This is Beirut - culture

REEF: Evening on Biodiversity and Lebanon Facing the Ailanthus Invasion

This is Beirut, 11/07 17:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Biodiversity Lebanon South Cinema Culture REEF

Across Lebanon, invasive plant species are silently reshaping ecosystems. Chief among them is the Ailanthus altissima, known as the “tree of heaven,” which spreads aggressively, suffocating native plant life and disrupting the balance of biodiversity. In response to this growing ecological challenge, the REEF Association created ...

Paris Couture in Review: The Week’s Most Striking Moments

This is Beirut, 11/07 15:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Fashion Luxury Celebrity Paris France Culture

Paris Haute Couture Week has wrapped up after four days of shows that featured the end of an era at Balenciaga, the start of a new one at Maison Margiela, and some surprise appearances and absences. AFP looks back on the key moments of the Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 season: New Eras Demna bowed out at Balenciaga after a decade in charge with a ...

Joaquin Phoenix Battles Pandemic Chaos in “Eddington” Western

This is Beirut, 11/07 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cinema Joaquin Phoenix Film LA Eddington Culture

Joaquin Phoenix struggles to bring order to a crumbling America in Eddington, a star-powered neo-western that acts as a scathing reflection of today’s United States. Premiering Wednesday in France and Friday in the U.S., the film is the latest from indie favorite Ari Aster—known for genre hits like Hereditary and Midsommar. After Beau Is ...

Justin Bieber Unveils Surprise Album 'Swag' After Three-Year Break

This is Beirut, 11/07 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Music Singer Album Justin Bieber Culture Art

Canadian superstar Justin Bieber released his seventh album, Swag, on Friday, just hours after sharing a sneak peek of it on social media. Comprising 21 tracks totaling 54 minutes, the project marks the return of the 31-year-old singer more than three years after his last single, Honest, a duet with Don Toliver. His previous album, Justice, was ...

Bob Dylan to Perform Two Exclusive Shows in Paris

This is Beirut, 11/07 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Singer Concert Bob Dylan Paris Culture Art

Folk legend and Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan will perform two concerts at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on October 30 and 31, he announced Thursday in a statement. Currently touring across the United States this summer, the 84-year-old artist is set to return to France this fall for two exclusive shows. Tickets will go on sale to the general ...

Jane Birkin’s First Hermès Birkin Bag Breaks Auction Record

This is Beirut, 10/07 18:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Fashion Hermès Jane Birkin Luxury Heritage Culture

The first-ever Hermès Birkin bag, custom-made for Jane Birkin in 1984, was sold at auction in Paris on Thursday for €8.582 million, including fees, according to Sotheby’s. This oversized black leather tote was the original prototype of what would become one of the most iconic and expensive handbags in the world. Until now, the most ...

Ed Sheeran Swaps Stage for Canvas in Colorful Debut

This is Beirut, 10/07 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Culture Art Music Painting Culture Art

British pop star Ed Sheeran has swapped a microphone for paint brushes, with the fruits of his endeavors to go on display later this week, the London gallery exhibiting his works confirmed Wednesday. The abstract pieces — colorful Jackson Pollock-esque paintings and prints — will be available to buy, with part of the proceeds going to the Ed ...

Avignon Honors Imprisoned Algerian Author Boualem Sansal Through Readings

This is Beirut, 10/07 12:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Theater Avignon Boualem Sansal France Algeria Culture

Several cultural figures, including the president of the Avignon Festival, paid tribute on Wednesday to French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was sentenced to five years in prison in Algeria. The tribute took place during an evening of readings from his works, AFP observed. The 80-year-old author has been imprisoned in Algeria for over seven ...

Netflix’s Latest ‘Knives Out’ Film to Open London Film Festival

This is Beirut, 10/07 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Movie London Film Festival Netflix Knives Out Britain Culture

Netflix's latest Knives Out movie starring Daniel Craig and a host of other Hollywood talent will launch this year's London Film Festival (LFF), organizers announced Wednesday. The third installment in the streaming giant's whodunnit series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, will open the UK capital's 69th annual film and television ...

Demna bows out at Balenciaga with star-studded Paris catwalk show

This is Beirut, 09/07 18:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Fashion Week Luxury Paris Celebrity Culture

Maverick Georgian fashion designer Demna bowed out after 10 years at Balenciaga on Wednesday with a star-studded Paris show featuring Kim Kardashian and veteran supermodel Naomi Campbell on the catwalk. The final collection from the 44-year-old - who is switching to fellow Kering-owned brand Gucci - was watched by celebrities from Nicole Kidman ...

Diddy Faces Sentencing After Shocking Split Jury Verdict

This is Beirut, 09/07 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Music Justice Culture Art

Sean "Diddy" Combs will be sentenced on October 3 for his conviction on prostitution-related charges, following a split verdict that saw him acquitted for crimes that carried more serious punishment. The music mogul was found not guilty of sweeping racketeering and sex trafficking charges after the marathon trial in which he was accused of ...

Cinema: Superman’s Comeback as a Vulnerable Hero

This is Beirut, 09/07 12:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Superman Cinema Culture Art Film

More than 10 years after his last big-screen appearance, the red-caped superhero returns to theaters this week in a new film simply titled Superman, in which he appears vulnerable in a world where he's no longer universally admired. To take on the role, a low-key actor more used to supporting roles was cast: David Corenswet, 32. He“looks like ...

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