A Timeless Voice: Chris de Burgh’s Enchanting Concerts at Casino du Liban
Bélinda Ibrahim 23/06 19:19 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 21/06 18:07 - Reading : 8 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 19/06 13:54 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 18/06 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 17/06 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
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'
Bélinda Ibrahim 14/06 14:24 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
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
Bélinda Ibrahim 12/06 17:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
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 ...
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 ...