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The home of World Music Day is still the number 1 destination to enjoy this 25 year old festival

Jazz aficionados flock to Syria every July to relax to the wonderful sounds of international Jazz in the antiquated stone surroundings of the citadels of Damascus and Aleppo, which are some of the oldest Middle Eastern destinations.

Supported by the Syrian Ministry of Culture and various embassies based in the city, Jazz artists from across the world, including Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Spain, Denmark Netherlands and France, are brought together for a week of jazz concerts, seminars and workshops.

The organizers aim to give well-known Syrian artists, musicians and bands, including the Syrian Jazz Orchestra, the opportunity to play to international audiences and with world famous musicians in order to promote and strengthen the musical networks between Syrian and international musicians.

Throughout the week, and in corporation with the Higher Institute of Music, academic workshops are run in which local musicians have the opportunity to work alongside famous musicians and the results are played in live concerts to thousands of festival-goers. Children are also encouraged to take part. There are two children's bands where children can rehearse, there are workshops and the children can also play live on stage.

Hannibal Saad came up with the idea for the festival in 2003 when he returned to Syria after spending ten years working in the music and film industries in Washington DC and New York. Initially he had only intended his return to be a short visit, however he sensed such a change in the atmosphere and culture, especially among musicians young and old, that he decided to stay. In 2005, with the help of the Swiss Embassy, the first Jazz Lives festival in Syria was borne.