In spite of ongoing clashes and frequent acts of terrorism in Benghazi, organizers of an annual city festival here decided to carry on with the tradition.

It is a nice festival,” said Amal Hajj, head of the Gallery Committee, which supervised the eight-day ‘Here is Benghazi’, held on January 9 in the Sanabel Children Theatre (SCT) in downtown Benghazi. The festival included a variety of activities such as a book fair, plays, poetry and story readings, a classic car fair, paintings, photography exhibition. “It brought people together,” said Haj.

In spite of ongoing clashes and frequent acts of terrorism in Benghazi, organizers of an annual city festival here decided to carry on with the tradition.

It is a nice festival,” said Amal Hajj, head of the Gallery Committee, which supervised the eight-day ‘Here is Benghazi’, held on January 9 in the Sanabel Children Theatre (SCT) in downtown Benghazi. The festival included a variety of activities such as a book fair, plays, poetry and story readings, a classic car fair, paintings, photography exhibition. “It brought people together,” said Haj.

The venue however was not far from clashes between the army of the internationally recognized Council of Deputies, and armed groups, including Ansar al-Sharia, the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries and groups affiliated with the Islamic State.

Hajj however said she was happy that people welcomed the festival and the participation of artists and publishing houses. She said flower shops also participated because they wanted to show that Benghazi was still alive. “People from outside the city were surprised,” said Hajj, because of what they already had in mind about Benghazi and its war.”

But this year, the laughter of the festival’s attendees were louder than the sounds of gunshots, according to Hajj, although there was no anti-missile system to protect people from the mortar shells that have killed dozens of civilians over the past few months.

From war to peace

“People and intellectuals have not met for a while and culture has been absent from Benghazi,” said Sadeq Assoussi, head of the Benghazi Information and Culture Office (BICO) – the organizing agency. “The festival seeks to stress that the crisis does not prevent cultural events. Benghazi still has its bright side of culture and creativity.”

Saving the festival

Turning wishes into a reality was no easy task. Had it not been for a Benghazi resident who donated LYD 2,000 (US $1,445) for the organizers, the festival would have been called off. Later, said Assoussi, the BICO received LYD 38,000 (US $27,450) from the Benghazi Municipal Council and the Central Bank of Libya, which helped hold the festival.

Hajj said that the festival faced many obstacles. “Electricity went out on opening day because the power plant in northern Benghazi was bombed,” she recalled. “The organizers however continued the festival without electricity or loudspeakers. They turned on the lights of their mobile phones, which added an impromptu effect.”

Assoussi praised the work of BICO staff and the participants in the festival, saying they handmade and bought equipment, which helped save costs. He said most organizers were volunteers and that the actors and bands minimized their fees to make the festival possible.

Fighting war with culture

Fifty poets alongside a number of authors participated in the festival’s Week of Poetry and Story, which addressed several national and literary issues. Fifteen plays were performed in the SCT and in the National Theatre. The organizers hope to extend the activities of the festival for an entire year to feature unique performances in other Libyan cities.

Motaz Ben Hamid, a 30-year-old painter and filmmaker, participated with several paintings in the festival. He said the festival was a bold move in light of the crisis in the city.

Rabih Baraassi, 55, is the owner of a bookstore in the Hout Market district in downtown Benghazi, which is now a war zone. He was happy when people were attracted to his books during the festival. He sold his books at reduced prices to support the festival.

Varying views

Although the festival was created out of nothing and most assumed it would be cancelled, people had different views about whether or not it was the time or place to hold such a festival.

Ali Makhlouf, 42, was happy with the organization of this event. The slogan of the festival, he said, explained why it was held: “It proves that Benghazi is alive, constant and resilient and its daily and cultural life, though viewed by some as extravagant and luxurious, will continue.”

Youssef Mansour, 31, from Tripoli thought the absence of solutions for the cultural and social situation in the city made the festival appear very traditional unlike what it was supposed to be. He was shocked by the offering of “dangerous books” in the festival that had references for extremists at a time when Benghazi is fighting terrorism. “Benghazi needs a lot of work so that it could be back on its bright cultural path,” he maintains.

Some Benghazi citizens posted sentiment of disapproval on social media, saying it was not the time to hold such activities since so many residents from Benghazi were suffering from the war or have been displaced.