Culture

SpotlightAnna 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 ...

PortraitLéa 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 ...

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 ...

Q&AMatcha: The Japanese Tea Taking Over the World

This is Beirut 26/06 09:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Japan Food Drink Lifestyle

Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and "wellness" influencers: What is matcha? The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and comes in the ...

ExplainerIsrael and Iran: A Conflict Fueled by Desire

David Sahyoun 25/06 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Israel War Iran Psychoanalysis Desire

“The master’s discourse is one that refuses to acknowledge its unconscious.” – Jacques Lacan The war we are witnessing today is fought as much through scorched landscapes as through language. What is unfolding between Iran and Israel is not simply a military or geopolitical confrontation – it is a war of discourse. Each side constructs ...

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 ...

ExplainerGold, Thrones, Diamonds: The Imperial Treasure Iran Keeps Hidden

Bélinda Ibrahim 24/06 17:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran Treasure Jewels Shah Pahlavi

It’s a treasure few have seen, yet one that specialists regard with awe. Behind armored doors, deep within the basement of Tehran’s Central Bank, lies what some historians consider the world’s most valuable collection of jewels—surpassing even those of the British monarchy. Amassed over more than 500 years of imperial history and expanded ...

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 ...