Céline Dion: A Voice Shattered by Fate
Bélinda Ibrahim 28/04 10:44 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Céline Dion, an icon of song, has had a meteoric career peppered with numerous personal tragedies. Today, afflicted by a rare disease, she is engaged in a relentless battle to return to the stage. Born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec, Céline is the youngest in a modest family of 14 children. From a young age, surrounded by music, she ...
‘Juror #2’: Clint Eastwood's Moral Dilemma at 93
Bélinda Ibrahim 24/04 20:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Born on May 31, 1930, in San Francisco, Clint Eastwood is a towering figure in cinema. As an actor, director, producer and composer, he has left an indelible mark on the history of film over a career spanning more than six decades. Now, at 93, he is set to take on a final challenge with his 40th feature film as a director, Juror #2, a legal ...
When Big Brother Hides Within Ourselves
Bélinda Ibrahim 22/04 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
It seems we are living in a marvelous era where the inquisitive eye of Big Brother has found a new playground: our own minds. Like a benevolent lifeguard, he ensures that we do not drown in the troubled waters of our free will. How fortunate we are! But beware, Big Brother is not always an external entity, the big bad government or the ...
Lady Diana’s Dresses, Relics of an Eternal Icon
Bélinda Ibrahim 19/04 14:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
On August 31, 1997, the world was in shock. Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, tragically died in a car accident in Paris at just 36 years old. Twenty-seven years later, the woman affectionately known as “Lady Di” or the “People’s Princess” continues to fascinate and inspire with her style, humanity and extraordinary fate. This is ...
Iran vs Israel: The Geopolitical Blockbuster of the Year!
Bélinda Ibrahim 15/04 10:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Listen to the article [audio mp3="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ladies-and-gentlemen-get-your-popcorn-ready-because-the-latest-big-budget-action-film-has-just.mp3"][/audio] Ladies and gentlemen, get your popcorn ready, because the latest big-budget action film has just been released... except it's not a film, but ...
Damour 1976: Psychoanalytic Deep Dive into the Memory of a Massacre
Bélinda Ibrahim 13/04 11:26 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
48 years later, the deadly attack launched against the town of Damour in January 1976 is still a gaping wound in the Lebanese collective subconscious. Zeina Zerbé, clinical psychologist and psychotherapeutic psychoanalyst, courageously dives into this profound trauma in her book Damour L’assaut, le massacre et la chute de la ville. A compendium ...
Art Under Siege: The Wajdi Mouawad Controversy in Lebanon
Bélinda Ibrahim 11/04 13:27 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Amidst political pressure, intimidation and blackmail related to “normalization” with Israel, many Lebanese artists find their freedom of expression threatened. Despite being a cultural jewel of the Middle East, the Land of the Cedars seems to be sinking into a repressive spiral aimed at silencing any critical or dissenting voice. This ...
Dolce & Gabbana Dazzle Milan With Their Stunning Exhibition
Bélinda Ibrahim 06/04 10:41 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The exhibition "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana" at the Palazzo Reale in Milan celebrates the creative genius of the duo, their love for Italian culture and their unique approach to luxury. The Palazzo Reale in Milan opens its doors to the event exhibition "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana," a true ...
Mireille Khanamirian, Ambassador of Aznavour's Legacy
Bélinda Ibrahim 03/04 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Charles Aznavour, a key figure in French music, continues to inspire admiration and wonder across borders and generations. His legacy, carried by dedicated personalities like Mireille Khanamirian and the Aznavour Foundation, keeps shining throughout the world. As part of the ongoing celebration of Aznavour’s legacy, the Embassy of Armenia in ...
The Extraordinary Odyssey of Decorated Easter Eggs
Bélinda Ibrahim 31/03 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
In the heart of spring, when nature is reborn, an ancient and universal tradition resurfaces to enchant both young and old: the coloring of Easter eggs. Journey through history and cultures. Like a golden thread woven through the ages, the custom of decorating eggs at Easter connects us to ancient civilizations. Persians, Egyptians, Gauls and ...
