BEIRUT — In Hamra, the commercial and diplomatic center of Beirut, passersby could hear the singing of 20 Syrian and Lebanese children, who were practicing for their concert during the Global Week for Syria festival, which took place on June 28-July 5.
“Each Saturday morning since January, these children have been practicing with Syrian oud player Mohanad Nasser to sing traditional songs,” Mona Yaacouli, a local coordinator for the French association Yalla! pour les Enfants, told Al-Monitor. The choir, which is accompanied by Syrian and local musicians, is made up of Syrian refugee children and local youngsters living in the Lebanese village of Aley.