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In a testament to resilience and cultural pride, Caracalla Dance Theater represented Lebanon at the Beijing Forum for Performing Arts 2024. Honoring its roots in Baalbeck’s ancient grandeur, Caracalla strengthened its international ties and celebrated Lebanon’s artistic heritage on a global stage.
Amid Lebanon's ongoing challenges, Caracalla Dance Theater recently showcased its enduring strength and cultural pride on the world stage. Invited to represent Lebanon at Beijing Forum for Performing Arts (BFPA) 2024, held at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, Caracalla joined over 60 arts institutions from across the globe, including those from the USA, UK, France, Japan, and Oman. This gathering of international talent highlighted Caracalla’s role as a cultural bridge, bringing Lebanon’s artistic identity into the global spotlight.
Global Convergence at Beijing’s NCPA
This year’s Beijing Forum for Performing Arts, an annual event in China, welcomed representatives from 60 performing arts organizations spanning 30 countries and six continents. Recognizing Caracalla’s artistic achievements, NCPA President Wang Ning signed an MOU with Ivan Caracalla, director of the theatre, fostering artistic collaborations and promoting cultural relations between China and Lebanon.
Caracalla’s Role as a Lebanese Cultural Ambassador
As a prominent Lebanese arts institution, Caracalla Dance Theatre also gathered with fellow members of the World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) to enhance its engagement with the global arts community. Ivan Caracalla delivered a speech highlighting Caracalla’s contributions to performing arts, discussing themes such as sustainable cultural development, nurturing young talent, and expanding the role of arts in building a brighter future.
A Symbolic Gesture to Celebrate Baalbeck’s Heritage
In a gesture symbolizing friendship and cultural exchange, Ivan Caracalla presented Xu Rui, president of the Beijing Dance Academy, with a book about the Baalbeck International Festival and the historic city of Baalbeck. This exchange celebrated Lebanon’s rich heritage and strengthened the bond between Caracalla Dance Theater and its international counterparts, emphasizing the power of cultural diplomacy amid challenging times.
An Internationally Renowned Repertoire
With a repertoire of over twenty ballets and musicals, Caracalla Dance Theater has performed on prestigious stages worldwide, including the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, Carnegie Hall in New York, and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. The company has also appeared at renowned venues in London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Frankfurt, as well as at iconic festivals like Baalbeck and Beiteddine.
Caracalla’s body of work includes adaptations of Shakespearean classics such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, each infused with the unique Caracalla dance style that merges Eastern tradition with Western technique. Through its performances, Caracalla continues to elevate Lebanese culture on the global stage, embodying the spirit of Baalbeck and carrying Lebanon’s artistic legacy forward.
Caracalla: A Legacy Rooted in Baalbeck's Timeless Spirit
Caracalla Dance Theatre’s legacy continues to rise above Lebanon's instabilities and geopolitical challenges, spreading its artistic wings internationally while preserving Lebanon’s vibrant cultural identity. This creative journey, shaped by Caracalla’s internationally celebrated work, pays homage to Baalbeck, the site of remarkable Roman ruins and one of the world’s best-preserved temple complexes. These colossal structures, built over two centuries, stand as a testament to the grandeur and resilience of the Roman Empire.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Abdel Halim Caracalla shared with Nayla Tueini in an interview, “Baalbeck taught me passion. It showed me to love the beauty of nature, human beings, and animals. It also taught me silence to meditate and discover the elements of beauty. Our neighbors built our home. It was the first home to be constructed outside Baalbeck’s borders.”
This deep-rooted connection to Baalbeck, the "city of the sun" with its everlasting columns, reflects the Caracalla family’s profound love for dance — a love enshrined in a place that defies time, space, and the constraints of human narrow-mindedness.
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