Hundreds participated in a carnival on April 16 that launched “Benghazi is the Libyan Capital of Culture – 2013.” A parade started from Tahrir Square in downtown Benghazi, Eastern Libya, proceeded along Independence Street and ending at Tibesti Hotel. The carnival featured various activities, such as paratrooper landings, helicopters, the release of 150 balloons into the sky, and fireworks.

Hundreds participated in a carnival on April 16 that launched “Benghazi is the Libyan Capital of Culture – 2013.” A parade started from Tahrir Square in downtown Benghazi, Eastern Libya, proceeded along Independence Street and ending at Tibesti Hotel. The carnival featured various activities, such as paratrooper landings, helicopters, the release of 150 balloons into the sky, and fireworks.

Participants lit thousands of candles forming “Benghazi is Free” and “Libya is Free” phrases on the surface of Lake Tibesti, in downtown Benghazi whose streets were decorated with photos of figures that have had a significant impact on the city’s political and cultural history.

Despite a large number of weapons in the Libyan population, none were visible at the festival.

Director of Benghazi’s Culture Center and Chairman of the Project Higher Committee, writer Muhammad Misallati, said, “The Project features theatrical performances, concerts, popular songs, book and painting exhibitions, heritage and popular collectible fairs, documentary footages and cultural seminars.”

He also explained that these cultural activities would start at the beginning of next May and continue up until the end of the year.

Benghazi is the first Libyan city with this title, due to its symbolic and effective role in modern and contemporary Libyan history. Having been approved by the former interim government, this project has been created to engage the Ministry of Culture and civil society in organizing cultural activities in towns and cities across Libya where each year a different place will be awarded the designation of Libya’s Capital of Culture.