Irtijal

Irtijal Founded in 2001, Irtijal is currently the oldest music festival of Beirut city. Its wide musical ran

Irtijal is a non-profit association founded in 2000 by musicians Mazen Kerbaj and Sharif Sehnaoui, with the intent of promoting contemporary and experimental practices in music, and assisting projects that do not fit within the Lebanese mainstream, yet still present undeniable artistic value. The 20th century has witnessed a strong worldwide spread of new and alternative musical styles, which in t

urn constitute an important aspect of the historical evolution of music as an art form. MILL was created to boost and support these practices in Lebanon: free improvisation, free jazz, contemporary classical music, post-rock, experimental electronic music, sound-art as well as many other attempts to explore new and uncharted territories in sound. In the same manner, and thanks to the importance of Beirut on the cultural map of the Arab world, we strive to extend these ideas to neighboring Arab countries. With a keen eye on these practices, Irtijal is a yearly meeting that focuses on presenting works by both local and foreign artists, all the while encouraging interaction between them. The festival does not confine itself to any specific style or genre of music, but rather tries to advocate an experimental and innovative approach to each and every genre it showcases. Irtijal has achieved considerable growth during its 15 years of existence, going from a one-day festival in 2001 to 4-6 days since 2003; the number of concerts has grown from 4 to 20, while that of international guest artists from 5 to 30. Over the past 15 years Irtijal has unquestionably inscribed itself as the main annual event for new and innovative music in the Lebanese artistic scene, and is rightly considered as the largest structure of its kind in the Arab world.

In light of the current circumstances in Lebanon and the ongoing attacks on the country, we have decided to postpone the...
03/04/2026

In light of the current circumstances in Lebanon and the ongoing attacks on the country, we have decided to postpone the 26th edition of Irtijal, which was scheduled to take place this April. New dates will be announced later this year.

For 26 years, Irtijal has taken place around the month of April as a space for listening, gathering, and exchange. This year, however, we feel that this moment calls first and foremost for solidarity with the people of Lebanon, especially with more than 1.5 million displaced by the violence till this date.

As we postpone the festival, we also want to direct attention to the following grassroots initiatives, which are working to provide relief and support to displaced communities across Lebanon. Those who are able to contribute are encouraged to do so.

Thank you for your understanding and continuous support.
aam





نظرًا للظروف الراهنة التي يمر بها لبنان والاعتداءات المستمرة على البلاد، قررنا تأجيل الدورة السادسة والعشرين من مهرجان ارتجال، ‏والتي كان من المقرر أن تُقام خلال شهر نيسان. سيتم الإعلان عن المواعيد الجديدة لاحقًا هذا العام.

على مدى ستة وعشرين عامًا، شكّل ارتجال موعدًا سنويًا ومساحةً للإصغاء واللقاء والتبادل. أما هذا العام، فنشعر أن ما تشهده البلاد يستدعي قبل كل شيء الوقوف إلى جانب‏ ‏أكثر من مليون ونصف مليون شخص نزحوا حتى الساعة بسبب العدوان.

ومع إعلان تأجيل المهرجان، نود أيضًا أن نسلّط الضوء على المبادرات الواردة أعلاه، التي تعمل على تقديم الإغاثة والدعم للمجتمعات النازحة في مختلف أنحاء لبنان. ندعو كل من لديه القدرة إلى المساهمة في دعمها.

شكرًا لتفهمكم ودعمكم المستمر.

The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.Day 3 - Saturday April 5 - Mkalles Warehouse - 8:30pm ...
01/04/2025

The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.
Day 3 - Saturday April 5 - Mkalles Warehouse - 8:30pm - Entrance $30-35.
Cáilkurda &

daou13
& @khaled3omran
DJ Sets


  - The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.Day 2 - Friday April 4 -   - 8:30pm - Entrance $25...
01/04/2025

- The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.
Day 2 - Friday April 4 - - 8:30pm - Entrance $25.

&

/ Sehnaoui / Gołebiewski

  - The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.Day 1 -Thursday April 3 - Metro Al Madina - 8:30pm...
01/04/2025

- The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.
Day 1 -Thursday April 3 - Metro Al Madina - 8:30pm - Entrance $25-30.
Vrba/Nicodemou/Abi Abdallah
Frédéric D. Oberland
SANAM + Ghazi Moumneh
Renata’s Vinyl Sound Exploration

  - The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.April 3rd to April 5th, 2025 at Beirut Art Center ...
22/03/2025

- The 25th International Festival for Experimental Music in Lebanon.
April 3rd to April 5th, 2025 at Beirut Art Center Metro Al Madina Frequent Defect . (Detailed program soon).
with
Frédéric D. Oberland | Sanam + Radwan Ghazi Moumneh | Caìl | Renata’s Vinyl Sound Exploration | Shatr |Gregory Dargent & Makram Aboul Hosn | Joy Moughanni | Vrba/Nicodemou/Abi Abdallah | Kerbaj/Sehnaoui/Gołebiewski |Hardi Kurda & Werner Hasler | Chronic Tension | Safa | NÂR | Zaki & Khaled Omran | Rénata Sabella | Try Harder | june as
Poster by Hatem Imam and Kerbaj

The latest release by our friends at Al Maslakh Records gets a well-deserved nod from The Attic.
17/08/2024

The latest release by our friends at Al Maslakh Records gets a well-deserved nod from The Attic.

