Culture

DJ Rodge Revives Beirut Souks
DJ Rodge Revives Beirut Souks

DJ Rodge's beats resonated all night long and united families for a magical evening at Beirut Souks, marking the joyous holiday season and creating timeless memories for all ages.

'Schedryk:' A Historical Return of a Ukrainian Christmas Carol in Kyiv
'Schedryk:' A Historical Return of a Ukrainian Christmas Carol in Kyiv

Last Sunday in Kyiv, the Kyiv Philharmonic resonated with the sounds of Schedryk, better known in the Anglo-Saxon world as the Carol of the Bells. This traditional Ukrainian song, first performed in the city in 1916, reveals a rich and little-known history. Composer Mykola Leontovytch transcribed this melody in the early 20th century, thereby ...

'Pilgrimages in Music' With Richard Moukarzel at Beit Tabaris
'Pilgrimages in Music' With Richard Moukarzel at Beit Tabaris

A captivating musical event awaits classical music enthusiasts and aficionados: the lecture-recital by Richard Moukarzel at Beit Tabaris. This exceptional event, scheduled for Thursday, December 28, at 7 PM, promises to be an immersive and enlightening journey through the world of classical music. Richard Moukarzel, a distinguished graduate in ...

'Home for Christmas' Play Extended at Le Monnot Theater
'Home for Christmas' Play Extended at Le Monnot Theater

The Bouffons present Home for Christmas, a family show in French featuring Cynthya Karam at Le Monnot theater. Written and directed by Bruno Tabbal, the play, initially performed on December 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 at 4:30 PM, has been extended with additional shows on December 21, 29 and 30. The audience is captivated by beautiful Christmas ...

Big City Lights and the Magic of New York
Big City Lights and the Magic of New York

The Christmas season in New York City embodies a uniquely enchanting atmosphere, marked by dazzling lights and captivating decorations. This period is particularly significant in American culture, a fact evidenced by the exuberant manner in which residents decorate their homes. As New York City gets ready for New Year's Eve and wraps up the ...

The Nativity Scene: Between Ancestral Tradition and Secular Modernity
The Nativity Scene: Between Ancestral Tradition and Secular Modernity

As the year 2023 draws to a close, marking the 800th anniversary of the Nativity scene, a spirited debate re-emerges in the heart of France, a country where, as Victor Hugo poignantly observed, “The shape of a city changes more quickly, alas, than the heart of a mortal.” This discourse, centered around the public display of religious symbols, ...

The Magic of Harmonies: Christmas in Music (2/2)
The Magic of Harmonies: Christmas in Music (2/2)

As Christmas approaches, musical scores come to life, filling the air with their festive spirit. In the second article of this series, This Is Beirut invites you to (re)discover three popular Christmas tunes that have soothed generations, perpetuating the magic of Christmas to this day. As soon as the wind sweeps away the last russet leaves, ...

Origins of Christmas Tree and Gifts: Roots of Tradition
Origins of Christmas Tree and Gifts: Roots of Tradition

The origins of the Christmas tree and holiday gifts, two quintessential elements of end-of-year festivities, lie at the intersection of ancient pagan practices, Christian customs, and cultural and commercial evolution. A step back in time reveals the roots of these traditions. The tradition of the Christmas tree can be traced back to antiquity. ...

Fashion: Holiday Trends in 2023
Fashion: Holiday Trends in 2023

Each festive season brings its own surprises, and 2023 is no exception. While certain classic trends like sequins have stuck around, this year promises a burst of newness in the world of festive style. Let’s embark on a whirlwind of innovations set to redefine our approach to festive chic! Lurex Once relegated to the annals of fashion, Lurex ...

The Magic of Harmonies: Christmas in Music (1/2)
The Magic of Harmonies: Christmas in Music (1/2)

As Christmas gets closer, musical scores come to life, filling the air with their festive spirit. For this occasion, This is Beirut invites you, in the first article of this series, to (re)discover three masterpieces of Western art music that celebrate the Nativity, illuminating the season with their timeless brilliance. As soon as the wind ...

Houda Kassatly: ‘All my Work is Light’
Houda Kassatly: ‘All my Work is Light’

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, the Alice Mogabgab Gallery in Beirut was the venue for the unveiling of "Beyrouth, de verre et de couleurs," (Beirut, of glass and colors) a seminal work by Houda Kassatly. This 260-page tome, published by Éditions Al Ayn, delves into the use of colored glass in the historic homes of Beirut. Capturing images both ...

Carole Bouquet Expresses Concerns for Ex-Partner Depardieu Amid Allegations
Carole Bouquet Expresses Concerns for Ex-Partner Depardieu Amid Allegations

In the midst of the media and legal scrutiny surrounding French actor Gérard Depardieu, accused of rape and sexual assault, renowned actress and Depardieu’s former partner, Carole Bouquet, has publicly expressed her concerns about her ex-partner. During a recent appearance on the show “Quotidien” on TMC, Bouquet shared her mixed feelings ...