Under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers H.E Mr. Saad Hariri, Beirutis getting ready to welcome BEASTS festival#WeDreamLebanon with an outstanding launch event on Thursday August 24, on Beirut Waterfront immersing our capital in a magical atmosphere where art, sports, and innovation meet.

The festival extending from August 24 until September 3, 2017 is thought and designed as a space where creative initiatives replace worries and where chaos gives way to art, allowing Lebanon to reclaim its position on the regional and international tourism map, and reflecting how the faith of the Lebanese in their country overtakes any fear.

Initiated by Beirut Events and Street Shows (BEASTS) in partnership with the Municipality of Beirut, the #WeDreamLebaon festival is expected to set itself apart as a first-of-its-kind event through its new concept that brings together various international activities and shows hosted for the first time in Lebanon and targeting all age groups with no exception, with special arrangements for individuals with special needs.

Through this festival, BEASTS offers the Lebanese the chance to experience beautiful and unique moments alongside the Beirut Waterfront, where a village of many different areas will host cultural and entertainment activities as well as art festivities and international sports shows.

The village will also dedicate an exhibition area for carefully-selected cars, including F1 cars, Super cars, and BAC-manufactured vehicles, amongst which the Sauber-Ferrari driven by Kamui Kobayashi and the first F1 Sauber Ferrari ever driven by Sergio Perez. Additionally, a Kids' Area managed by Little Me will be home to a selection of fun games equipped according to the highest international standards of safety, while other stations will be the stage of exclusive international extreme sports shows and artistic performances.

When it comes to food, the festival has chosen Souk el Akel to offer its visitors the best Street Food experience. A VIP Lounge managed by Iris was also outsourced to provide guests with a beautiful setting where they can enjoy the sunset on the sounds of music and in an atmosphere of festivities.

The festival's highlights include a thrilling race in each of the three categories of Formula 1, Supercars, and British BAC-manufactured cars,topped by a final race between the winners of the three categories. The excitement on the circuit will be accompanied by a live commenting and visual screening, allowing the festival's attendees to enjoy the first live car race of its kind in Lebanon, which they have only seen on international tracks or TV screens so far.

These races will be marked by the participation of British racing driver Oliver James Webb on board of his LMP1 car, in addition to car stunt performances by international stunt driver Terry Grant.

Launching on Thursday August 24, 2017, in the presence of a number of officials, artists and prominent social, media, and cultural figures, the festival will celebrate its inauguration with a multimedia show entitled #WeDreamLebanon, dedicated to the memory of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and accompanied by impressive fireworks that will light the capital's sky. Relying on the latest cutting-edge technologies, the show brings together the most acclaimed Lebanese artists to narrate a nation's dream in a groundbreaking setting employing the six elements of water, fire, music, dance, light and 3D mapping projection. A concept by Sami Saab, the story is written by Lebanese poet Nizar Francis, directed by Wissam Smeira, musically arranged by Nasser Al Assaad, with the 3D sound & visual effects by Amin Sammakieh.

Commenting on the event, BEASTS' President Rasha Jarmakani said: "This festival was made to become the biggest event in Lebanon this summer. This explains our determination to offer exclusive and unprecedented shows which aim at reminding the world that Lebanon and its capital should be nowhere but at the forefront of innovation."

Stretching over eleven days starting August 24 till September 3, the festival will open its door daily from 4pm to midnight, offering its visitors a myriad of unique international shows as well as sports, cultural, and entertainment activities catering for all ages accessible for adults at a nominal fee and freely for children under the age of 10.

The activities also include special shows featuring the world's wildest freestyle Motocross show, an Arabian Night featuring supertars Ragheb Alemeh and Sherine Abdel Wahab, and largest multimedia show ever produced in Lebanon, all of which can be booked for in advance.

Here follows the full festival's program:

Thursday August 24, 2017: Inauguration of the festival through a breathtaking 3D mapping multimedia show accompanied by impressive fireworks lighting up Beirut's sky.

All festival days from August 24 to September 3: Shows for Formula 1 cars, Supercars, and BAC-manufactured cars which visitors can watch closely to enjoy an exceptional experience.

Friday August 25, 2017: Superstar Ragheb Alemeh and star Sherine Abdel Wahab animate a much-awaited special Arabian Night.

August 25, 26, 27, 31 & September 1 and 3:  Car racing between the three categories of brought cars: Formula 1, Supercars, and British BAC-manufactured cars, featuring the participation of international racing driver Oliver James Webb on board of his LMP1 car.

Thursday August 24, Sunday 27, and Thursday 31: 3D mapping multimedia shows under the title #WeDreamLebanon employing the latest industry technologies and featuring water and fire elements to narrate the dream of a nation through an artistic performance bringing together a number of the most acclaimed Lebanese artists, musicians and dancers on one stage.

Wednesday August 30 and Thursday August 31: First-time shows for international stunt driver Terry Grant in Lebanon.

Friday September 1 and Saturday September 2, 2017: Lovers of extreme sports will be entertained by the world's wildest Freestyle Motocross show, Masters of Dirt, which will perform stunning car, bicycle, and motocross tricks on a special circuit, in a first visit for them to Lebanon.

Sunday September 3, 2017: The festival will end with majestic firework shows offered by specialized fire shows' companies.

Visitors will have access to the village, the food court, the kids' area, and the VIP lounge managed by Iris throughout the festival's duration.For more information, visit the festival's website www.beasts.me.