Rising to the challenge of sponsoring cultural events with a distinctive twist, BSL strives to introduce to the public novel sensations and promising young talents while offering a platform for cultural and artistic exchanges.
LIBANWORLD
As an active supporter of innovative projects, cultural initiatives and global interaction, Société Nouvelle de la Banque de Syrie et du Liban (BSL) always presents events that reach out to a discerning audience.
In this spirit, BSL sponsored the creation of LibanWorld, a unique program that celebrates world music with an emphasis on bringing young international talents to Lebanon. In promoting this initiative that was launched in 2008, BSL has contributed to the enrichment of the local musical scene and promoted an experience of openness and exploration. BSL sponsorship program is still going strong with many remarkable events in store in the future; while focusing on delivering an intimate and personal touch, giving all the events the feel of a private concert.
BSL has hosted so far numerous young world music performers and introduced them to the Lebanese public:
This captivating young jazz pianist is considered to be one of Cuban music's most promising talent. Entrancing audiences from a surprising young age, Fonseca, born in 1975, is well-known thanks to his tours and performances with Ibrahim Ferrer and the Buena Vista Social Club. He now travels the world with his own orchestra, sharing his splendid album "Zamazu" with keen audiences on the most prestigious stages. Respected internationally for his memorable playing and ear for music, Roberto Fonseca's musical gift will pave the way to a promising career.
Since his musical debut in 1972, Bonga has been a great figure on the African music scene. Bonga's gravelly voice, tinged with melancholy and sensuality, sings the hope of a population and an entire continent. Originally from Angola, this unique pop singer and songwriter is one of World Music's inventors and still remains the most emblematic semba artist (Angolan music which is the predecessor of Brazilian samba). From star athlete to exile and talent par excellence, Bonga has released over 30 albums. In the 1970s, he was the first artist to record the Cape Verde ballad "Sodade", later popularized by Cesaria Evora.
While it was challenging for BSL to introduce this type of music to the Lebanese scene, this cultural interaction between Lebanon and Africa proved to be a success.
Whenever Rokia Traoré performs in Paris, the famous Olympia concert hall is fully booked. Traoré started to vocalize her talent on the international scene in the late 1990s and today is praised as the true Ambassador of World Music. Hailing from Mali in Africa, Rokia Traoré is a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter and winner of the Victoire de la Musique for Best World Music Album "Tchamantche" at the Victoires de la Musique 2009. Traoré's haunting voice and rhythmic lyrics came to the attention of the international public thanks to the success of her previous album, "BOWMBOI", which is deeply rooted in Mali's traditional music.
This inspiring event was made possible with the collaboration of the French Embassy.
AL BUSTAN FESTIVAL 2010
In keeping with its role as a caring patron of cultural events and projects, BSL proudly presented the second week functions of Al Bustan Festival 2010.
Since its founding in 1994, Al Bustan Festival has established a unique and unprecedented tradition of a music season in Lebanon's winter. The festival presents more than thirty performances each year over a five-week period in February and March. With a predominance of chamber music, the festival also includes opera, orchestral concerts, choral concerts, dance, marionnettes and theatre, all in a rich and homogenous combination under the umbrella of a special theme, such as celebrating the culture of a country or a city, or exploring a particular subject.
ADEATERS NIGHT
BSL proudly sponsored the ADEATERS NIGHT, which took place at the UNESCO Palace on the 8th and 9th of November 2008, in the framework of its mission to encourage young talent.
The ADEATERS NIGHT is an international tour that presents new advertising films from all around the world, allowing the audience to discover the creative usage of language and image, thus experiencing the art of living in different countries. This annual event, which started in 1981, is presented in 47 countries. With more than 6 hours of advertising projections, the ADEATERS NIGHT targets an informed public of cinema and advertising enthusiasts, which is continuously growing and getting more involved in this innovative art scene.
BEITEDDINE FESTIVAL 2010
In 2010, the Beiteddine Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary… born during the war, in 1995, the festival has developed, with time, into an international event, and is today the most attended festival in the region, drawing tens of thousands of spectators every summer into the palace’s beautiful courtyards. A BSL is a firm support of Beiteddine Festival that initiates a space of encounters for all those who believe that Culture and Art have a fundamental role to play in the development of the society.
GEOFFREY SABA - PIANO CONCERT
Exclusive concert-Thursday 13, Friday 14 and Sunday 16 November, 2010
Geoffrey Saba is a classical Lebanese Australian concert pianist. He has lived in England for over thirty years. In the 1970's he made his London début and was awarded a bronze medal at the First Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition.
On the occasion of the bicentenary of Chopin, BSL as an avid and active supporter of cultural concerts, proudly sponsored the three performances of Geoffrey Saba in Beirut, Tripoli and Zahlé.