Now that the eclipse is over and done with what's the next big event in Libya? The Tripoli International Fair of course! It begins on April 2nd and continues on through until the 12th.
The fair has been an annual event for years. During the years of sanctions when Libya was cut off from the world the Fair was pretty dull. But now that Libya is opened up to the world there will be all kinds of interesting international exhibts and things happening. Luna Angel (image above) is a reggae artist from Oakland, California that will be performing at the fair - you can hear some of her music on her website if you click on the image above. Of course there will be plenty of traditional Libyan musicians at the fair too.
According to the Tripoli International Fair's website there will be 30 countries represented as well as over 2000 companies and organizations - an international, industrial, agricultural and commercial event.
Something to do in April! - I should start charging a fee for promotional services - lol
When I first came to Libya 17 years ago, my husband and I took his niece and nephew to a restarant for lunch. The niece was about 12 years old at the time and belive it or not it was the very first time she had ever been in a restaurant in her entire life!
ReplyDeleteShe was so proud of herself that she knew just what to do and how to behave because she said she had seen people eating in restaurants on TV.
Libyan people have suffered from a lack of exposure to life. Maybe a reggae artist isn't a big deal - but how often would the ordinary Libyan citizen get a chance to be exposed to live music other than their own?
Yes the fair's image has diminished over the years - let's be optimistic and hope it improves. I think that it offers wonderful oportunities for Libyans to learn about the world, other cultures, other ideas.
When you mention getting Libyan citizenship - it's going back to the Miss Net contest (or Miss Networld or something like that) that was held here a few years back - personally I think that was a total disgrace. At least they had the forsight NOT to televise it on Libyan TV - the Libyan population was for the most part oblivious to the event (thank God!)
WOW !!!!! What a comentary on life in Libya! Dear 7mada are you Libyan?Been to Libya lately ?Or are you a Arab from another country ?What does 7mada stand for ?
ReplyDelete7mada - Many Libyans are open-minded and carry a relaxed mindset... to a point this might be true - of those living in Tripoli or other larger cities. But for the most part many Libyans have never travelled far from home, many don't even have a passport.
ReplyDeleteAt one point in my career as an English teacher here I was teaching about 300 Libyans who were on a training course. Almost all of them were from small villages way outside of Tripoli - out in the boonies and beyond. The majority had graduated from either an institute or university and had never travelled outside of Libya. Actually, Tripoli was the biggest and most exciting place they had ever been! And most had no computer skills and were just learning as part of the training course they were on.
Things are very different for those that are brought up and raised in Tripoli or other 'big' cities - they have all kinds of opportunities at their disposal. Many never even bother to seek out anything that is put right under their noses! Tripoli isn't very big or hip to those that have been elsewhere in the world - but there is alot of things happening here. It's just a matter of being inquisitive enough to find them. - There are art shows from local artists and artists from abroad, musicians come from many places to give concerts here, libraries, museums, etc. It's just a matter of looking.
The fair offers a wonderful opportunity for Libyans - don't turn up your nose at what is offered,but encourage those here to take advantage of a chance to broaden their horizons.
A reggae artist isn't meant to be a panacea to solve all of the problems people face. Who said music was a cure-all? Your comment about having a reggae artist perform here "why doesn’t the regime provide something useful to the Libyan people for once?" - maybe not useful, but does everything have to be useful? And Libyans do have the oportunity to learn how to play musical instruments - they're available here for anyone interested as are sport and art. It just needs those that are interested enough to go do it - they're not going to come to your house looking for you, you have to make the initiative.
You said: "The regime has aimed to wipe out any degree of individualism and self advancement, this has lead people only thinking about daily life affairs such as work, how to find work, how to gain money, how to feed the family etc." - hmmm . . . I can remember living in the US of A and being on the treadmill of life - worrying about daily affairs, work, money, feeding the family, paying the rent, car insurance, credit card bills, telephone bills, electric bills, the list went on and on and on - God forbid if you got sick - the doctor's bills could kill you!! That treadmill of life is everywhere in the world, but I've found it easier to deal with here.
Oh 7mada! Stop being so damned pessimistic all the time!
PS - I'm not interested in politics - there are things in life one has no control over - the weather and politics - but I suppose you could move to a climate that suits you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not interested in the politics of Libya - just happy here raising my family and doing the best I can and making the most out of what's available to me here.
The Fair does give us here a change of pace.And this fair is said to be better than the previous years due to not having sanctions.Libya is changing and for the better InshaAllah.The biggest problem that we face is in teaching our people to become better citizens by having public awareness programmes and implementing them.As for Libyans having an open mind there are few but the rest lead very simple lives.It really depends on what backgrounds they have i.e if illeterate or not.Most of the younger generation 1969--- have illeterate parents. Now the kids are all doctors , engineers and what have you.Everybody watches Star Accademy even my mother-in law won't miss an episode!Although some people do comment saying it to be haramm. So music isn't a cure for all but does provide some change!
ReplyDeleteYes 7mada, there is a big problem with unemployment in Libya. Part of the problem is that Libyans don't want to work unless they can be the boss, the manager, the supervisor or the one in charge.
ReplyDeleteI was always taught that you went out and got a job and worked your way to the top - not began there. If you were desperate to work you would take what you could find and keep on looking for something better while you did your best to support yourself. Here the typical Libyan sits around feeling sorry for themselves while oportunities pass them by.
In my lifetime I've done all kinds of jobs, many that Libyans would definitely turn there noses up at!
Libya's problems are not going to be solved overnight - so could we please be allowed to enjoy a little music and an afternoon at the fair for crying out loud?
Ya'allah teef!
Please visit Sufyan's myspace page and listen to his piano playing. He is awesome. He hails from Libya and hopes to travel to continue his study in Piano.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/pianistsufyan
He's been playing piano and flute for over 20 years, never took a lesson in his life! His father passed along his love for keyboards and Sufyan took off from there.
Piano playing is not popular in his North African country, so he hopes to travel overseas someday.
I, myself, played piano, taking lessons during my adolescent and teen years and while I am a good pianist, I never achieved what he has. He has a true gift and pours his emotions into his playing.
It is my wish to help him live his dream, to share his talent and his love for piano with the world.
Please pass along Sufyan's myspace page to everyone that enjoys the piano. He is a true gem. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
http://www.myspace.com/pianistsufyan
nad here too www.pianistsufyan.com
and what do you think
Thank you for listening,