John Achkar on World Tour: Interactive Engagement With the Audience

Fabienne Touma 2024-04-11 13:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

John Achkar, a standout figure in Lebanese stand-up comedy, is gearing up for a global tour starting April 14. This Is Beirut caught up with him for an exclusive interview. Initially focusing on entrepreneurship, particularly as a leadership and communication coach, while showcasing his talent on stage, John Achkar saw a pivotal shift in his ...

Pompeii Unveils Banquet Hall With Mythological Frescoes

Béatrice Moreau 2024-04-12 10:44 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Discovering Pompeii's opulent past through a newly unearthed banquet hall adorned with mythological frescoes, which reveals Roman life's richness and complexity. In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii continues to reveal its ancient secrets, with the recent discovery of a banqueting hall adorned with exceptional frescoes from Greek mythology, ...

The Looming Presence of April 13

Fady Noun 2024-04-13 11:31 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Machiavelli said it, yet any sailboat owner will confirm it: “One can initiate a war (or set sail) at will, but concluding it whenever desired is not always within reach,” nor is returning to port. The Lebanese Civil War, ignited on April 13, 1975, evidently lingers unresolved. Following the incidents in Tayouneh (October 14, 2021) and ...

Digestive Pathologies: Advances and Prospects in the Levant

Makram Haddad 2024-04-14 22:29 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

At the forefront of medical progress, the IRCAD conference in Lebanon, in collaboration with the Montpellier University Hospital, explored the latest medical and surgical advances in the field of digestive pathologies. On Saturday, the French Hospital of the Levant organized a day focusing on medical and surgical updates, in collaboration with ...

'MESH' Exhibition: Unveiling the Tapestry of Lebanese Art and Fashion

This Is Beirut 2024-04-16 13:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Step into a captivating world where art and fashion intertwine at the groundbreaking "MESH" exhibition, set to dazzle audiences at Zico House in Beirut from April 18 to 28, 2024. This avant-garde showcase promises to be a feast for the senses, delving into the rich tapestry of Lebanese art and fashion from ancient times to the present. Prepare to ...

Paris 2024 Games Flame Lit in Ancient Olympia

This Is Beirut 2024-04-16 14:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The sacred flame of the Paris 2024 Olympics was lit on Tuesday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a  ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. "In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even – and in particular – during times of war ...

‘Back to Alexandria’ at the Women International Film Festival

2024-04-17 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

  In the context of the Women International Film Festival, the film Back to Alexandria by Swiss-Egyptian director and screenwriter Tamer Ruggli was screened at ABC Dbayeh on April 15, 2024. The premiere was a bustling event, with two auditoriums packed to the rafters. Sitting on staircases at the premiere of Back to Alexandria, spectators ...

'L'Art Blessé': A Testament to Lebanon's Resilience in Tripoli

2024-04-18 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

In 2024, Tripoli shines brightly as the Arab Capital of Culture, a prestigious title that rewards its rich heritage and artistic effervescence. In this context, the city hosts the third edition of the traveling exhibition L’Art blessé, presented in the heart of the majestic Nawfal Palace, home to the Municipal Cultural Center. Gabriel ...

James McCartney and Sean Ono Lennon Release 'Primrose Hill'

Béatrice Moreau 2024-04-19 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

In a remarkable collaboration that has sent waves of excitement through the music world, James McCartney and Sean Ono Lennon, the sons of legendary Beatles songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon, have joined forces to release a new single titled Primrose Hill. The song, which pays homage to the star-studded London neighborhood, marks a ...

Reynaldo Sayegh’s Initiatory Journey at the Instituto Cervantes

Nada Skaff 2024-04-24 17:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Reynaldo Sayegh is showcasing his latest series of works titled Puertas del Mediterraneo (Doors of the Mediterranean) at the Instituto Cervantes in Beirut from April 18 to April 30, 2024. This exhibition, the result of extensive reflection on the historical and cultural links between Lebanon and Spain, will also be presented at the AZM Cultural ...

