“3al Libnani festival” This festival, organized by MARCH, on Sunday 16th of February 2025, brilliantly transformed the old demarcation lines of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh into a vibrant space for celebration and unity! Stretching along Syria Street, between the neighborhoods of Tebbaneh and Jabal, this event was a collaborative effort with the Lebanese Army, Lebanese university and the municipality of Tripoli.

One of the highlights of the festival was the play “What Brings Us Together is More Important,” performed by young people from Tripoli and Beirut, bringing together former fighters from different sects in Tripoli and young people from diverse regions and sects in Beirut. The play, which touched the conscience with its message about coexistence and breaking prejudices, confirmed that the new Lebanon will only be built on understanding and love, not on fear of the other.

Also, great artist and actor Salah Tizanai aka Abou Salim was honored for a lifetime achievemnt  during the event.

The festival was launched with the aim of fostering a sense of bonding and acceptance between the neighboring areas, which had seen nearly a decade of conflict and division. Nonetheless, in 2014, the implementation of the security plan by the Lebanese Army, marked by mass arrests, resulted in tensions between the communities and the army and trust in the security institutions waned. As a response, and as part of MARCH’s efforts in building bridges between communities and security institutions, the festival sought to rebuild relationships between these communities and between them and the army, featuring a diverse array of unique military and artistic performances.

At last, the “3al Libnani Festival” is a testament to the power of unity and shared celebrations in mending divides and promoting harmony within a community. It serves as an example of how even after years of conflict, reconciliation is achievable through collaborative efforts and a shared vision of a brighter future. Together, we can indeed celebrate and build a better, more secure Tripoli.