post 128/365
“Nshallah”, lebanese for ʾin shāʾa llāh, meaning God willing, or if Allah wills, although claimed to be an essentially Islamic expression, is more accurately understood as a Middle Eastern, and especially Levantine, expression. Its enthusiastic utterers include Lebanese of all religious backgrounds. It’s equivalent to saying hopefully.
post 126/365
The drive up from the cost to the captivating weaving lush green mountains leads to the heart of Deir El Qamar. Deir El Qamar’s, translates to Monastery of the Moon, not only preserves its grand feudal architecture, but its old stepped streets, walled gardens and picturesque corners as well.
post 125/365
Al-Shamas Abdullah Zakher founded the first Arabic printing press in Lebanon in 1734. The press is located in Deir Mar Youhana in Khinshara, which dates back to the 12th century. The printing press operated from 1734 till 1899. It was the first Arabic script printing press in Lebanon, but it was the second printing press in general since in 1610 the first Syriac script printing press was established in Deir Mar Antonious in Quzhayya near the valley of the saints in the North of Lebanon (https://365daysoflebanon.com/2016/02/03/the-first-printing-press/).
post 124/365
As winter nights get colder, a white coffee-less latte that smells like a fragrant dessert full of aromas and texture gets prepared in Lebanese homes. It’s a gorgeous drink that is sweet, warm, spicy, creamy, crunchy, chewy and fragrant all at once.
post 123/365
A picture perfect birthday, balloons, kids running around, pop corn, cakes, mummies and nannies, music, and last but not least the birthday cake. As we gather around to sing happy birthday to the birthday boy/girl, we gather all our strength and take a deep breath, as we know there will be a four-minute medley of happy birthday in all languages. Well, I might be exaggerating a little bit, but it is true. If we knew more then 3 languages in Lebanon we would probably be singing in as many as we could.
post 122/365
The scent of nostalgia, the memory of loved ones, the calling of home, all perpetuated in small trinkets, house objects, and china plates. Basta is a true reflection of Beirut’s old beauty. The antiques, their owners, their history, the shops, the buildings on top of them, everything hints the sense of a city rich in stunning artifacts with an appreciation for beautiful living.
post 119/365
Life is a mysterious cycle of ups and downs, of birth and death, of love and break ups. Today’s post is in memory and honor of my aunt Samira Karam Mady, a great woman in deed whom I loved dearly.
post 118/365
Maroun Bagdadi was arguably Lebanon’s most prominent filmmaker, one whose work has been seen all over the world. One of his best-known films, “Houroub Saghira” (Little Wars), a narrative on the brutalities of Lebanon’s civil war, was shown at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, drawing this comment from a prominent film critic: “To make a film about Beirut that eschews polemics for more universal, more human issues is an achievement.” In 1975, he directed his first feature film, Beyrouth ya Beyrouth, Koullouna Lil Watan, a 75-minute documentary produced in 1979, won the Jury Honor Prize at the International Leipzig Festival Documentary and Animated Film.
post 117/365
In Lebanon, we practically have a different kind of dessert for every occasion. Meghleh to celebrate the birth of a child, Snayniyeh for teething, Maamoul for Easter, Awwamat for Ghtas, killaj for Ramadan, a’mhiye for Barbara, and. Every dessert’s name hides a little story behind it. Snayniyeh is derived from “snan”, which means teeth and this scrumptious dessert is usually prepared to celebrate the appearance of a child’s first tooth.
post 116/365
Scanning the landscape with its breathtaking aerial view, they soar above. Dreams are made of this flight of fancy soaring higher, dodging the clouds, and kissing the blue formations so exquisite across the ether. They fly in circle in a chanting meditative manner. Dancing in loops, till they all seem like they are merging into one. The progression of their dance rhythm reminds me of the whirling Sufis.
365 Days of Lebanon 