Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you’re all managing as best as you can during these tense times.

I wish I didn’t have to preface each of these newsletters with the usual “despite the fear of war” disclaimer, but here we are — best to address the elephant in the room.

That said, we’ve got a fantastic selection of stories this week that I hope will lift your spirits a little! The lineup this week really encapsulates so much of Lebanon’s brilliance — its fascinating ancient history, the legacy of its iconic golden age and how even in the face of a potential war, people continue to dance and keep up aesthetic appearances.

I hope you enjoy as much as I did:

1. The dabkeh must go on

The Jabalna dance festival in the Chouf last weekend showcased Lebanese dabkeh troupes from across the country in a true testament to the famous Lebanese spirit — dancing through times of adversity. I’m gutted to have missed it live but I very much enjoyed getting the rundown from this detailed review. Stay tuned until the end to see which troupe triumphed and will be taking on the important task of repping the Lebanese dabkeh at the World Folklore Days Festival in Marrakech.

Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad

2. Olympics games in Lebanon

I learned something fascinating this week: Several Phoenician cities in Lebanon once hosted their own Olympic-style games! From chariot races in Saida to wrestling in Beirut, these competitions were a big deal back in the day. Alexander the Great himself established these events in Sour. The Olympic fever may have cooled down for this year, but it’s not too early to brush up on these fun facts to impress your friends at the next games!

Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad

3. Long-lost Lebanese song from the 60s

Fifi Abou Dib takes us on a journey back to 1960s Lebanon with a long-lost song that has just been unearthed. “Fakir,” a tune that never saw the light of day until now, has been revived by Radiokarantina and Rayess Bek, accompanied by a brand-new music video debuting at Umam’s Studio Baalbek. The video captures the iconic glamour of the 60s, blending archived footage of beach scenes, nightlife, and Arab cinema to offer a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era.

Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad

4. A little piece of Lebanon in this Parisian studio

For another tribute to Beirut’s glamorous golden age, we step into Nadia Saikali’s Montmartre art studio. Now if only I had around $45,000 to spend on art, Sakiali’s expressive, abstract paintings — influenced by her ballet background, swimming at Sporting Beach Club and summers in Jnah — would be right up my alley. The way she describes her art is almost as poetic as the paintings themselves, so I guess I’ll have to settle for just that for now.

Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad

5. How about some Botox as we wait for the war… a little filler if you will?

Despite all else, the beauty market in Lebanon is still thriving. Who knew August was the best time of year for a nose job? In what serves as a very interesting societal commentary, Karl Richa explores surgery clinics in Beirut that are still bustling with clients including high-profile TV stars and socialites who refuse to let a potential war get in the way of a little beauty touch-up.

Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad