Culture

Alarm in France over fate of prize-winning French-Algerian writer

This is Beirut 22/11 17:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Algeria France Boualem Sansal Islam Literature

French President Emmanuel Macron is concerned about the "disappearance" of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, his office said, after reports that the prize-winning novelist had been arrested in Algeria. Sansal, a major figure in francophone modern literature, is known for his strong stances against both authoritarianism and Islamism as well ...

K-Dramas Offer Therapeutic Benefits, Experts Suggest

This is Beirut 22/11 14:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Film Series Korea

If you've ever binge-watched an entire season of a K-drama like Squid Game or Crash Landing On You, one Korean-American expert has good news: it's likely improved your mental health. High production values, top-notch acting and attractive stars have helped propel South Korean TV shows to the top of global viewership charts, but therapist ...

Cinemas Anticipate 'Glicked' Phenomenon with 'Gladiator II' and 'Wicked'

This is Beirut 22/11 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Box Office Movie Culture

Gladiator II marks Ridley Scott's return to ancient Rome, 24 years after his first epic, which won the Oscar for Best Picture. Wicked brings to the big screen the renowned Broadway musical, chronicling the adventures of the witch from The Wizard of Oz. Produced by industry giants Paramount and Universal respectively, both films are backed by ...

ExclusiveBaalbeck Recounts... The Musical Chehabism of the Rahbani Brothers

Alain E. Andrea 21/11 22:08 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Fayrouz Rahbani Baalbeck Festival Music

If a country had eyes, she would be its eyelids — fluttering like butterflies, grazing the dawn with their delicate wings to summon contemplation. A discreet yet all-consuming reflection on the landscape. The light awakens us, stirs us from lethargy, and intoxicates us. Beneath our hungry gaze, an idyllic land is instantly adorned with a ...

René Magritte’s 'L'empire des lumières' Breaks $121 Million Auction Record

Madeleine Cadoux 21/11 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

New York Magritte Painting Auction

René Magritte’s Empire of Light has set a world auction record for the Belgian surrealist artist, selling for $121.16 million at Christie’s in New York on Tuesday. This record-breaking sale highlights the resilience of the high-end art market. Created in 1954, the painting had been estimated at $95 million, surpassing Magritte’s previous ...

Coqlico Calls on Artists to Celebrate Independence Through Art

This is Beirut 21/11 14:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Humanitarian Art

On the occasion of Lebanon’s Independence Day, the Lebanese brand Coqlico unveils a bold national initiative elegantly merging art and humanitarian commitment. This innovative endeavor invites Lebanese artists to unleash their creativity by transforming the brand’s iconic finjan into unique works of art. These creations will be sold, with a ...

"Stop War": Beirut Art Film Festival Launches its 10th Edition Against All Odds

This is Beirut 21/11 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Culture Cinema Festival Beirut

The Beirut Art Film Festival will run from November 25 to December 6 at the Bibliothèque Orientale, featuring 25 films, an exhibition, and conferences. This year’s event celebrates art as a powerful act of resilience and a universal call for peace under the theme Stop War. Having postponed the announcement of its program in October ...

ExplainerShock and Survival: A Testimony of War and Trauma in Lebanon

David Sahyoun 20/11 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon Traumatism Psychoanalysis War Testimony

Testimony  "I live in a neighborhood not far from areas that are frequently bombarded. Every day, I am immersed in constant terror. The incessant shelling, the persistent drone hum in the sky, and the whistling of missiles create an exhausting state of hyper-vigilance, fraying our nerves. At the slightest noise, I jump violently, my heart ...

Michel Polnareff: A Striking Comeback with New Album and Tour

This is Beirut 20/11 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

France Artist Art Music

At 80 years old, Michel Polnareff, the iconoclast of French chanson, is making a much-anticipated comeback with a new single, an unreleased album, and a tour across France and London. The French-American artist revealed on his Instagram account that his "final tour," titled Ma derrière tournée, will take him across France in 2025, with a major ...

'Gladiator III' Already in Progress, Director Ridley Scott Confirms

This is Beirut 20/11 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Culture Cinema Film

Ridley Scott's highly anticipated Gladiator sequel has yet to debut in US theaters, but the veteran director is already deep into planning a third installment. Gladiator II, set to hit North American cinemas this Friday, stars Irish actor Paul Mescal (Normal People) as Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe's Maximus from the multiple Oscar-winning ...

Philippe Aractingi Awarded for 'Liban, les Secrets du Royaume de Byblos'

Bélinda Ibrahim 19/11 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Film Award Lebanon 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 ...

Beirut Chants: Resilience Through Music and Community

This is Beirut 19/11 16:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Beirut Chants Festival Culture

“No sound rises above the sound of music.” “Beirut Chants has never been a ‘festival’ in the conventional sense. For us and our loyal fans, Beirut Chants has always been a shared space, a reflection of our diverse community's determination, solidarity, and authenticity. It is where all Lebanese come together, no matter how tough the ...