Naoum (Piano)
مِشكال - MISHKAL 2012
Al Madina Theatre / مسرح المدينة

Mike Massy will be in Concert at the Merkin Concert Hall
in New York City on thursday April 25th 2013

Please find additional info by clicking the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/134479830047652/

Mike Massy Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/mikemassy.officialpage?fref=ts

twitter: @mike_massy

mishkalFESTIVAL Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/255798654520154/?fref=ts

twitter: @mishkalFESTIVAL

Al Madina Theatre Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/113456255342878/?fref=ts

twitter: @almadinaFESTIVAL

Nagy Souraty Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/nagysouraty.official.page?group_id=0

twitter: @nagy_souraty

MISHKALfestival 2012 OPENING CEREMONY

PHOTOS by Alaa Halabi Hakim

Mike Massy's beautiful performance for the opening of MISHKALfestival 2012

MISHKALfestival 2012
ملتقى الشباب في مسرح المدينة
مهرجان مختلف الفنون 
organized by
Al Madina Theatre Association For Arts & Culture
 in partnership with THE EUROPEAN UNION
& AFPA - AGONISTIK for performing art
with the support of
The Lebanese Army
The Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Tourism
The Municipality of Beirut

Web: www.mishkalfestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255798654520154/
Twitter: @MISHKALfestival

MISHKALfestival 2012 FREESTYLE

PHOTOS by Alaa Halabi Hakim

MISHKALfestival 2012
ملتقى الشباب في مسرح المدينة
مهرجان مختلف الفنون 
organized by
Al Madina Theatre Association For Arts & Culture
 in partnership with THE EUROPEAN UNION
& AFPA - AGONISTIK for performing art
with the support of
The Lebanese Army
The Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Tourism
The Municipality of Beirut

Web: www.mishkalfestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255798654520154/
Twitter: @MISHKALfestival