Credit: Dar Onboz
In 2006, Nadine Touma and Sivine Ariss founded Dar Onboz, an independent platform specializing in creating artistic illustrated books for children and adults. Their works showcase high-quality and innovative contributions that highlight Arab and Levantine languages and cultures with a single guiding principle: Quality.
This commitment is the hallmark of these two women, whose distinctive imprint is instantly recognizable. Their mission is to uplift and unite people in a manner that is accessible to all.
"Our project was born out of love — love for this land and its ancestors, for art, the Arabic language, books, literature, sharing and the desire to be a bridge between the present and the future," said Touma. "We also aim to pass on know-how and the oral heritage."
Touma explained, "I’m acutely aware of the thefts and violations that have fostered a kind of contempt for our identity."
She believes this urgency drives her to recover a sense of belonging, underscoring its importance among young people and a diverse audience united rather than divided by knowledge.
"We don’t just want your informed readers to engage with us, but also those who are curious and eager to learn," she added.
A look back at the inception of Dar Onboz
"Dar Onboz" translates to the "House of Hemp Seeds," a nod to the roasted seeds that come with every [book] purchase.
The platform’s name derives from Touma’s grandmother, known for her storytelling and the roasted hemp seeds she shared with her grandchildren.
Dar Onboz produces visually and intellectually stimulating books, often collaborating with emerging talent in Beirut, and frequently garners international awards.
Beyond its publishing activities, the community-centered platform organizes creative writing and illustration workshops in schools and public libraries to foster artistic expression and creativity among the younger generation. This holistic approach aims to enrich children’s literary and aesthetic socialization and to enhance the value of Arab culture.
In December 2023, amid the crisis and growing anxiety about the future, Dar Onboz opened Dar al-Ahl on Sami al-Solh Street [in Beirut].
This new space welcomes artists and customers and follows an agreement signed with the municipality in July 2023 to manage Jnaynet Ahl al-Dar, a garden essential for breathing and reflection during these challenging times.
"What gives us this motivation and energy is the path we’ve been following without deviation since 2006," Touma told L’Orient-Le Jour. This 3,000 square meter garden, located just 15 seconds from the sales area, is borrowed from the municipality in exchange for its upkeep and is open to the public.
The garden’s caretaker and guardian angel, Maallem [Master] Charbel, as Touma affectionately calls him, oversees its maintenance and guards the space. The garden hosts numerous activities, some announced and others not.
"I needed a place to anchor myself in this city where I could no longer find myself, where I could no longer find the finesse, the taste, the distillation of essences in poetry and beauty," Touma said. "I needed intimacy in a space on a human scale that provides a sense of orientation."
Dar Onboz’s mission is to develop its projects with a host of collaborators, including the artisans of Ahl al-Dar, who have been affiliated with it for some time now.
"It’s a sort of family that is being established," Touma explained, "with whom we are forging long-term connections that are always linked to the flora and fauna, nature, the craft heritage and the history of our country’s artifacts."
Bouzouki festival
The venue also hosts exhibitions and concerts, the latest of which is a festival dedicated to the buzuq, a lesser-known relative to the oud.
"It’s not even included among the instruments at the conservatoire," said Touma. Music has always been an intrinsic part of the Dar Onboz universe, as their books are often accompanied by CDs of stories read with music from various backgrounds.
Credit: Dar Onboz
Starting with the buzuq was a deliberate decision for the duo. "You have to instill taste, which is not just subjective," Touma said.
The festival, which offers a practical exploration of the buzuq to understand its construction, is based on a historical tribute to the legends of this popular instrument from the east and west of the Mediterranean and the Silk Road. It is associated with travel and its rise in Turkey, Iraq and Iran and its significance within popular music, notably with the Rahbanis, including Assi and Ziad.
Today, the buzuq is experiencing something of a renaissance. "Surprisingly, it was often women who played it, especially in the days of the courts," said Nadine.
Perhaps for this reason, Farah Kaddour and her buzuq, along with her first album, are the focus of this 11-day festival. The event showcases her talent and the new sounds she creates in dialogue with Marwan Thome’s electric guitar, Oussama Abdel Fattah’s oud, Samah Boulmona’s oriental accordion and the son of Matar Muhammad.
This is a moment of tradition and knowledge curated by two guardians of cultural heritage, who understand that Lebanon’s roots and past can lead to the best possible future.
The festival runs until June 30, and the full program can be found on Dar Onboz’s Facebook and Instagram pages.