Several hundred people gathered at the Institut du monde arabe in Paris on Thursday evening for a charity concert bringing together French and Lebanese artists in support of civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The event, held on the forecourt of the iconic cultural institution in the French capital's 5th arrondissement, was organised as both a cultural celebration and a solidarity initiative, with all proceeds directed toward humanitarian operations on the ground.

The concert was held under the artistic direction of Ibrahim Maalouf, a Franco-Lebanese trumpet player and composer widely regarded as one of the most prominent bridge-builders between Western jazz and Arabic musical traditions. Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji was among the headline performers, joined by around 20 artists whose sets spanned jazz, Arabic music, pop and chanson. The audience was made up largely of members of the Lebanese diaspora, many of whom described the evening as a powerful reminder of Lebanon's rich cultural identity beyond the images of conflict that have dominated international coverage.

Funds raised through ticket sales and donations are expected to be channelled through the French Foreign Ministry's crisis centre and the Fondation de France, both of which work with local partners in Lebanon to provide emergency housing and essential services to displaced and vulnerable populations. Lebanon has been grappling with significant instability and internal displacement linked to fighting that escalated along the Israeli-Lebanese border in 2025.

Paris, home to one of the world's largest Lebanese diaspora communities, has hosted a series of support events for Lebanon since that escalation began. Thursday's concert stood out for its scale and the calibre of its performers, reinforcing France's historically close ties with Lebanon — rooted in decades of cultural, educational and political engagement.

For many in attendance, the evening served a dual purpose: raising urgently needed funds for aid organisations working under difficult conditions, and affirming a sense of collective identity at a moment when Lebanon's future remains deeply uncertain.