Investors React to Tensions in the Region

Liliane Mokbel 2024-04-19 20:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The finance world holds its breath, awaiting the unfolding of the simmering yet sustained tensions in the Middle East region. On Friday morning, having woken up on the wrong side of bed to the news of Israeli strikes against Iran's center, investors did not immediately realize that the conflict between the two parties, for the moment, resembles a ...

Lebanon Pavilion Inaugurated at the Venice Biennale

This Is Beirut 2024-04-20 10:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The Lebanon Pavilion celebrated the opening of "Dancing with Her Myth," a captivating multimedia installation by artist Mounira Al Solh, under the curatorship and artistic direction of Nada Ghandour, commissioner and curator of the exhibition, at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The inauguration took place in the ...

Enter a New Dimension With Fulvio Codsi

This Is Beirut 2024-04-20 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Simply stepping into downtown’s Maya Artspace gallery immediately immerses you in the striking universe of Lebanese painter Fulvio Codsi. His retrospective, Regeneration, is currently on display until April 26. Join us for a private and exciting tour and meet the artist himself. “The first time I entered the gallery and saw all my canvases ...

Flamenco Fashion Fever: Seville’s Dazzling Dresses Take Center Stage

Béatrice Moreau 2024-04-21 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

  As Seville’s annual feria approaches, the city’s flamenco dress designers work tirelessly to create stunning gowns that embody the essence of Andalusian tradition and style. In the heart of Seville’s Old City, Luis Fernandez’s workshop buzzes with activity as customers flock to try on his stunning collection of flamenco dresses. ...

FSI Semi-Marathon: 1300 Athletes Run for Humanity

Makram Haddad 2024-04-21 18:18 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

  More than 1300 athletes lined up on Sunday at the start of the various races of the 2024 edition of the Internal Security Forces Semi-Marathon. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) organized the fourteenth edition of its annual semi-marathon on Sunday under the theme "Running for Humanity" in the Lebanese ...

Multiple Records at Lebanese Swimming Championships

2024-04-22 19:16 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The Lebanese Swimming Federation organized the Lebanese Championships for age groups (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, and 18 years and above – men and women) in a 25-meter pool for the year 2024 at Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour over a period of three days, with the participation of 423 swimmers representing 22 clubs and associations, ...

No Elections Before Late 2024?

Johnny Kortbawi 2024-04-23 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump

Although the general situation in Lebanon indicated there might be a breakthrough – between May and June at the latest – in the presidential election issue, things look grimmer now. It is almost as if the fate of Lebanon, already low on the list of world priorities, has been adjourned until after the Gaza war. The Al-Aqsa Flood operation, ...

World Book Day: Celebrating Reading and Writing

Sophia Novalis 2024-04-23 12:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Every year, on April 23, the world pays tribute to the richness of literature and those who create it. World Book and Copyright Day, established by UNESCO in 1995, celebrates the power of words and the importance of reading in our lives. This symbolic day invites us to explore the treasures of writing and to share our love of books with ...

‘Blooming Beirut’: A Springtime Artistic Showcase on Sursock Esplanade

2024-04-23 16:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

The exhibition Blooming Beirut, initiated by Christiane Tawil with the aim of supporting the committee of the Sursock Museum boutique, headed by Karina Hélou, is currently being held at the same location. This initiative seeks to transform the museum's esplanade into a genuine cultural forum for the city of Beirut. The Sursock Museum Boutique, ...

'Shou Ya Ashta': A Dark Comedy on Gender-Based Violence

2024-05-29 17:59 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Shou Ya Ashta is a dark comedy in Lebanese Arabic that explores gender-based violence. The play will premiere on May 30, 2024, at Le Monnot theater, offering a bold perspective on taboo subjects. Shou Ya Ashta is a play written by Wafa’a Halawi and Riad Chirazi, produced by Michèle Fenianos and Wafa’a Halawi and directed by Riad Chirazi. ...

