culture

Adrien Brody Stands Out in a Bold Revision of the American Dream

After The Pianist, Adrien Brody delivers one of the most defining performances of his career in The Brutalist. This monumental 3h35 film revisits the American Dream, its promises, and its failures through the journey of a Holocaust survivor turned architect. Since its debut in competition at the Venice Film Festival, the movie, set to hit ...

From Darkness to Light: The Hidden Story Behind ‘The Sound of Silence’

In the early 1960s, Paul Simon, then an unknown young musician, composed his songs in an offbeat place—his parents’ bathroom. Captivated by the acoustics of the small space, he refined the chords and lyrics of what would become one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. At that time, Simon and his childhood friend Art Garfunkel formed ...

The Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival: A Tribute to Wissam Charaf

The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, which began on Friday, January 31, and runs until Saturday, February 8, is an unmissable event for cinema enthusiasts. For its 47th edition, the festival highlights Lebanon through an exceptional selection of short films. Some filmmakers are given special recognition, with sessions dedicated ...

Redefining Romance: Emily Blaine's 'Dear You' Series Adaptation

Emily Blaine had envisioned in her novel Dear You an alpha male, a dark and brooding businessman. In the series adaptation, over a decade later, this hero has changed—shyer, less seductive. “Thrilled and proud to be the first French romance author adapted into a series,” declares the author during the press presentation of the series Dear ...

Kumbh Mela: A Sacred Journey of Hindu Faith and Rituals

On February 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dressed in saffron and holding prayer beads, participated in a sacred ritual during the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. A week after a tragic stampede claimed at least 30 lives, millions of pilgrims have already bathed in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical ...

'Le Rendez-vous des enfants:' A Cultural Day for Kids in Beirut

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the French Institute in Lebanon, located on Rue de Damas in Beirut, will host the second edition of the “Rendez-vous des enfants.” After the success of the first edition, which brought together over 2,000 children and their families in February 2024, this year’s event returns with an even more engaging program ...

From Paris to New York: Museums Embrace Change

Inspired by the Louvre's upcoming renovation project, aimed at easing the crowding in front of the Mona Lisa, several leading museums are redesigning their spaces and collections to address the challenges of overtourism and climate change. “In light of the surging tourism, security concerns, the climate emergency, and the digital revolution, ...

Is Hope Bound to Lead to Disillusionment?

Is hope bound to lead to disillusionment? This fundamental question shapes our individual and collective lives, from the intimacy of the psychoanalytic couch to the political upheavals that shake public squares, to the conjugal bedrooms where the dramas of love unfold. Psychoanalysis, through its various theoretical currents, offers valuable ...

‘Currency of Decay:’ Christine Kettaneh’s Exploration of Value in Crisis

Through her interdisciplinary solo exhibition at Galerie Janine Rubeiz, starting February 5, Christine Kettaneh examines how systemic decay impacts the symbolic and practical value of life staples, inviting us to rethink our relationship with stability and worth in turbulent times.  “What happens when the essentials of life – our bread, our ...

Prague Museum to Showcase Alfons Mucha’s Art and “Slav Epic” Masterpiece

A new museum in Prague dedicated to the renowned Czech Art Nouveau painter Alfons Mucha will open its doors later this month, offering a chance for the public to explore his legacy. The museum, located in the Baroque Savarin Palace in the heart of the city's UNESCO-listed historic center, will display over 100 pieces of Mucha's works, ranging from ...

Zeina Daccache’s Stage Replaces Walls in 'Li Chabakna Ykhallesna'

The play Li Chabakna Ykhallesna delves into the struggles of Zeina Daccache and Joseph Jules, a former prisoner, as they navigate a society in crisis after years of confinement. Combining comedy and drama, with comedian Sam Ghazal, it tackles grief, family turmoil and the search for a future in a chaotic world. Directed by Zeina Daccache, the play ...

Celebrating Diversity Through Beirut's 'All Shades of Colors'

After two exhibitions in 2022 and 2023, Artists of Beirut presents this new edition featuring works by 18 artists, along with the Boutique collection. The theme All Shades of Colors brings together an eclectic collection of over 50 artworks created using various techniques, including painting, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, upcycling, mosaics, ...