'Pays amer': Georgia Makhlouf Revives the Memory of the Pioneers
Bélinda Ibrahim 21/02 18:00 - Reading : 7 minute(s)
Lebanon Novel Georgia Makhlouf Interview Culture
Pays amer (Presses de la Cité, 2024) is Georgia Makhlouf’s third novel. It weaves together the stories of two Lebanese female photographers, separated by a century. One narrative unfolds in the 1920s, a time when Lebanon is shaping its future, while the other centers on Mona, a woman in 2020, navigating a country in crisis. Oscillating between ...
Ralph Fiennes Shines in 'Conclave,' the Thriller That Shakes Up the Church
Bélinda Ibrahim 18/02 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Film Chronicle Vatican Culture Ralph Fiennes
Steeped in unrelenting tension, Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and adapted from Robert Harris’s novel, pulls viewers into the inner workings of religious power struggles. Following the sudden death of the pope, the College of Cardinals convenes in the utmost secrecy to choose his successor. But behind the sealed doors of the Sistine Chapel, ...
‘Beyrouth Forever,’ David Hury’s Relentless Crime Novel
Bélinda Ibrahim 15/02 18:00 - Reading : 7 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon David Hury Book Beirut Culture
Published in January 2025 by Liana Levi, Beyrouth Forever marks an evolution in David Hury’s literary journey. Before this, he had already explored other genres, with historical novels like Mustapha s’en va-t-en guerre (2021) and Sans nouvelles depuis Drancy (2024), as well as Pentes douces (2017), an illustrated novel. In an interview with ...
'Yesterday' by The Beatles, the Hit Born from a Mysterious Dream
Bélinda Ibrahim 14/02 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Some songs leave an everlasting mark on the history of music. Melodies that, from the very first notes, transport us to another world. “Yesterday,” an ageless masterpiece by The Beatles, is one of them. But did you know that this legendary ballad was born from a dream and almost never came to light? Let’s revisit the story of this mythical ...
The Hasanlu Lovers: An Embrace That Defies 3,000 Years of History
Bélinda Ibrahim 11/02 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Iran Archaeology Culture Story
In 1973, a team of archaeologists excavating the ancient site of Teppe Hasanlu in Iran uncovered a discovery both startling and poignant. Amid the ruins of a city destroyed around 800 BCE, two skeletons lay locked in a final embrace, frozen in time by tragedy. Known as the Hasanlu Lovers, their remains continue to spark debate about their ...
Attend the Paris Opera Ballet in the Intimacy of Rehearsals
Bélinda Ibrahim 08/02 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Paris Opera Ballet Culture Dance
The Paris National Opera, a prestigious cultural institution founded in 1669 during the reign of Louis XIV, is renowned worldwide for the rigor of its artistic programming, particularly the excellence of its Ballet. Each season, tens of thousands of spectators flock to attend performances on the legendary stages of the Palais Garnier and the ...
From Darkness to Light: The Hidden Story Behind ‘The Sound of Silence’
Bélinda Ibrahim 07/02 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Music Story Culture Song Simon & Garfunkel
In the early 1960s, Paul Simon, then an unknown young musician, composed his songs in an offbeat place—his parents’ bathroom. Captivated by the acoustics of the small space, he refined the chords and lyrics of what would become one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. At that time, Simon and his childhood friend Art Garfunkel formed ...
Marianne Faithfull: Elegance in Doom, Grace in Survival
Bélinda Ibrahim 01/02 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Music Legend Culture Rock Homage
Marianne Faithfull, a 1960s rock icon and muse to the Rolling Stones, has passed away at the age of 78. Her tumultuous journey as an exceptional artist, who navigated through decades of hardship while constantly reinventing herself, is a testament to her resilience. The daughter of aristocrats, Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull was born on ...
This is Beirut's 'Walk of Fame:' They Left Us in 2024
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-31 10:30 - Reading : 10 minute(s)
Culture Artists Homage Celebrities Restrospective2024
This is Beirut presents its Walk of Fame dedicated to iconic figures from the artistic and cultural world who passed away in 2024. From Hussein Madi to Olivia Hussey, including Donald Sutherland and Alain Delon, this selection, far from exhaustive, pays tribute to individuals whose talent and legacy marked this painful year. Hussein Madi (88) ...
Olivia Hussey, the Star of Shakespearean Hollywood
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-29 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Film Actress Homage Oscars Culture Cinema
Olivia Hussey, forever remembered as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 masterpiece, passed away at the age of 73 on Friday, December 27, 2024, in her California home, surrounded by her loved ones. Her passing marks the end of an era in cinematic history, as her portrayal of Shakespeare’s heroine resonated deeply with generations of viewers ...
Revisited Photographs: The Emotional Journey of Rima Samman
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-27 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Exhibition Lyon Culture Photography
In harmony with the 17th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art, dedicated to welcoming the Other and exploring human relationships in all their forms, the Regard Sud gallery is hosting "Love Worn Around the Neck" by French-Lebanese photographer and filmmaker Rima Samman. This artistic event, which began on November 21, 2024, offers an intimate and ...
The Enchanting Legends and Untold Secrets of Notre-Dame de Paris
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-24 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Notre-Dame Culture Paris Heritage
Notre-Dame de Paris, an iconic masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is filled with legends, mysteries and fascinating anecdotes. Let's delve into some of the most captivating secrets of this emblematic cathedral, each reflecting the richness of its past. The Mystery of the Devilish Doors One of the most intriguing legends of Notre-Dame involves ...
Sursock Museum Reopens Its Doors, Lamia Abillama Unveils History
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-19 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Museum Lebanon Culture Exhibition Book
After two months of closure during the recent war in Lebanon, the Sursock Museum is reopening its doors to the public this Friday, December 20. A festive day packed with events awaits visitors to celebrate the long-anticipated return of this iconic cultural institution. “Having been greatly weakened by the August 4, 2020 explosion at the Beirut ...
'Last Tango in Paris' and Maria Schneider’s Tragic Fate
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-18 16:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Actress Cinema Culture Woman Violence
The Last Tango in Paris was born from a fantasy by Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci. He had imagined meeting a stranger on the street and having a sexual encounter with her, without ever knowing her identity. This idea became the foundation of the script he developed with his friend Franco Arcalli. Initially, Dominique Sanda was cast in the ...
Zakir Hussain: The Tabla Maestro Who United the World
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-17 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Zakir Hussain, the undisputed master of the tabla, made his mark in the history of music by building bridges between the East and the West. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai into a family of musicians, he was the son of the renowned Alla Rakha and was destined for an exceptional career. A true child prodigy, he gave his first public concert at the ...
Sarah Jessica Parker: The Journey of a Truly Unconventional Star
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-13 18:35 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
New York Manhattan Actress Fashion Icon Movie
A true tour de force both on and off the screen, Sarah Jessica Parker has never failed to astonish and captivate. Her role as a juror within the prestigious Booker Prize 2025 provides the perfect opportunity to revisit the extraordinary journey of this actress, producer and entrepreneur who has shaped an entire generation. From her early ...
Notre-Dame de Paris: The Organ’s Rebirth
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-08 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Paris Notre-Dame de Paris France
How can one condense five years of relentless dedication, sacrifice, and hope into words? The profound emotions of this moment, the sight of a scarred yet triumphant cathedral, and the collective awe of those present transcend the limits of language. Some milestones defy articulation; they must be felt, shared, and celebrated. The rebirth of ...
USJ Choir's Mass in Blue: A Defiant Stand Against War
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-07 14:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Concert USJ Yasmina Sabbah Lebanon Choir
In these troubled times, as Lebanon faces one of the darkest periods in its recent history, a beacon of hope shines in the heart of Beirut. The University of Saint Joseph Choir, under the direction of Yasmina Sabbah, is set to present its annual Christmas concert on December 18 and 19, 2024, at Saint Joseph Church in Monnot. This year's event ...
Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus: A Common Origin?
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-12-06 16:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Santa Claus Saint Nicholas Tradition Culture Christmas
The legend of Saint Nicholas dates back to the fourth century in Lycia, an area in present-day Turkey. Born in 270 in Patara to a wealthy, devout Christian family, Nicholas inherited a great fortune upon the death of his parents and chose to give it to the poor. Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra at a young age and is believed to have ...
