The 19th Al-Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts is to open in the Lebanese capital Beirut on 21 February.

The theme of this year's event is Latin American music.

Founded in 1994, the annual festival takes place primarily at the Emile Bustani Auditorium and other locations around the city, giving stages to international artists, musicians, visual artists and art academics.

The festival includes concerts incorporating a variety of genres, including symphonic, opera, choral and chamber music, in addition to folkloric performances.

There will also be workshops and lectures.

This year's Al-Bustan Festival will begin on 19 February and continue until 25 March.