Music Genre : Lebanese rock & folk/electro-oriental 

Music Genre : hip-hop/rap/trap/Electronic 

Music Genre: Pop, Arabic dream pop, Psychedelic Gnawa Rock, World Music, SWANA sounds (raï, gnawa, dabke, mahragan), and Tech-house. 

In October 2023, Stereo Kawalis became Rumman’s new home. Originally established in 1954 as Cinema Radio, this Art Deco-style cinema was founded by Tawfiq Remlawi and Jean Abdo Rawady. Housed in a building owned by influential figure Fouad Al-Bart, a key shareholder in Intra-Bank, the cinema became a high-end gem in Mina.

With two floors boasting 525 seats on the ground floor and an additional 200 seats on the balcony, Cinema Radio played a vital role in the cultural life of Tripoli back in the day. The venue hosted a diverse array of Arabic movie screenings, becoming one of seven cinemas operating in Mina and leaving indelible memories for a generation.

The impact of the civil war and the systematic marginalization of Mina and Tripoli by successive governments since the 1990s led to the decline of the city's cultural infrastructure. As technology advanced, cinemas like Cinema Radio began to close their doors, and in 1995, this cultural hub ceased its operations.

In 2023, Rumman succeeded in reviving this cultural landmark by restoring Cinema Radio to Stereo Kawalis, the new largest indoor music venue nestled in the charming alleys of Yaacoub Labban Street (Mino). 

This year's edition comes at a critical and sensitive moment for Lebanon and the region. In 2024, Tripoli was selected as the Arab Capital of Culture, intended as a moment to celebrate Arab culture. Instead, it feels heavy to "celebrate" at a time when the Arab region, as a whole, is subjected to colonization, occupation, and dictatorships, resulting in an unprecedented wave of violence, economic hardships, rising discriminatory rhetoric, and pervasive censorship.

Amidst the bleakness and uncertainties surrounding us, we chose to move forward with the festival as a statement that we will not surrender to violence and despair. For this edition, we will be curating a special lineup welcoming local artists, as well as artists from the SWANA region to reflect the rich and diverse musical landscape the region can offer. We see this as an invitation for artists and audiences alike to re-imagine—through the lens of music—how the Arab region can look when we transcend the artificial barriers and mobility restrictions imposed among Arab countries and artists residing there.

Finally, hosting the festival at Stereo Kawalis is not only an opportunity to officially launch a new cultural space but also a pledge to our audience and community that we will remain a creative movement advocating for the decentralization of cultural events and making them accessible to all. We’ll ensure that our festival ticket prices are fair, factoring in the economic hardships we are facing. In addition, we're partnering with the Delia Arts Foundation to offer a support ticket option dedicated to supporting our fellow musicians in Palestine.

We hope that through the universal language of music and the power of arts, we can offer a glimmer of hope and an opportunity to dream of a brighter future for Tripoli and beyond. 

Rumman was founded in 2021 to support and promote the independent music and cultural scene in Tripoli and beyond. Rumman’s scope of work and objectives focus on:

Operating an Independent Music & Cultural Venue

We operate “Stereo Kawalis,” an old Art Deco cinema converted into the largest independent music venue in the city. It hosts diverse, open, and accessible creative musical and artistic productions to reach the widest audience possible.

Supporting & Promoting the Independent Local Music & Cultural Scene

In addition to organizing monthly music programs, we support local bands and artists by providing our space and studio for rehearsals and recording purposes. We also organize an annual music festival in September featuring local and international musicians.

Building Regional and International Collaborations

We build regional and international collaborations and partnerships with other independent music and cultural entities and artists through co-productions, artistic residencies, and music exchange programs.

Building Sustainable Relationships with the Local Community

We see our project as an antithesis of gentrification. Our operational model is built on working with local businesses and service providers, such as partnering with local hotels, buying from small shops, and organizing meals at family-owned restaurants, as a way to preserve the neighborhood’s culture and promote sustainable development and community inclusivity.