Magritte and the Poetic Enigma of 'The Empire of Light'
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-11-26 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
New York Auction Magritte Painting
The Empire of Light by René Magritte undoubtedly ranks among the most fascinating pictorial series of the 20th century. An emblem of the singular artistic approach of the Belgian surrealist master, it embodies his relentless quest to challenge our certainties about reality and its representation. Created over three decades, from 1940 to 1960, the ...
Boualem Sansal's Arrest: Literary Giants Unite Against Algerian Oppression
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-11-24 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
France Algeria Literature Writer Culture
The arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal upon his arrival at Algiers airport on November 16 has sparked outrage across the literary world and beyond. At 75 years old, this committed intellectual, who became a French citizen in 2024, is known for his courageous stance against Islamism and totalitarianism. His detention by Algerian ...
Philippe Aractingi Awarded for 'Liban, les Secrets du Royaume de Byblos'
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-11-19 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanese cinema takes center stage once again with the remarkable achievement of Philippe Aractingi, a French-Lebanese director and producer, who recently won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 24th Bidassoa Archaeological Film Festival (FICAB) in Spain. His film, Liban, les secrets du royaume de Byblos, filmed over two years in 2022 and ...
Zeina Nader’s Abstract Art Shines Once Again in Italy
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-11-14 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Exhibition Painting Italy Lebanon Art
Zeina Nader is a true force of nature. Her unwavering passion for art drives her to overcome all obstacles, even as her country is shaken by conflict. Despite uncertain security conditions, the painter continues to proudly represent Lebanese art on the international scene, exhibiting her works in Italy. A globetrotter at heart, well-established ...
Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture: A Beacon in Lebanon’s Dark Night
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-11-09 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Museum Beirut Heritage Lebanon Culture
In these dark times, when Lebanon’s heritage is brought to its knees, when the ancient jewels of our culture teeter under bombardment, our hearts ache for Baalbeck, Tyre, and many other mythical places already wounded, whose future hangs by a thread. When the iconic Palmyra Hotel in Baalbeck, witness to so many eras, lies injured by bombs, a ...
Heritage: Are Tyre and Baalbeck Collateral Victims of Human Murderous Madness?
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-10-30 16:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Baalbeck Tyre Lebanon War World Heritage
Tyre and Baalbeck, Lebanon’s ancient gems, are shaken by the relentless bombardment. Recent Israeli airstrikes near these UNESCO World Heritage sites jeopardize an irreplaceable cultural legacy. An evacuation order for Baalbeck has foreshadowed potential strikes with unpredictable consequences for the site. This relentless cycle of conflict ...
Baalbeck, Tyre: Our Archaeological Jewels at Risk?
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-10-24 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Baalbeck Tyre War World Heritage
Listed as a World Heritage site since 1984, the complex of Roman temples in Baalbeck is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. With its monumental colonnades and gigantic sanctuaries dedicated to Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus, it stands as a testament to the grandeur of Roman architecture at its peak. But today, this jewel is ...
Crowned with the Nobel Prize in Literature: Han Kang, Anatomist of the Soul
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-10-11 16:14 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Nobel Price Literature South Korea
Born on November 27, 1970, in Gwangju, Han Kang is the daughter of writer Han Seung-won. Her childhood and writing have been forever marked by the bloody suppression of the Gwangju Uprising in her hometown in 1980, when she was just 9 years old. Although her family had moved to Seoul just before the tragedy, her accidental discovery of photos of ...
Zeina Nader’s Art Illuminates Milan, Defying Lebanon’s War
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-10-08 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The Ikonica Art Gallery, located in central Milan, is hosting an exceptional collective exhibition, featuring talented artists from across the globe. This international art event gathers creators from France, Italy, England, Spain, Georgia, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, and Lebanon. Among these artists, Zeina Nader, a Lebanese ...
Nidal Haddad: Abou Melhem and Oum Melhem, Model Grandparents for the Lebanese
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-09-13 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-09-09 11:31 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
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 ...