Lebanon’s distinct cultural identity is all around us, it’s palpable in the air, in the colourful posters splashed across the streets of Beirut, in the music floating out of its cafes and of course, in the stories we share each week Breakfast in Bed. But novelist and essayist Carole H. Dagher recently made a compelling case about how the new Lebanese government must wield this strength with concrete policy measures to redefine the country’s cultural diplomacy and reclaim its place on the global stage.

With that in mind, this week’s edition pays special attention to Lebanon’s cultural influence abroad, recognized for its architecture, cinema and fashion in Germany, London, Venice and beyond! 

Georges Khabbaz on learning German 

Lebanese actor Georges Khabbaz, is a prime example. He recently found himself at the Berlinale film festival for the premiere of Yunan, directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin, the only Arab film featured. How did he prepare for the role? What does it feel like acting in German compared to Arabic? Does he prefer acting in movies rather than theater? 

And what about his co-star, the legendary Nidal al-Achkar? She reflects on return to cinema, her regrets and her future projects in a candid interview with OT.

Tracing Lina Soulaem’s family in ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’ 

I don’t know about you, but the buzz around Bye Bye Tiberias has been following me everywhere and after reading Gilles Khoury’s interview with film maker, Lina Soualem, I’m even more desperate to see it. The personal documentary about a Palestinian family, exile and uprooting is showing now at Metropolis in Beirut – who’s joining me?

Lina Ghotmeh to design British Museum wing

The British Museum has always carried a strange nostalgia for me — wandering its halls with my grandfather, half in awe, half wondering should this all be here? Now, I have a fresh reason to visit: Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign its West Range galleries, beating out 60 competing firms. What set her vision apart? 

A touch of Lebanon at Alaïa 

The closest I’ll probably ever get to an Alaïa garment is flipping through the pages of Alaïa by Seklaoui — and honestly, I’ll take it. In Gilles Khoury’s interview, photographer Anthony Seklaoui shares how he went from fumbling with a camera to capturing the behind-the-scenes magic of one of fashion’s most iconic houses. 

Lebanese soil in Venice

Finally, Lebanon is heading to the Venice Architecture Biennale with The Land Remembers, an installation by Collective for Architecture Lebanon that tackles the devastation of Southern Lebanon’s soil, and an exhibition that will literally grow. Pay a virtual visit by reading May Makerem’s article.