“Greeting from my heart to Beirut.
Kisses to the sea and to the houses.
To a rock, which is like an old sailor’s face.
Beirut has been wine, made from the people’s soul.
It has been the bread and jasmine, made from their sweat.
Then why, does it taste now like fire and smoke?”
1984 - In the middle of the civil war, Lebanese singer Fairuz dedicated this song to Beirut. The city that used to be the most prosperous of the Middle East, was now bombed to rubble. Divided into sectors, the heart of Beirut became a battlefield. Muslims against Christians, Muslims against Muslims, Palestinians against Lebanese. The conflict lasted for 15 years, taking the lives of 150,000 people.
Some of the landmarks, like the Holiday Inn Hotel, still stand as testimony of the destruction.
Today, Beirut and Lebanon have risen up into a beautiful cultural nest again. As you walk down the streets you will pass Christian churches and domed Mosques, American cafes and Arab souk. This architectural diversity is also reflected in the modern society, in the language, in the cuisine and the religious heritage.
Here is my photographic journey through this beautiful mosaic of humanity. “Welcome to Lebanon!”
