BEIRUT — In Hamra, the commercial and diplomatic center of Beirut, passersby could hear the singing of 20 Syrian and Lebanese children, who were practicing for their concert during the Global Week for Syria festival, which took place on June 28-July 5.

“Each Saturday morning since January, these children have been practicing with Syrian oud player Mohanad Nasser to sing traditional songs,” Mona Yaacouli, a local coordinator for the French association Yalla! pour les Enfants, told Al-Monitor. The choir, which is accompanied by Syrian and local musicians, is made up of Syrian refugee children and local youngsters living in the Lebanese village of Aley.

“They are very excited as it is their first public performance. This new experience will give them confidence. The Syrian children in Aley hardly ever get to go anywhere new unless we take them out,” Yaacouli said. After their performance at the festival, the children headed to famous restaurant T Marbouta for a meal.

The children’s concert organized by Yalla! was one of the many concerts, performances, panel discussions and workshops in Lebanon that took place as part of the Global Week for Syria. The festival marks a worldwide initiative by the Music and Beyond Foundation under the patronage and support of UNESCO. Twenty countries participated in the festival, including in Lebanon where events were held in Beirut, Aley, Tripoli, Minyara and the Bekaa Valley.