Nidal Haddad: Abou Melhem and Oum Melhem, Model Grandparents for the Lebanese

  Last Wednesday, Aley paid a heartfelt tribute to Abou Melhem and Oum Melhem, the legendary couple of Lebanese television. During this emotional ceremony, their granddaughter, Nidal Haddad, spoke with emotion about the authenticity, wisdom, and lasting imprint her grandparents left in the hearts of the Lebanese, calling them “model ...

Paris Paralympics Closing Ceremony: A Dazzling Celebration of Johnny, Breakdance and Electro

The Paris Paralympic Games came to a spectacular end on Sunday, during a ceremony that blended emotional tributes, breathtaking artistic performances and a celebration of French electronic music, capping off an extraordinary summer filled with sports and togetherness. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games concluded in style on Sunday evening at the ...

Venice Film Festival Honors Almodovar, Kidman and Lindon for Bold Artistic Choices

  The awards of the 81st Venice Film Festival crowned Pedro Almodovar, honored the intense performances of Vincent Lindon and Nicole Kidman, and celebrated actresses over 50, proving that talent knows no age. Here’s a look back at an edition that celebrated auteur cinema and boldness. Pedro Almodovar Finally Wins the Golden Lion With The ...

With ‘Maroun Returns to Beirut’, Feyrouz Serhal Revives the Spirit of Maroun Baghdadi

Thirty years after the tragic passing of Maroun Baghdadi, filmmaker Feyrouz Serhal takes us on an emotional journey through the heart of Beirut, retracing the steps of this pioneer of Lebanese cinema who revolutionized the seventh art during the civil war of the 1970s and 80s. Maroun Returns to Beirut, her first feature-length documentary, which ...

Valet Parking Delirium: “Because You’re Worth It”!

Welcome to Lebanon, the land of Cedars and mafias of all kinds! The latest sensation? The parking valet mafia, which adds a certain flair to the already long list of leeches draining us to the bone with unparalleled delicacy. From electricity generators to water tanks, to currency exchangers, all of them, absolutely all, are lining their pockets ...

“Disability Can Affect Everyone”: The Powerful Message of the Paralympic Games

  The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games moved the entire world on Wednesday evening. A grand spectacle celebrating inclusion, diversity and self-overcoming, marked by the poignant testimonies of disabled athletes and a breathtaking scenography. Unlike the Olympic Games opening ceremony, which sometimes veered into excess, ...

Alain Delon, the Rising Sun of Cinema, Has Set in Douchy

  On Saturday, August 24, 2024, a chapter in cinema history closed with the burial of Alain Delon in the chapel of his estate in Douchy, in the Loiret region. A week after the legendary actor’s death at the age of 88, about forty close friends and family gathered for an intimate and moving farewell to the man who had captivated generations ...

Alain Delon, the Steely Blue Gaze Etched in Film History

Alain Delon, the iconic figure of French cinema, has passed away at the age of 88. Although the deterioration of his health foreshadowed the inevitable, the announcement of his death resonated like an emotional earthquake, powerfully reminding us of the end of an era. Here is a look back at the life and career of a legendary actor. This Sunday, ...

Taylor Swift's Concerts Canceled in Vienna: Can Terrorism Silence Our Culture?

  The cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna due to a terrorist threat raises profound questions about the vulnerability of Western culture — and its followers — in the face of those who seek to spread terror. The cancellation of the three Taylor Swift concerts scheduled for this week at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel Stadium, ...

“Unmasked”: A Celebration of Contemporary Lebanese Art in the Heart of Venice

  As the Venice Biennale is in full swing, a captivating exhibition is illuminating the artistic landscape of the City of Canals. “Unmasked,” showcased at the prestigious Galleria ItinerArte, offers a fascinating dive into contemporary Lebanese art through the works of three renowned artists: Zeina Nader, Claude Saba, and Lina Husseini. ...

"Natrin…": The 44 Silhouettes of Pierre Abboud Demand Justice

  Four years after the tragedy of the Beirut port explosion, artist Pierre Abboud calls out to the capital with Natrin..., a striking installation of 44 life-sized colored metal silhouettes, embodying the relentless cry of the victims’ families who, despite the passage of time, have never stopped demanding truth and justice. On August ...

Culture in Lebanon: An Act of Resistance and Faith

In these troubled times, as Lebanon is once again plunged into uncertainty, culture remains an unwavering pillar and a bulwark against the darkness threatening to engulf the Land of the Cedars. Despite the challenges the nation faces, the Lebanese display extraordinary resilience, celebrating life with unmatched fervor. In this article, we review ...

Colette Naufal, the Lady of Lebanese Cinema, Bids Farewell

Colette Naufal, founder of the Beirut International Film Festival, shaped the Lebanese cinematic landscape for more than two decades. Her passing at 78 leaves a significant void, but her legacy is imperishable.   The Birth of a Passion Although few details are known about Colette Naufal’s youth, it is evident that she developed a deep ...

Paris 2024: The Ceremony of Excess and Extravagance

  The much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games lived up to all its promises in terms of buzz and controversy. Baffling, breathtaking, provocative, this extraordinary inaugural event left no one indifferent. Here’s a look back at an XXL show that electrified social media and TV studios. On Friday night, the eyes of ...

The Dreamlike Universe of Sara Abou Mrad Invites Itself to the Janine Rubeiz Gallery

Janine Rubeiz Gallery presents 'Stay or Leave,' an exhibition by Lebanese artist Sara Abou Mrad, which explores themes of uprooting and the metamorphosis of exile, from July 24 to August 23, 2024. The Janine Rubeiz Gallery, a prominent venue for contemporary art in Beirut, is hosting the new exhibition by Sara Abou Mrad, a multidisciplinary ...