"Wedding Day at the Cro-Magnons," the Original Cry of Wajdi Mouawad
Bélinda Ibrahim 30/03 18:04 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Thirty years after writing it, Wajdi Mouawad is finally staging Journée de noces chez les Cromagnons (Wedding Day at the Cro-Magnons), a foundational piece of his theatrical universe, with a Lebanese team and in his mother tongue. In 1991, the young Canadian-Lebanese author Wajdi Mouawad wrote Journée de noces chez les Cromagnons, a tragicomic ...
Carla Sayad's Watercolor Easter Eggs
Bélinda Ibrahim 30/03 09:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Carla Sayad, a multifaceted Lebanese artist, has established herself in the art world as a talented watercolorist. Born in Lebanon and trained in interior design, she quickly shifted her creativity towards watercolor, exploring various surfaces and textures. Her work is distinguished by its delicacy and poetry, especially when expressed through a ...
Powerful Portrayals of Mothers in Cinema
Bélinda Ibrahim 21/03 18:12 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Motherhood is a complex and powerful theme that has been explored in cinema for generations. These eight unforgettable performances showcase the depth, resilience, and unconditional love of mothers on screen. In Greta Gerwig's 2017 film Lady Bird, Laurie Metcalf delivers a tour-de-force performance as Marion, the mother of the titular character ...
Celebrating Resilience: Rabih Kayrouz Presents Collection in Restored Atelier
Bélinda Ibrahim 15/03 21:06 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Beirut, the wounded city, rises from its ashes through art and creation. Emblematic of this resilience, Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz chose to present his new Spring-Summer 2024 collection in his Gemmayzé district workshop, beautifully restored after being devastated by the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. An emotionally charged event ...
Andrei Molodkin Gambles Masterpieces to Rescue Julian Assange
Bélinda Ibrahim 14/03 10:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
In an unprecedented gesture, Russian artist Andrei Molodkin risks invaluable masterpieces of world art to try to save Julian Assange from extradition and a possible life sentence. This explosive confrontation of art, politics and human rights raises profound questions. At the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, The Foundry Gallery has become the ...
Amélie Nothomb at the Louvre: An IQ Odyssey Without a QR
Bélinda Ibrahim 11/03 18:23 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In this hyper-connected world, it seems that some still resist the digital invader. Among them, Amélie Nothomb, an analog heroine, stands as a bastion of cultural resistance. Amélie Nothomb is a renowned writer who, in the age of digital everything, continues to write her novels by hand. Yes, by hand, with a pen and paper, like in the good old ...
Chanel Celebrates Its Love Story With Deauville
Bélinda Ibrahim 10/03 17:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Chanel and Deauville share a love story that lasted for over a century. When Gabrielle Chanel opened her first store in the Norman seaside resort in 1912, she could not have imagined that she was sealing the fate of her brand with that of this town. Since then, the two names have been inseparable, united by a common passion for casual elegance and ...
A Magical Evening of Timeless Melodies at Al-Bustan Festival
Bélinda Ibrahim 04/03 18:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
“Life without music is but an error, a tiresome chore, an exile,” Nietzsche wrote in a letter to Peter Gast in 1888. These words ring especially true in Lebanon, a country where culture and art have always held a paramount place. Just yesterday, the resilience of the Lebanese was celebrated at the J’ai deux amours concert during the 30th ...
‘Art Gems’: Lebanese Art Shines at the Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai
Bélinda Ibrahim 26/02 20:10 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Under the curation of Dr. Tony Karam and with the enthusiastic support of Christian el-Khoury, the director of the establishment, the lobbies of the luxurious Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai were transformed into an art gallery for the opening of the Art Gems exhibition. This event brought together the elite of the Emirati cultural world and the ...
And Aleph Created Musical Alchemy!
Bélinda Ibrahim 24/02 13:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Notes that transport. Music that bewitches. Aleph enchanted the stage of the Casino du Liban during “Dance of Sands,” his exceptional concert on February 23. Ingeniously merging Western and Eastern music, he presented his audience with a complete symphony for the five senses. By infusing his music with vitality, energy, and sensuality, ...
