This is Beirut - culture

Once Upon a Time, the Shiraz-Persepolis Festival: A Symbol of Iran’s Former Glory

Bélinda Ibrahim, 27/06 17:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Shiraz-Persepolis Festival Iran Music Culture

In the late 1960s, Iran sought to project a new image to the world. Ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the country was determined to embrace modernity. A bold idea thus took shape: to create an arts festival capable of bringing together artists from all backgrounds, traditions and disciplines. The Shiraz-Persepolis Festival of Arts was born in ...

Jonathan Anderson teases Dior debut with Mbappé, Basquiat and Marie Antoinette

This is Beirut, 27/06 15:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Dior Fashion Culture Paris Fashion Week Art Paris

It’s the most eagerly awaited show of Paris Men’s Fashion Week. And for the last few days, Dior’s new creative director Jonathan Anderson has been dropping clues on social media about the contents of his first collection for the fabled French house. In a virtual version of Hansel and Gretel, the 40-year-old Northern Irishman has been ...

Anna Wintour’s Bold Exit as Editor of US Vogue: Fashion Icon Forever

Marie-Christine Tayah, 27/06 11:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Vogue US Anna Wintour Fashion Culture Art

Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Vogue US after 37 years, but she will continue in her global leadership roles as chief content officer for Vogue and Condé Nast. At 75, she’ll now focus on shaping the group’s worldwide strategy. A legendary figure in fashion and the real-life inspiration behind Meryl Streep’s role as ...

Hokusai’s Masterpieces on Display in France for the First Time

This is Beirut, 27/06 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Exhibition Art Hokusai Japan France Culture

For the first time, 160 works by Japanese painter and printmaking master Katsushika Hokusai are leaving Japan to be exhibited in France. The Nantes History Museum, in western France, will host the show starting this Saturday, running throughout the summer. The collection of prints, paintings, drawings, and folding screens comes from the ...

Napoleon Collection Auction Fetches Over $10M in Paris

This is Beirut, 26/06 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

History Napoleon Auction Sotheby's France Culture

A massive trove of artwork and curios linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, including one of his iconic bicorne hats, has sold for more than $10 million in Paris, an auction house said. Sotheby's said it had originally estimated the more than 110 items of Napoleonic memorabilia that it sold on Wednesday at around $7 million. Famous paintings of the ...

Léa Massari, Quiet Elegance of European Cinema and Silent Memory of the Silver Screen

Marie-Christine Tayah, 26/06 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cinema Culture Art Léa Massari France Italy

Léa Massari, the delicate and unforgettable star of the silver screen, passed away in Rome at the age of 91. Born Anna Maria Massatani, she embodied Italian cinema through and through, and won over French audiences with her subtle performances and enigmatic presence. Her filmography was defined by integrity, restraint, and an irresistible charm. ...

Denis Villeneuve to Direct Bold New James Bond Film

This is Beirut, 26/06 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cinema Film James Bond Denis Villeneuve Culture Art

Fresh from his success with the Dune saga, Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to direct the next movie in the storied James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday. The online retail giant has chosen a filmmaker very much in vogue in Hollywood as he makes his first foray into the world of the now-iconic British agent 007, first ...

Farewell to Léa Massari, Iconic Actress of French and Italian Cinema

This is Beirut, 25/06 17:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cinema Actress Léa Massari Obituary Italy Culture

The Italian actress, Léa Massari, celebrated for her roles in L’Avventura and Le souffle au cœur, passed away in Rome, Italian officials confirmed on Wednesday. Lucia Borgonzoni, Italy’s Secretary of State for Culture, paid tribute to “an actress of irresistible magnetism and dazzling talent.” According to the Roman daily Il Messaggero, ...

Byblos International Festival 2025 Returns to Celebrate Cultural Resilience

This is Beirut, 25/06 13:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Byblos Culture Jbeil

The historic port city of Byblos, Lebanon, will once again host its famed international music festival amid a picturesque seaside setting. The Byblos International Festival is making a long-awaited comeback after a multi-year hiatus triggered by the country’s recent crises. Scheduled for August 5–10, 2025 in the ancient coastal city of Byblos, ...

Saint Laurent, Vuitton Light Up Paris Men's Fashion Week

This is Beirut, 25/06 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Fashion Culture Paris Paris Fashion Week France Art

Saint Laurent and Vuitton opened Paris Men's Fashion Week on Tuesday with collections tinged with retro influences, as the industry reels from the revolving door of creative directors and a diminished appetite for luxury goods. Saint Laurent Returns with Playful Retro Style Saint Laurent kicked things off with a playful spring-summer 2026 ...

The Palace of Versailles Brings Statues to Life With AI Conversations

This is Beirut, 24/06 13:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Heritage Palace of Versaille AI Statues France Culture

At the Palace of Versailles, visitors now converse with statues instead of listening to traditional audio guides, thanks to an innovation made possible by two artificial intelligence (AI) partners. The château unveiled the project to the press on Monday evening: a joint effort between American AI systems developer OpenAI and French start-up Ask ...

David Lynch Lithographs on Display All Summer in France

This is Beirut, 24/06 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cinema Lithographs David Lynch Exhibition France Culture

Forty-nine lithographs and three experimental short films by David Lynch are on view until September 21 at the Duchamp Gallery in Yvetot, Seine-Maritime. Displayed across two floors in a dreamlike atmosphere characteristic of the American filmmaker’s work, who passed away in January, “they reveal the spirit of David Lynch, a somewhat dark ...

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