Paris 2024 Medals: A Blend of History and Innovation

Combining French heritage and sporting excellence, the medals for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games make history with their unique design. Incorporating a piece of the Eiffel Tower, they embody the spirit of innovation and the universal values of Olympism. When athletes stand on the podiums of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ...

‘Roofs of the City’ by Maral Der Boghossian Celebrates Beirut

From July 18 to 31, 2024, the exhibition Roofs of the City by Maral Der Boghossian invites us on a captivating pictorial journey over the rooftops of Beirut. A vibrant ode to the city, filled with nostalgia and an explosion of colors. This summer, the Beirut art scene will be marked by a significant event: Maral Der Boghossian’s solo ...

Kenza Layli Crowned Miss AI: Beauty 2.0 Finally Unveiled

The world of beauty has reached a new milestone with the crowning of Kenza Layli, a Moroccan virtual influencer, at the very first Miss AI contest organized by the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA). This unprecedented event, initiated by Fanvue, aims to celebrate the feats of artificial intelligence and demonstrate how it is revolutionizing our ...

‘The Grand Spectacle’ Will Dazzle Byblos in a Memorable Evening

The Grand Spectacle Byblos Edition, created by Toni Makhoul, will illuminate the stage of the Byblos International Festival on July 18, 2024. This special event celebrates the grandeur of Byblos and Lebanon's cultural richness through an inspiring artistic performance. Under the twinkling stars of Byblos, the Grand Spectacle Byblos Edition will ...

Mouna Bassili Sehnaoui: The Woman Who Defined Lebanon’s Visual Identity

In the midst of a storm, Lebanon launches a bold campaign to promote tourism. “Mechouar,” initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, is intended as a message of hope and resilience in a highly challenging context. This term, which means “promenade” in Arabic, evokes the idea of a pleasant stroll, a moment of respite. However, given the ...

The USJ Choir and Yasmina Sabbah Reinvent Rock

On July 13 and 14, 2024, the Casino du Liban will resonate with an exceptional musical fusion. The Symphonic Rock concert by the Saint Joseph University (USJ) Choir promises to brilliantly combine rock classics with symphonic music. At the helm, the passionate and visionary conductor Yasmina Sabbah reveals the behind-the-scenes of this highly ...

Saloua Raouda Choucair: A Museum Celebrates the Lebanese Avant-Garde

Lebanon celebrated the opening of the Saloua Raouda Choucair Museum, paying tribute to the pioneer of Arab abstract art. Nestled in a pine forest in Ras el-Metn, this artistic sanctuary offers an exceptional immersion into the universe of this visionary artist. An hour’s drive from the bustling city of Beirut, the Saloua Raouda Choucair Museum ...

Vogue’s Grand Fashion Spectacle Takes Over Place Vendôme

Vogue World, a major fashion event, dazzled Paris on Sunday at Place Vendôme, featuring a parade of top French designers and an unprecedented gathering of celebrities. The highly anticipated Vogue World, one of the year’s most significant fashion events, took center stage on Sunday at the iconic Place Vendôme in Paris. This spectacular show, ...

A Timeless Voice: Chris de Burgh’s Enchanting Concerts at Casino du Liban

On June 21 and 22, 2024, Irish singer Chris de Burgh delivered two exceptional performances at the Casino du Liban, transporting the audience in a whirlwind of emotions and nostalgia. Although time passes, Chris de Burgh seems unchanging: an undisputed master of the stage, he retains that incomparable voice that has been his signature for ...

Beirut Spring Festival: A Moving Tribute to Gisèle Khoury

The 16th Beirut Spring Festival concluded on May 20 with a touching evening honoring Gisèle Khoury, a journalist and activist whose life was marked by an intense and rich journey. Gisèle Khoury lived a life filled with achievements, both personally and professionally. Her career in journalism began at LBCI in 1986, followed by her well-known ...

Anouk Aimée: The Passing of a French Cinema Icon

  Anouk Aimée, an iconic actress and the true embodiment of French grace, passed away this Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the age of 92. Her daughter, Manuela Papatakis, announced the sad news on Instagram, specifying that she was by her side during her final moments. Born Françoise Dreyfus on April 27, 1932, in Paris, Anouk Aimée was ...

The Last Aria: Jodie Devos’ Untimely Passing

Jodie Devos, the dazzling Belgian soprano, has sadly left us for other realms. She passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Paris, struck by cancer at just 35 years old. In just a decade, this extraordinary artist had won the hearts of the public and the admiration of her peers with a talent as radiant as it was generous. Revealed in ...

Jabbour Douaihy, the Master of Lebanese Literature

The roundtable "Jabbour Douaihy: A Life, A Work" paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Lebanese writer who passed away in 2021 at the age of 72, on the occasion of the French release of his novel Il y avait du poison dans l'air. The event brought together literary figures and close friends of the writer. On Friday, June 14, the Safadi Center in ...

Closure of Lebanon's Vital Blood Donation Group 'Donner Sang Compter'

On World Blood Donor Day, a crucial question arises: After 14 years of tireless efforts to promote voluntary blood donation in Lebanon, Donner Sang Compter has closed its doors. This decision carries significant implications in a country already burdened by a fragile healthcare system. Yorgui Teyrouz, speaking on behalf of the Donner Sang ...

Françoise Hardy: The Voice That Defined Generations

She was the voice of our youth, of our loves, of our melancholies. Françoise Hardy, the one through whom French song took a new breath in the 60s, has left us at the age of 80, taking with her an entire piece of our collective history. Françoise Hardy was born on January 17, 1944, in occupied Paris, the daughter of an absent father and a ...