Notre-Dame de Paris: The Organ’s Rebirth

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

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 ...

Magritte and the Poetic Enigma of 'The Empire of Light'

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

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'

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

  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 ...