On summer festivals: Absence of a central authority breeds unnecessary competition

In its edition of Saturday, As Safir newspaper reported on a study undertaken by Information International on Lebanon’s summer festivities. The study, which showed a prolific season across the various Lebanese towns and villages with various performances, shows, plays, concerts and art as well as, artisan exhibitions, stressed the popularity of such events which generate an acceptable economic output amidst the significant recession in the country. The above survey, As Safir wrote, classified the festivals into three different categories: local, characterized by a limited audience from the town and its neighbourhood inhabitants; and national festivities, involving national bands and is attended by dozens of spectators from across the country, For its part international festivals (a handful in number), normally host local as well as, Arab and foreign bands and are attended by a larger audience from Lebanon and the world. The study pointed out that in the absence of a central authority and of coordination, administrators of similar events boast their private vision, hence tend to act independently, thus resulting in unnecessary and negative competition, which also leads to the fall in the number of guests, The study referred to several overlapping events in the summer 2016. As for the audience, the study estimated the total number of visitors at 215 thousand guests until the end of August, down by 5 thousand from last year. On financial returns, the study was not able to provide any clear figures however it pointed out that some of the festivals has insisted that they had zero-profit. Others even suffered losses due to the increasing costs, particularly involving the wages of foreign teams, and the considerable associated levies, which forced them to seek high interest bank loans that consumed most of the proceeds. (For more information about the study in Arabic, please check the link:  https://assafir.com/Article/1/516497 )( As Safir, November 5, 2016)