Emily O'Dell in the ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon this week
Last week, I found myself on the road, taking some folks to visit Sidon/Saida, Baalbek, Jeita Grotto, Beiteddine, Zahle, Ksara, and a host of other spectacular sites in Lebanon. These photos were taken while peacefully visiting the extraordinary ruins of Baalbek, which is 10 miles from the Syrian border. Several days ago, organizers of Baalbek’s annual international music festival, which is usually held under the enormous columns of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, announced that they will be changing the venue to another location, since 18 rockets and mortar rounds fired from Syria have reportedly hit Baalbek this month.
Emily O'Dell in the Temple of Jupiter at Baalbek
But the show must go on! So the Baalbek Festival, which has featured the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Sting will be opening on August 9th–possibly in Beirut. Other cultural festivals like the ones held in Byblos and the breathtaking Beiteddine Palace–a jewel of architecture perched in the pine forest of the Chouf Mountains–will go ahead as scheduled. The Beiteddine Festival starts on Friday, so get your tickets today!