‘Mother Superior’ Exhibition: A Captivating Artistic Odyssey

This Is Beirut 2024-06-01 10:38 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Artist Marc Keyrouz presents his first exhibition, Mother Superior, an immersive experience exploring human interconnectedness through a unique visual language. This exceptional opportunity to discover the fascinating world of 55 will take place from June 7 to 14 at Union Marks. Lebanese artist Marc Keyrouz, creator of the enigmatic visual ...

Derian on Presidential Elections: There’s a Glimmer of Hope

2024-04-08 16:46 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, the Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, welcomed the "initiatives and proposals by certain political parties," to break the deadlocked election of a president of the republic, more than a year and a half since the top post became vacant. "The positive ...

Paris Mayor Takes Pre-Olympic Dip to Prove the Seine Is Clean

This Is Beirut 2024-07-17 13:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, swam in the murky waters of the Seine on Wednesday to demonstrate the river is now clean enough for outdoor Olympic swimming events. Wearing goggles and a wet suit, the 65-year-old city leader swam breaststroke before immersing her face and beginning a front crawl, covering around 100 meters (yards) up and ...

The University Theater Festival Returns to LAU

gdeveloper 2024-07-08 15:24 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

The University Theater Festival, an essential event for students passionate about dramatic arts, will take place from July 8 to 11, 2024, at the LAU Beirut campus. The 19th edition of the University Theater Festival, organized by the Department of Communication, Arts, and Languages at the Lebanese American University (LAU), will run from Monday, ...

Bkerzay Celebrates Summer with a Series of Open-Air Concerts

This Is Beirut 2024-07-12 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Bkerzay, the picturesque eco-village nestled in the heart of the majestic Chouf mountains, promises to enchant music lovers this summer with a captivating series of open-air concerts. More than just a place of entertainment, Bkerzay is a conservation project dedicated to celebrating and preserving Lebanon’s rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by ...

‘Roofs of the City’ by Maral Der Boghossian Celebrates Beirut

Bélinda Ibrahim 2024-07-14 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

From July 18 to 31, 2024, the exhibition Roofs of the City by Maral Der Boghossian invites us on a captivating pictorial journey over the rooftops of Beirut. A vibrant ode to the city, filled with nostalgia and an explosion of colors. This summer, the Beirut art scene will be marked by a significant event: Maral Der Boghossian’s solo ...

Olympic Legends: From Steve Redgrave to Usain Bolt – Part 4

This Is Beirut 2024-07-15 13:08 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

A look back at the history of the Olympics to pick out some of the legends that have lit up the Games. Steve Redgrave: Awesome Oarsman British rower Sir Steve Redgrave is the only endurance sport athlete to have won gold medals in five consecutive Olympics: 1984 (coxed fours), 1988, 1992, 1996 (coxless pairs) and 2000 (coxless fours). After ...

Bill Viola, the Visionary Video Artist, Passed Away

Béatrice Moreau 2024-07-15 14:16 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Bill Viola, the pioneering video artist known for his emotionally charged installations, died at 73, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced contemporary art and redefined the medium's potential. Bill Viola, the visionary American artist who transformed video into a medium of profound emotional and spiritual expression, passed away on ...

‘Chou Mnelbous?’ Anjo Rihane Performs Love, Life and Death

2024-07-15 18:14 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Chou mnelbous? (“What do we wear?”) is a play performed by Anjo Rihane and directed by Yehia Jaber at the Le Monnot Theater. Following the success of Moujaddara Hamra, the duo continues to garner acclaim. Chou mnelbous?, performed by Anjo Rihane and directed by Yehya Jaber at the Le Monnot Theater, is a work that subtly and movingly blends ...

Olympic Legends: From Kohei Uchimura to Simone Biles - Part 5

This Is Beirut 2024-07-16 12:44 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

AFP continues its look back at the history of the Olympics to pick out some of the legends who have lit up the Games. Kohei Uchimura: The Beautiful Move Kohei Uchimura, the son of gymnasts, was in the gym by the age of three. "King Kohei" strove for elegance in his every move and won back-to-back all-around Olympic titles at the 2012 and 2016 ...