Album of the Day: Thuluth [Magda Mayas, Ute Wassermann & Raed Yassin] - One Third Of The Sun (Al Maslakh Records)

*Featured in Staff Picks - July 2024: https://theatticmag.com/news/2464/staff-picks-_-july-2024.html

Thuluth (arabic for one third) is a Berlin-based acoustic ensemble featuring Magda Mayas on piano and objects, Ute Wassermann on voice and objects, and Raed Yassin on double bass and objects. The members of the group have collaborated in different contexts for many years prior to their first trio performance, which took place at Irtijal Festival in Beirut in 2016. During this initial performance, they immediately felt that they would continue to work together, due to a deep sonic trust and longstanding personal friendships, allowing them to explore their music intuitively.

Today our friends and colleagues at Al Maslakh Records release not one, but two new outstanding albums of 21st century e...
05/07/2024

Today our friends and colleagues at Al Maslakh Records release not one, but two new outstanding albums of 21st century experimental music.

First up is FUCHSIA FEVER (mslkh027), the first full-length album by HIC UP.
Hic Up is a Berlin-based experimental quartet composed of Marina Cyrino (amplified flute), Tony Elieh (bass, electronics), Matthias Francisco Koole (guitar, electronics), and JD Zazie (turntable, CDJs).

All music composed and performed by Hic Up.
Recorded live by Rabih Beaini at Morphine Raum, Berlin, in October 2022.
Mixed and mastered by Emygdio Costa, in Rio de Janeiro.

Second is ONE THIRD OF THE SUN (mslkh028), the first album by THULUTH.
They are a trio composed of Magda Mayas (piano, objects), Ute Wassermann (voice, objects), and Raed Yassin (double bass, objects).

All music composed and performed by Thuluth.
Recorded by Rabih Beaini at Morphine Raum, Berlin, on January 5th, 2022.
Mixed and mastered by Joe Talia in Berlin.

Both albums come in a limited edition of 300 CD's, with design by the one and only Mazen Kerbaj.

Currently streaming and shipping via Al Maslakh’s Bandcamp page:
https://almaslakh.bandcamp.com/

  - Day 4 @ Frequent DefectGregory DargentRadwan Ghazi Moumneh & Anthony SahyounAtoui / Nicodemou / Rizkallah Abi Abdall...
11/04/2024

- Day 4 @ Frequent Defect
Gregory Dargent
Radwan Ghazi Moumneh & Anthony Sahyoun
Atoui / Nicodemou / Rizkallah

Abi Abdallah / / Saoma /june as
Try Harder & Rhea Dally
DJ Sets:

DAO
june as
Performances start at 20:30
Entrance 15-20$

  - Day 4 @ Frequent Defect   & Anthony SahyounAtoui / Nicodemou / Rizkallah Abi Abdallah /   / Saoma /june asTry Harder...
10/04/2024

- Day 4 @ Frequent Defect

& Anthony Sahyoun
Atoui / Nicodemou / Rizkallah

Abi Abdallah / / Saoma /june as
Try Harder & Rhea Dally
DJ Sets:
Renata
DAO
june as
Performances start at 20:30
Entrance 15-20$

  - Day 3  kad  &  SPAM (  /   /   /  )Chaar /   /  Performances start at 20:30Entrance 10$ (MORE OR LESS)
09/04/2024

- Day 3 kad &
SPAM ( / / / )
Chaar / /
Performances start at 20:30
Entrance 10$ (MORE OR LESS)

  - Day 2 @ Frequent Defect Panagiotis Mina  &  DJ Set: Jawad NawfalPerformances start at 20:30Entrance 10$ (MORE OR LES...
09/04/2024

- Day 2 @ Frequent Defect

Panagiotis Mina
&
DJ Set: Jawad Nawfal
Performances start at 20:30
Entrance 10$ (MORE OR LESS)

  - Day 1  The Mad Laboratory of Anti Matter (  & .daou13  )  &    (  & )Performances start at 20:30Entrance 10$ (MORE O...
08/04/2024

- Day 1
The Mad Laboratory of Anti Matter ( & .daou13 )
&
( & )
Performances start at 20:30
Entrance 10$ (MORE OR LESS)

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Beirut

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