Al Bustan Festival and Puccini: 130 Candles Blown Out Together
Bélinda Ibrahim 22/02 18:37 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
While Lebanon faces multiple crises, the Al Bustan Festival stood up to adversity this year by celebrating a highly symbolic double anniversary: its 30th year of existence and the centennial of Puccini’s passing. It was in this challenging context that the lights turned on Wednesday night on the stage of the Emile Bustani auditorium, ...
In Beirut, the Deal Is in the (Fake) Bag!
Bélinda Ibrahim 19/02 13:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The streets of Beirut are increasingly resembling a gigantic open-air bazaar… of luxury bag counterfeits! Kelly, Birkin, Lady Dior, Chanel 2.55, quilted bags, Hermès belts: they are absolutely everywhere, proudly displayed on the arms of Lebanese women or on the passenger seat of their shiny SUVs. “Look how beautiful my new Kelly is, I adore ...
‘Mother Valley’ by Carlos Chahine: A Cinematic Gem
Bélinda Ibrahim 18/02 10:56 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
In Mother Valley, Carlos Chahine delivers a nuanced portrait of Lebanon in 1958, capturing with finesse a woman’s quest for freedom in a changing world. This Franco-Lebanese film skillfully blends historical drama with intimate exploration, establishing itself as a major work in the cinematic landscape of 2023. Carlos Chahine’s ...
'Dance of Sands:' In the Beginning Was Aleph…
Bélinda Ibrahim 13/02 18:20 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Known by the now-iconic stage name Aleph, he is set to perform on February 23 at the Casino du Liban. In his upcoming concert, titled "Dance of Sands," attendees won't just listen, they'll also be invited to "sing, pray and dance" along. In an exclusive interview with This is Beirut, Aleph shares insights into his journey and offers a glimpse into ...
Grammy Awards: Taylor Swift, Céline Dion and Intergenerational Disdain
Bélinda Ibrahim 12/02 11:04 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
“Respect is what we owe to those who have paved the way for us.” This is what Taylor Swift must have forgotten when receiving her Grammy from the great Céline Dion. Surrounded by her team and Lana Del Rey, she scooped up the Album of the Year Grammy from Céline Dion’s hands without even acknowledging her, apparently seeing her merely as a ...
'Last Call' or the Bittersweet Era of Notifications
Bélinda Ibrahim 06/02 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Ah, the era of notifications, that sweet melody of the 21st century that resonates with the harmony of an alarm at 3 in the morning. Ding! Your smartphone, that ever-faithful companion, calls out to you with the urgency of a general on the battlefield. “Last call,” you think, heart pounding, ready to face the invasion of the most catastrophic ...
‘Tnein Bel Lel:’ An Evening of Unbridled Laughter
Bélinda Ibrahim 04/02 13:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Attending a theater performance on a Saturday night in Beirut can hold its share of (good) surprises, as the Le Monnot theater provides so well. Such is the case with Tnein Bel Lel, an eccentric and bold musical comedy, distinguished by its originality and element of surprise. A true laughter therapy is guaranteed. [video width="960" height="960" ...
‘Redeeming Love’ Transforms Biblical Tale into Cinematic Gem
Bélinda Ibrahim 03/02 18:12 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Available on Netflix, Redeeming Love offers a heartwarming adaptation of Francine Rivers’s bestseller, skillfully weaving a narrative of unwavering love and redemption set against the gritty backdrop of the California Gold Rush. In an era where cinema often grapples with the challenge of marrying profound themes with compelling storytelling, ...
‘The Last Letter From Your Lover:’ A Tale of Love Lost
Bélinda Ibrahim 23/01 13:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
In a world brimming with cinematic adaptations, The Last Letter from Your Lover emerges as a poignant exploration of love and memory. Directed by Augustine Frizzell, this film, based on Jojo Moyes’ 2012 novel, intertwines past and present, weaving together two romances separated by time, yet linked by the power of love letters. While it ...
January Is Not Over Yet, So Happy New Year… 1984!
Bélinda Ibrahim 22/01 11:56 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
“Where have your Monday columns gone?” several people have asked me. Those posts that recounted the improbable adventures of the sexagenarians in a world just as improbable. I acknowledged that I lacked the typical lightness of those kinds of writings... due to the spirit of the times, no doubt… So, as I pick up my pen in this year, 2024, ...