Committee and Institutional History
From its earliest years, the Festival depended on the dedication of individuals who organized performances, supported artists, developed programs, managed its operations, and cultivated relationships with cultural institutions in Lebanon and abroad. Their work, much of it taking place behind the scenes, was essential to establishing the Festival’s reputation and ensuring its continuity over the decades. The records and photographs preserved in the archives offer a glimpse into this less visible but equally important history of Baalbeck, documenting the people, committees, and activities that contributed to the Festival’s growth and evolution.
The Festival’s first Executive Committee, established in 1956, consisted of twelve members who played a central role in laying the organizational foundations of the newly established Festival. The committee was composed of Aimée Kettaneh, President; Salwa Es-Said; Nina Jidejian; May Arida; Salim Haidar; Khalil Hibri; Jean Skaff; Samir Souki; Elie Abou Jaoudé; Dr. Fouad Sarrouf; and Camille Aboussouan, Their collective efforts helped establish the administrative and cultural framework within which the Festival could develop its ambitious program of music, theatre, dance, and international performances.
Leadership played an especially important role in shaping the Festival’s identity and ensuring its continuity through periods of significant cultural and political change. From its establishment in 1956, the Baalbeck International Festival has been guided by a succession of dedicated cultural leaders whose vision and commitment helped shape its development and lasting legacy:
- Aimée Kettaneh (1956–1968), Founding President
- Salwa Es-Said (1969–1972)
- May Arida (1973–2010)
- Nayla De Freige (2011–present)
Each president brought her own vision, networks, and priorities to the Festival, while building upon the foundations established by those who came before. Together, these successive administrations helped sustain the Festival’s artistic ambitions, strengthen its international profile, and preserve its position as a major cultural institution in Lebanon.
The history of Baalbeck, therefore, is not only a history of celebrated performances and renowned artists. It is also a history of the people who worked to make those performances possible—the committees, presidents, organizers, cultural figures, and supporters whose commitment shaped the Festival behind the scenes. Their legacy is preserved in the archival record, providing an important dimension to the story of Baalbeck and its enduring place in Lebanon’s cultural history.