Credit: Jaimee Lee Haddad
No doubt we could all benefit from a comforting morning in bed this weekend. While the news has been particularly tense, if you are seeking a bit of escapism from the headlines, you don’t have to look far to see that cultural life in Lebanon keeps going, despite the challenging circumstances.
Our picks from this week run the gamut from literature and film to art and fashion. And, of course, Breakfast in Bed would not be complete without a culinary story to fuel you for the weekend.
On the menu this week...
1. Will Lebanese designer Christopher Esber win this prestigious fashion prize in Paris ?
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad.
Here in Lebanon we love our fashion. With the likes of Elie Saab reaching international fame, the country is no stranger to nurturing world-renowned designers. And here’s a new name for you to get to know: Christopher Esber. Having garnered prestigious recognition from Vogue Italia and Australia’s Woolmark Award, the Australian-Lebanese fashion designer could soon be adding the 2024 Parisian National Association for the Development of the Fashion Arts (ANDAM) prize to his list of achievements. This is the award that propelled the likes of Martin Margiela, Viktor&Rolf, Jeremy Scott and more. Fifi Abou Dib looks into his impressive designs, photographed here on the one and only Dua Lipa.
2. How many words do you know in ‘Arab queer slang?’
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad.
Maybe you’ve heard the words "mukhannat" or "Tobçi" but do you know where they come from ? I personally didn’t, but thankfully Marwan Kaabour’s groundbreaking book provides us with a dictionary of queer language in the Arab world. In it he compiled words from different dialects, tracing their roots and tracking how they change over time. This pride month, Kaabour opens up to L’Orient Today about just how meaningful launching the book in Beirut has been, sharing personal anecdotes of his experience growing up as part of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. We hope you learn something new!
3. How authentic is this famous Beiruti French Bistro?
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad.
Now it wouldn’t be Breakfast In Bed if we didn’t offer you some foodie recommendations this weekend. So, if you’re dreaming of a taste of Paris in the heart of Beirut, French Bistro Couqley is thought to be a go-to spot. Renowned for its chic ambiance and authentic French classics, Couqley has earned a reputation as one of the city’s top dining destinations. But our esteemed food critic, Cordon Courtine, is a tough one to please, did it manage to win them over ? Find out their verdict here.
4. A cinematic perspective of Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad.Planning a movie night this weekend to sit under the AC and escape the summer heat ? Perhaps you’d be interested in "Valley of Exile," a film offering a raw and fresh perspective on the Syrian refugee experience in Lebanon. Directed by Iranian-Canadian Anna Fahr, the story follows sisters, Rima and Nour, who flee Damascus and end up in the Bekaa Valley. Lola Maupas unpacks how Fahr’s unique style reframes the way we think about refugee stories.
5. Pause and reflect at an outdoor sculpture exhibition in Beirut
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad.
And finally, while you sit sipping your coffee in bed, I invite you to join Nanette Ziade Ritter as she guides us through an outdoor sculpture exhibition at the ESA gardens in Beirut. It is here that Nadim Karam, the sculptor behind "The Gesture" at the port of Beirut, unveils his new exhibition "Vie sur Vie" where heavy iron planks meet vibrant floral arrangements. His exploration of absurdism and the human condition, particularly in the Lebanese context offers us plenty of food for thought, particularly at this moment in time.
That’s all for this week. We hope, among the chaos, you manage to find a moment of peace this weekend to enjoy these stories.
