Beirut’s Corniche is packed this Sunday evening. It feels as though all of Lebanon has decided to meet here. People from all walks of life, from every community and generation, are out enjoying themselves, talking, joking, running, cycling, and smoking. As if the scene were not picture perfect enough, the sun has barely set, and the moon is already magnificent.To the untrained eye, the illusion could be convincing. The country looks fine. The people look fine. The war feels far away. The crises seem to be over.There has been something in the air in Beirut for the past few weeks. I cannot quite explain it, much less put a name to it. Is it denial? Resilience? Survival instinct? Carefree attitude? I have no idea.But Beirut has started living again as though its life were its own. It may be a mirage, but it feels good. The other reality,...
Beirut’s Corniche is packed this Sunday evening. It feels as though all of Lebanon has decided to meet here. People from all walks of life, from every community and generation, are out enjoying themselves, talking, joking, running, cycling, and smoking. As if the scene were not picture perfect enough, the sun has barely set, and the moon is already magnificent.To the untrained eye, the illusion could be convincing. The country looks fine. The people look fine. The war feels far away. The crises seem to be over.There has been something in the air in Beirut for the past few weeks. I cannot quite explain it, much less put a name to it. Is it denial? Resilience? Survival instinct? Carefree attitude? I have no idea.But Beirut has started living again as though its life were its own. It may be a mirage, but it feels good. The other...
