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Observing the pervasive decline across Lebanon’s economic, financial, educational, and healthcare sectors is disheartening. The impact of widespread immigration has cast a shadow on the workforce, prompting a call for urgent rescue plans.
Yet, amidst these challenges, it is the cultural downturn that demands our immediate focus. Lebanon finds itself in the midst of a noteworthy decline in interest in its cultural contributions within the Arab world.
In a year marking the centenary of Kahlil Gibran’s timeless masterpiece, “The Prophet,” it is lamentable to witness a seeming absence of cultural considerations in Lebanon’s current priorities.
Since the nineteenth century, Lebanon has embraced a dynamic cultural landscape, serving as a channel for the diffusion of Arab enlightenment beyond its borders. While deeply influenced by the artistic movements of Egypt during that era, Lebanon’s cultural vibrancy persisted unscathed under Ottoman rule. In a fascinating twist, a diverse array of missionaries brought the insights of contemporary literature, Lebanese theater, and the fine arts, laying the foundation for the Renaissance that unfolded in the 20th century.
Lebanese theater, a trailblazer in introducing contemporary Arab theatrical expressions, initially drew inspiration from global models and texts. However, it swiftly evolved, cultivating a diverse repertoire of intellectuals who transformed the theater stage into a mobile oasis of freedom. Even in the face of formidable challenges, including the haunting specter of war, Lebanese theater stood as a resilient guardian, upholding Lebanon’s esteemed position on the global stage.
Throughout the twentieth century, Lebanon experienced a flourishing tapestry of artistic expressions. The cafés lining the streets of Hamra emerged as havens for the persecuted from neighboring countries. Within these intimate spaces, individuals penned reflections on lost freedoms, articulating their deepest aspirations for human progress and aligning with the universal principles of human rights, shaped collaboratively by Lebanese intellectuals and their counterparts worldwide.
Moreover, Lebanon has disseminated the rich folklore of the entire Levant to every corner, captivating theaters worldwide with its enduring capacity to wield intellectual, literary, and artistic influence on the global stage.
Regrettably, the current crises affecting these realms need no elaborate detailing. The entertainment landscape increasingly favors other countries in the region, leaving Lebanon grappling with darkness and conflicts that not only impede the film industry but also normalize retrogressive ideologies.
The phenomenon of seclusion and societal withdrawal is all too familiar in countries facing economic crises, where religious conservatism permeates impoverished communities to assert control. However, the critical issue lies in the insufficient awareness needed to counteract this phenomenon.
Lebanon is in the throes of a distressing decline, with the majority of theaters in Beirut now inactive. The remaining few tread cautiously, steering clear of controversial topics, apprehensive of heightened scrutiny or reactions from newly conservative individuals seeking a pretext to justify their existence.
In this arena bustling with ideas and shadowy actions, the Lebanese Ministry of Culture has transitioned from a custodian of culture to more of a “shawish” or sergeant. Political dominance over cultural thought has become increasingly pronounced, driven by the growing logic of force.
Imagine the 1950s, when the studios in Sidon led the way in propagating liberated and bold ideas, while today, the stance on swimwear there succumbs to the influence of loud voices.
Envision a time when Lebanese theater stood as a godfather, championing global works advocating for liberation. Today, however, official Lebanon tightens its grip on foreign books and movies, despite their widespread availability on various digital platforms and websites, accessible to all who desire them.
The pivotal question now surfaces: do the unfolding developments in Lebanon reflect the intended message the country wishes to convey to the world, or are we succumbing to an extremist ideology resistant to intellectual globalization? This isn’t an endorsement of every idea from the West; dissent isn’t a crime but, at times, a necessity. Yet, can we fathom Lebanon outright forbidding the discussion of these ideas?
What’s most disconcerting is the potential reduction of Lebanese intellectualism to individuals seeking fortune on TikTok, while once-mighty libraries and publishing houses — former bearers of the responsibility for printing the first copies of the Bible and disseminating Arabic versions of books to the Arab global world — diminish as cultural lighthouses.
If someone embraces this logic, overlooking prior arguments may seem reasonable.
Yet, if genuine cultural resistance exists in Lebanon, a determined counteraction against this plan and an unwavering commitment to bolstering culture are required. This is just because “Lebanon — the message,” about which we narrate extensively, embodies the fundamental essence of this cultural thought that has spanned two centuries and is influenced today by recent decadence.
However, if genuine cultural resistance persists in Lebanon, an unwavering commitment to counteracting this trend and fortifying culture is imperative. “Lebanon—the message,” extensively narrated, encapsulates the essence of a cultural thought spanning two centuries, now influenced by recent decadence. The challenge lies in preserving and revitalizing this cultural legacy amid the shifting tides of time.
