YVT Consultancy recently wrapped up the first edition of Creative Dialogues in Beirut, which took place from June 15 to 18. The thoughtfully curated program spanned various locations across the city and comprised a carefully selected guest list from Lebanon and the Arab region. The ultimate aim of this edition was to connect with the creative scene in Beirut, sparking conversations among the creatives participating in the project while linking them to new ideas, projects and markets in the region.
While the very first edition started in Beirut, Creative Dialogues aims to take the concept on tour to unite Arab creatives across the region, with events in Egypt and Tunisia scheduled for later this year. Each event will have its own theme. The theme for the Beirut edition was Future Voices, chosen to present the narrative of Beirut in a distinct way, from the perspective of the crises it has faced. The event was held in Beirut, a long-standing hub for cultural activity in the Middle East, as a first step toward expanding the creative ecosystem throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Central Africa. The goal is to bring out the talents in these regions and integrate them into broader projects.
Building this creative ecosystem also involved highlighting the creative talent in Lebanon, particularly given the challenging circumstances faced in recent years. The initiative aims to provide opportunities and rekindle hope for individuals who have experienced significant trauma, connecting with them on a deep level, understanding their strengths and weaknesses and helping expose them to new markets.
The Creative Dialogues program was curated through a series of talks on multiple topics and visits to local partners aimed at gaining a wider understanding of their work processes. Over four days, participants visited four museums (Mim Mineral Museum, Sursock Museum, Beirut National Museum, and Beit Beirut for the allô Beirut exhibition), as they partnered with Waraq, Alternative Beirut, Beit Toureef to further explore Beirut, its vision and its communities. The creatives also had the chance to visit multiple galleries and artist studios to explore their work and exhibitions. Each day featured a prominent topic, including the art of nation-building, the impact of film, creative journeys and building creative strategies. These talks fostered interactive conversations that resonated throughout the four-day event.
Diversifying the attendee criteria for the first edition, 70% were from Lebanon, representing various disciplines such as art, photography, film, journalism, marketing, metaverse, food, research, graphic design, brand strategy, tourism and heritage. The remaining attendees were creatives living and working in the region. The gathering of individuals from different disciplines within the creative industry resulted in rich outcomes as they brainstormed creative solutions to common challenges.
Attendees transitioned from being introverted and reserved to becoming more open and engaging in conversations, largely due to the event’s immersive nature. Over four days, people got to know each other over meals, in workshops, and during discussions in galleries and museums.
The event was inspiring in numerous ways, both looking forward to the future and celebrating the region’s rich creative scene for Lebanese and Arab creatives.
