Founded in 2001 by Sharif Sehnaoui and Mazen Kerbaj, Irtijal is currently the oldest music festival of Beirut city. Its wide musical range includes experimental music, free jazz, free improvisation, contemporary music, noise and free rock as well as other forms of innovative music-making.

Kerbaj created the visual identity of the festival and designed all the posters and flyers between 2001 and 2014; since 2015, all the communication material for the festival is designed by Studio Safar, in collaboration with Kerbaj who creates the main visual each year.

Irtijal is organized by MILL, 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 turn 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.

More information about the festival can be found at www.irtijal.org

On the three nights I attended, artists played to a quasi-packed theater. Unique in the Middle East, the festival is quickly becoming a staple of the international experimental music scene attracting an increasingly international lineup and ever-larger crowds.
With its diverse lineup, Irtijal’s main strength remains making such music accessible and offering it in a laid back setting. Artists hung out with the crowd between shows, some even showed a few strings to aspiring young musicians; Mr. Sehnaoui’s mom was on hand every night clapping enthusiastically at the end of each set while Mr. Kerbaj’s eight year old son helped out at the concessions stand one night.
[CNN – Rym Momtaz, covering Irtijal 2009.

At the heart of Irtijal is a desire to promote interaction between foreign and local artists. The festival asks musicians to think beyond not only their instruments and training, but also their culture. Above all, Irtijal is about creating a home for improvisation in Lebanon, where artists from across the world can mingle ideas and passions.
[The Daily Star – Jim Quilty, covering Irtijal 2011]

L’apothéose dans laquelle s’achève le Festival Irtijal ( improvisation  en arabe) ressemble à ces moments de pure jouissance sonore qui surgissent parfois de la rencontre entre des musiciens d’improvisation libre. Ce qui rend les rend si intenses, c’est leur côté éphémère et incertain. Et le fait qu’ils soient entourés de longues phases d’expérimentation, aussi éloignées que possible des sentiers battus de la musique commerciale environnante.
[Le Courrier – Emmanuel Hadda, covering Irtijal 2015]