Miss AI: When Artificial Intelligence Joins the Beauty Contest
Bélinda Ibrahim 09/06 18:00 - Reading : 8 minute(s)
The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards unveil the 10 finalists of their first Miss AI contest: virtual models with surprising profiles, blending unique biographies with advantageous physiques. Let’s dive into the depths of AI to discover these extraordinary candidates and try to understand the significance of this unusual event. The Fanvue World AI ...
Benoît Debbané Unveils the Essence of Femininity
Bélinda Ibrahim 02/06 11:12 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
With “12 Women (and an Orange Cat),” Benoît Debbané invites us to revisit our perception of feminine beauty. Through his intimate and authentic portraits, the Lebanese painter pays tribute to the women who have marked his life, while exploring the fascinating parallels between femininity and the enigmatic presence of cats. The opening ...
'Brotherland' by Georges Melhem : A Cry for Peace
Bélinda Ibrahim 28/05 18:02 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Fifteen years after its first publication, the novel Brotherland by Georges Melhem is back in the spotlight, revamped and more relevant than ever. Through the poignant story of twins separated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the author issues a heartfelt call for empathy and reconciliation. Fate has a strange way of bringing people together. ...
Coldplay in Lebanon? Dream or Delusions of Grandeur?
Bélinda Ibrahim 27/05 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Ah, Lebanon, that small country wedged between the sea and mountains, where the wildest dreams sometimes seem to come to life. The latest whim? The imminent arrival of Coldplay, no less, for a concert that already promises to be legendary... at least in the collective imagination! For those who have been living under a rock for the past 20 years, ...
Antonio Scurati, the Free Writer of the Present Century
Bélinda Ibrahim 24/05 19:55 - Reading : 7 minute(s)
Antonio Scurati, the renowned Italian writer and author of the “M” trilogy on Benito Mussolini, is much more than a mere historical novelist. A staunch defender of freedom of expression, he embodies the figure of the committed writer. This is Beirut had the privilege of meeting this exceptional man for an interview during a debate in ...
‘Je ne te dirai jamais adieu,’ a Novel Dedicated to Lebanon by Carlo Akatcherian
Bélinda Ibrahim 14/05 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
In his latest novel, Carlo Akatcherian casts a tender and lucid gaze upon today’s Lebanon, a country wounded yet resilient. This fresco celebrates the beauty of a nation and its people, carried by elegant writing. What remains of Lebanon, this small country of breathtaking beauty, a jewel of the Middle East, after decades of fratricidal ...
Eurovision 2024 or the Art of Distorting Music
Bélinda Ibrahim 13/05 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Eurovision, once envisioned as an anthem to music and European unity, has morphed into a political arena where countries showcase not only their musical talents but predominantly their geopolitical agendas. Despite its repeated efforts to remain apolitical, Eurovision has proven to be anything but. Beneath the glitter and synchronized ...
Alain Plisson, Pillar of Lebanese Theater, Passes Away at 94
Bélinda Ibrahim 10/05 15:27 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanese theater has lost one of its greatest names. Alain Plisson, actor, director and teacher, leaves behind an invaluable artistic and educational legacy. Alain Plisson, a towering figure in the Lebanese theater, passed away at the age of 94, after 48 hours in a coma. His loss leaves a vast void in the country’s cultural landscape, given his ...
Bernard Pivot, the Soul of French Culture, Dies at 89
Bélinda Ibrahim 06/05 17:14 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Bernard Pivot, an essential figure in the French cultural landscape, has left us, leaving behind an invaluable legacy. As a journalist, presenter, and lover of words, he made an indelible mark on the worlds of literature and television. His passing is a tremendous loss for everyone who, like me, had the chance to cross paths with ...
Meryl Streep, a Cinema Legend Honored at Cannes
Bélinda Ibrahim 05/05 10:59 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
A true icon of the seventh art, the multi-talented actress Meryl Streep will be awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This recognition will crown an exceptional career spanning nearly half a century. Born Mary Louise Streep on June 22, 1949, in New Jersey, Meryl Streep is universally ...
May 1: Struggles, Lily of the Valley and Traditions
Bélinda Ibrahim 01/05 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
May 1 is a symbol of social struggles and the spring season, resonating differently across the globe. Originating in the United States in 1886 amid labor demands for an 8-hour workday, this day evolved under the impetus of the Second International into a crucial international rendez-vous for workers. In France, May 1 has a dual aspect. On one ...
Paul Auster, Giant of American Literature, Dies at 77
Bélinda Ibrahim 01/05 10:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
The famous writer Paul Auster, the undisputed master of the American postmodern novel, left us at the age of 77, leaving behind a monumental literary work that marked his era. Born in 1947 in Newark, New Jersey, Paul Auster was attracted to writing from a very young age. After studying at Columbia, he traveled to Europe before fully devoting ...
Cyrano's Shadow: Depardieu Faces His Darkest Hour
Bélinda Ibrahim 30/04 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Gérard Depardieu, a sacred monster of French cinema, finds himself today in the midst of a storm, accused of sexual assault. A look back at the tumultuous trajectory of an extraordinary actor. Gérard Depardieu, a name that resonates like thunder in the French cinematic landscape, finds himself today at the heart of a scandal that shakes his ...
Alma Fakhre: Transcending Borders, Uniting Souls Through Art
Bélinda Ibrahim 29/04 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Alma Fakhre, a Lebanese-Grenadian-French artist, captivates audiences at the Venice Biennale’s Grenada Pavilion with her soul-stirring, boundary-defying artwork that celebrates the interconnectedness of humanity. Alma Fakhre, a visionary artist whose roots span the globe, has made a mark on the art world with her thought-provoking and ...
Céline Dion: A Voice Shattered by Fate
Bélinda Ibrahim 28/04 10:44 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Céline Dion, an icon of song, has had a meteoric career peppered with numerous personal tragedies. Today, afflicted by a rare disease, she is engaged in a relentless battle to return to the stage. Born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec, Céline is the youngest in a modest family of 14 children. From a young age, surrounded by music, she ...
‘Juror #2’: Clint Eastwood's Moral Dilemma at 93
Bélinda Ibrahim 24/04 20:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Born on May 31, 1930, in San Francisco, Clint Eastwood is a towering figure in cinema. As an actor, director, producer and composer, he has left an indelible mark on the history of film over a career spanning more than six decades. Now, at 93, he is set to take on a final challenge with his 40th feature film as a director, Juror #2, a legal ...
When Big Brother Hides Within Ourselves
Bélinda Ibrahim 22/04 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
It seems we are living in a marvelous era where the inquisitive eye of Big Brother has found a new playground: our own minds. Like a benevolent lifeguard, he ensures that we do not drown in the troubled waters of our free will. How fortunate we are! But beware, Big Brother is not always an external entity, the big bad government or the ...
Lady Diana’s Dresses, Relics of an Eternal Icon
Bélinda Ibrahim 19/04 14:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
On August 31, 1997, the world was in shock. Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, tragically died in a car accident in Paris at just 36 years old. Twenty-seven years later, the woman affectionately known as “Lady Di” or the “People’s Princess” continues to fascinate and inspire with her style, humanity and extraordinary fate. This is ...
Iran vs Israel: The Geopolitical Blockbuster of the Year!
Bélinda Ibrahim 15/04 10:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Listen to the article [audio mp3="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ladies-and-gentlemen-get-your-popcorn-ready-because-the-latest-big-budget-action-film-has-just.mp3"][/audio] Ladies and gentlemen, get your popcorn ready, because the latest big-budget action film has just been released... except it's not a film, but ...
Damour 1976: Psychoanalytic Deep Dive into the Memory of a Massacre
Bélinda Ibrahim 13/04 11:26 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
48 years later, the deadly attack launched against the town of Damour in January 1976 is still a gaping wound in the Lebanese collective subconscious. Zeina Zerbé, clinical psychologist and psychotherapeutic psychoanalyst, courageously dives into this profound trauma in her book Damour L’assaut, le massacre et la chute de la ville. A compendium ...
Art Under Siege: The Wajdi Mouawad Controversy in Lebanon
Bélinda Ibrahim 11/04 13:27 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Amidst political pressure, intimidation and blackmail related to “normalization” with Israel, many Lebanese artists find their freedom of expression threatened. Despite being a cultural jewel of the Middle East, the Land of the Cedars seems to be sinking into a repressive spiral aimed at silencing any critical or dissenting voice. This ...
Dolce & Gabbana Dazzle Milan With Their Stunning Exhibition
Bélinda Ibrahim 06/04 10:41 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The exhibition "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana" at the Palazzo Reale in Milan celebrates the creative genius of the duo, their love for Italian culture and their unique approach to luxury. The Palazzo Reale in Milan opens its doors to the event exhibition "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana," a true ...
Mireille Khanamirian, Ambassador of Aznavour's Legacy
Bélinda Ibrahim 03/04 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Charles Aznavour, a key figure in French music, continues to inspire admiration and wonder across borders and generations. His legacy, carried by dedicated personalities like Mireille Khanamirian and the Aznavour Foundation, keeps shining throughout the world. As part of the ongoing celebration of Aznavour’s legacy, the Embassy of Armenia in ...
The Extraordinary Odyssey of Decorated Easter Eggs
Bélinda Ibrahim 31/03 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
In the heart of spring, when nature is reborn, an ancient and universal tradition resurfaces to enchant both young and old: the coloring of Easter eggs. Journey through history and cultures. Like a golden thread woven through the ages, the custom of decorating eggs at Easter connects us to ancient civilizations. Persians, Egyptians, Gauls and ...
"Wedding Day at the Cro-Magnons," the Original Cry of Wajdi Mouawad
Bélinda Ibrahim 30/03 18:04 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Thirty years after writing it, Wajdi Mouawad is finally staging Journée de noces chez les Cromagnons (Wedding Day at the Cro-Magnons), a foundational piece of his theatrical universe, with a Lebanese team and in his mother tongue. In 1991, the young Canadian-Lebanese author Wajdi Mouawad wrote Journée de noces chez les Cromagnons, a tragicomic ...
Carla Sayad's Watercolor Easter Eggs
Bélinda Ibrahim 30/03 09:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Carla Sayad, a multifaceted Lebanese artist, has established herself in the art world as a talented watercolorist. Born in Lebanon and trained in interior design, she quickly shifted her creativity towards watercolor, exploring various surfaces and textures. Her work is distinguished by its delicacy and poetry, especially when expressed through a ...
Powerful Portrayals of Mothers in Cinema
Bélinda Ibrahim 21/03 18:12 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Motherhood is a complex and powerful theme that has been explored in cinema for generations. These eight unforgettable performances showcase the depth, resilience, and unconditional love of mothers on screen. In Greta Gerwig's 2017 film Lady Bird, Laurie Metcalf delivers a tour-de-force performance as Marion, the mother of the titular character ...
Celebrating Resilience: Rabih Kayrouz Presents Collection in Restored Atelier
Bélinda Ibrahim 15/03 21:06 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Beirut, the wounded city, rises from its ashes through art and creation. Emblematic of this resilience, Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz chose to present his new Spring-Summer 2024 collection in his Gemmayzé district workshop, beautifully restored after being devastated by the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. An emotionally charged event ...
Andrei Molodkin Gambles Masterpieces to Rescue Julian Assange
Bélinda Ibrahim 14/03 10:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
In an unprecedented gesture, Russian artist Andrei Molodkin risks invaluable masterpieces of world art to try to save Julian Assange from extradition and a possible life sentence. This explosive confrontation of art, politics and human rights raises profound questions. At the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, The Foundry Gallery has become the ...
Amélie Nothomb at the Louvre: An IQ Odyssey Without a QR
Bélinda Ibrahim 11/03 18:23 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In this hyper-connected world, it seems that some still resist the digital invader. Among them, Amélie Nothomb, an analog heroine, stands as a bastion of cultural resistance. Amélie Nothomb is a renowned writer who, in the age of digital everything, continues to write her novels by hand. Yes, by hand, with a pen and paper, like in the good old ...