NNA - An official welcome event took place at InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut on December 1 in a spectacular evening that celebrated the hotel’s reopening in October, the launch of a new event space, and the start of the festive season.

Adorned in festive and patriotic colours of red, white and green, and showing support for local farmers, producers and artists, this event provided a unique and spectacular occasion for guests to join the hotel in uniting “for the love of the land”. Red apples, grown by Lebanese farmers, figured prominently in the décor and will feature throughout the hotel for the month of December.

More than 500 guests, including ambassadors, corporate and private invitees, media representatives and social media influencers were greeted in the hotel lobby, filled with a lively ambiance for the occasion, including acrobats who performed to the tuneful sounds of a violinist and pianist Pierre Basbous, while a body painting artist also brought an artistic touch to proceedings.

After the initial welcome, the launching of the new event space took place. Named the Beirut Venue, this space is set at the centre of the hotel and will offer a place for business and corporate meetings, private functions and gatherings, fashion shoots, TV interviews, exhibitions and more. The hotel’s location at the heart of the capital and status as emblematic of the city’s resilience inspired the choice of name.

Guests were treated to an exhibition that is being held in partnership SAFL (Solidarités et Amitiés Franco-Libanaise), highlighting the diverse talents of local artists, including a coffee painter, 3D artist and candle and soap maker, who were present at the event with their work.

The launching of the Beirut Venue featured a performance from young rising talent, 10-year-old Ivana Salloum, who sang her new hit song and also performed the honour of switching on the lights of the bespoke Christmas tree. The evening culminated in the Grand Ballroom, where guests were treated to entertainment from international singer Nancy Nesrallah and stand-up comedian Fadi Charbel.

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