Annual Taybeh Fest kicks off this weekend with entertainment and cultural pride in Palestine. Taybeh is one of the last remaining Christian villages in the Middle East and is an example of coexistence with Muslims and others in an environment of oppression. The festival shows that Palestinians will not give up on their pride, heritage and showcasing the best they have to offer
Nadim Khoury and David Khoury, co-founders of Taybeh Brewing Company announce the remarkable 12th annual Taybeh Oktoberfest at the Taybeh Brewery, 1pm -10 pm, Saturday and Sunday, September 24 – 25, 2016.
The festival has become one of the most popular events in the region since 2005 when it was initiated collaboratively while David Canaan Khoury was serving as mayor of Taybeh.
Following the Oktoberfest reception, the special guest of the opening will be Speed Sister Betty Saadeh, from the first all woman race car driving team. Taybeh is the number one destination for cultural experience with a rich diverse platform for different artists.
There is something for everyone ranging from national patriotic dance, to jazz, rock, hip-hop, rap, face painting, storytelling and anything you can think of to please the young at heart. The must experience event of the year and the most amazing place to be in Palestine!
Entertainment will include the Duo Aliada from Austria and the Superstar Laith Abu Joda from Egypt who won best rising singer in the Arab Word (2015). A return of diverse all time favorites like DAM-Palestinian Hip-Hop; El Container / Rock Rap; Dave/Rapper – Composer who recorded his first album –Adrenalin; MINA Band – Palestinian Traditional Music w/Nazal Zanayed; Ramallah Band w/Jack Tanous; Al Raseef band which includes fusion between Arabic & Balkan music and Al Rowwad Cultural & Theater Society. New talent includes Rasha Nahas from Haifa and Singer/Composer Antranik Emerezian; Layali Al Tarab with Noura Qassis from Bethlehem and the American-Palestinian Hip Hop Duo from Nablus; Abu Baker will film a video clip with hip-hop and rap.
Children’s activities are maximized with Disney characters, clowns, face painting, puppet making and storytelling. Art Movement with the Brothers – juggling and fire breathing. Al Harrah Theater from Beit Jala will show off their Giant Puppets in a parade and a handful of dabkeh traditional dance groups including Spafford Children’s Center will teach the crowds the national dance. Ziad Anani from Zawyeh Gallery in Ramallah will inspire visitors to illustrate their feelings under the theme “Express Yourself in Taybeh.”
Visitors can escape the crowds and view local art exhibits at the lobby of the Taybeh Golden Hotel by prominent Palestinian artists, Sliman Mansour, Nabil Anani, and Tayseer Barakat. The highlight of the day will be the beer competition with the only female brewer Madees Khoury. Taybeh Oktoberfest brings you everything! It is the perfect way to spend your weekend in Palestine.
About Taybeh and Taybeh Fest:
The Taybeh Brewing Company has been welcoming people from all corners of the world to celebrate Oktoberfest every year since 2005 whenDavid Khoury become the first democratically elected Mayor of Taybeh. The Taybeh Oktoberfest is a dream come true for Nadim Khoury, master brewer, who inspired the Taybeh Municipality and all local civic organizations to collaborate in boosting the collapsed local economy and placing Taybeh on the international map. This unique event has been called the highlight of Palestine reaching over sixteen thousand visitors annually. The exquisite hills and valleys of the village offer the perfect escape from any busy schedule for all international and local people who come to support local products and boost the economy while celebrating the deep cultural heritage offered by one of the most ancient spots in Palestine also known by its Biblical name, Ephraim.
For more information contact Nadim Khoury/David Khoury, email: Khourymaria@hotmail.com.The two-day celebration usually happens on the first Saturday and Sunday of October (excluding religious holidays) and gives venue to local music groups to celebrate their talent and skills in promoting a different face of Palestine. Artists from Brazil, Germany, Greece, Spain, England, Sri Lanka, and Japan have performed in the last eight years in Taybeh.
Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.
Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).
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