Culture of Lebanon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lebanese national dishes are the kibbe, a meat pie made from finely minced lamb
and burghul (cracked wheat), and the tabbouleh, a salad made from parsley, tomatoes,
and burghul. The national beverage is arak, a strong anise-flavored liquor made from
fermented grape juice.

Aerial photo
of Beirut, Lebanon's capital

Rue Maarad is a main street in the central district

Palm trees at the seafront

inCorniche Beirut

Sidewalk Cafes are a trademark of the BCD

A selection of Lebanese
dishes from Cafe Nouf
Restaurant in London

City of Zahl at the southern

end of the Mount
Lebanon Range in eastern
Lebanon
The culture of Lebanon and the Lebanese people emerged from various civilizations
over thousands of years. It was home to the Phoenicians and was subsequently conquered
and occupied by the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs,
the Crusaders, the Ottoman Turks and the French. This variety is reflected in Lebanon's
diverse population, composed of different religious groups, and features in the country's
festivals, musical styles, literature, cuisine of Lebanonand architecture of
Lebanon. Tourism in Lebanon is popular with periods of interruption during conflict.
Despite the religious and denominational diversity of the Lebanese, they share an
almost common culture.[1] Based on Article 11 of the Constitution of Lebanon states:
"Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which
the French language is to be used." The spoken Lebanese Arabic is the language used in
public. Food, music, and literature are deep-rooted in wider Mediterranean and
Levantine norms.[1]
The hilly Mediterranean Geography of Lebanon has played a role in shaping the history
of Lebanon and its culture.Archaeology of Lebanon is conducted to explore the area's
past.

Contents
[hide]

1Arts

1.1Visual arts
1.2Contemporary art
1.3Architecture
1.4Literature
1.5Poetry

2Popular culture

2.1Music
2.2Media
2.3Cinema
2.4Theatre
2.5Cultural relations between Lebanon and Egypt

3Fashion
4Holidays and festivals
5Cuisine

5.1Food in daily life

6Society
7Sports
8See also
9References
10External links

Arts[edit]
By the turn of the 20th century, Beirut was vying with Cairo to be the major center for
modern Arab thought, with many newspapers, magazines and literary societies.
Additionally, Beirut became a thriving epicenter of Armenian culture with varied
productions[2] that was exported to the Armenian diaspora.

Visual arts[edit]
Mustafa Farroukh was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 19th century.
Formally trained in Rome and Paris, he exhibited in venues from Paris to New York to
Beirut over his career.[3]

Contemporary art[edit]
Contemporary art started in Beirut immediately after the end of the civil war (1975-1991)
with the alternative artworks of Anita Toutikian.
Many more contemporary artists are currently active, such as Walid Raad, a
contemporary media artist currently residing in New York.[4]
Two contemporary art exhibition centers, the Beirut Art Center and the Beirut Exhibition
Center in the BIEL area reflect the vibrant Lebanese contemporary art scene. These two
centers are intended to host exhibitions and are a must in the world of international as
well as local contemporary art. Many art galleries also add to the local art scene,
exhibiting the works of artists such as Ayman Baalbaki,[5] Akram Zaatari,[6] Marwan
Sahmarani,[7] Nadim Asfar,[8] Lamia Joreige,[9] Jean Marc Nahas,[10][11] Ricardo
Mbarkho,[12] Mansour El-Habre,[13] and many others. These galleries are run by
gallerists such asSaleh Barakat[14] (Agial), Galerie Mark Hachem,[15] Fadi Mogabgab,
[16] Nadine Begdache (Galerie Janine Rubeiz),[17] Odile Mazloum (Galerie Alwane).
[18]
Located in Foch Street in the Solidere area, FFA Private Bank is home to many temporary
exhibitions of contemporary local artists as well as to a permanent display of paintings by
Lebanese artists (Sahmarani, Baalbaki, Hanibal Srouji...) or foreign artists such as
Fabienne Arietti's "Nasdaq".[19] A Jean Dubuffet's huge sculpture can also be seen when
visiting the atrium ofBank Audi Plaza, located in a beautiful contemporary building
designed by Kevin Dash. By Strolling through the streets of the city one can find some
interesting works such as sculptures of Michel Basbous in the Bank of Lebanon street.

Ashkal Alwan, the Lebanese association for plastic arts and a platform for the creation
and exchange of artistic practices. It was founded by Christine Tohm, Marwan
Rechmaoui, Rania Tabbara, Mustapha Yamout and Leila Mroueh. Initially, Ashkal Alwan
promoted and introduced the work of artists who have been engaged in critical art
practices within the context of post-war Lebanon. The Home Works Forum is a
multidisciplinary platform that takes place in Beirut, Lebanon about every other year. it
has evolved into one of the most vibrant platforms for research and exchange on cultural
practices in the region and beyond.
Umam Documentation & Research runs an exhibition space (The Hangar) located
at Haret Hreik, in Beirut's Southern suburb with extensive events.
In the field of photography, the Arab Image Foundation has a collection of +4000
photographs from Lebanon and the Middle East. The photographs can be viewed in a
research center and various events and publications have been produced in Lebanon and
worldwide to promote the foundation.

Architecture[edit]

Gibran Khalil Gibran

Garden and surroundings
in Centre
Ville, Majidiye,Beirut
Main article: Architecture of Lebanon
Architecture in Lebanon includes the legacies of various occupying powers including the
Romans, Phoenicians, Ottomans and French, as well as post independence developments.
When the Ottomans exiled Fakhreddine to Tuscany, Italy in 1613, he entered an alliance
with the Medicis. Upon his return to Lebanon in 1618, he began modernizing Lebanon.
He developed a silk industry, upgraded olive-oil production, and brought with him
numerous Italian engineers who began the construction of mansions and civil building
throughout the country.[20]The cities of Beirut and Sidon were especially built in the
Italianate style.[21]
The Italianate, specifically, Tuscan, influence on architecture in Lebanon dates back to
the Renaissance when Fakhreddine, the first Lebanese ruler who truly unified Mount
Lebanon with its Mediterranean coast executed an ambitious plan to develop his country.
The influence of these buildings, such as the ones in Deir el Qamar, influenced building
in Lebanon for many centuries and continues to the present time. For example, streets
like Rue Gouraud continues to have numerous, historic houses with Italianate influence.
[22] Buildings like the Nicolas Sursock mansion on Rue Sursock, which is today a major
museum, attest[citation needed] to the continuous influence of Italianate architecture
in Lebanon.

Literature[edit]

Khalil Gibran (April 1913)

See also: Arabic literature
Khalil Gibran (18831931), who was born in Bsharri, is particularly known for his
book The Prophet (1923), which has been translated into more than twenty different
languages.[23] Several contemporary Lebanese writers have also achieved international
success; including Elias Khoury, Amin Maalouf, Hanan al-Shaykh, and Georges
Schehad.

Poetry[edit]
See also: Arabic poetry
Jawdat R. Haydar

Popular culture[edit]
Music[edit]
Main article: Music of Lebanon

Fairuz playing guitar

Music is pervasive in Lebanese
society.[24] While traditional
folk music remains popular in Lebanon, modern music reconciling Western and
traditional Arabic styles, pop, and fusion are rapidly advancing in popularity.[25] Radio
stations feature a variety of music, including traditional Lebanese, classical Arabic,
Armenian[26] and modern French, English, American, and Latintunes.[27] Prominent
traditional musicians include Fairuz, an icon during the civil war, Sabah, Wadih El
Safi, Majida El Roumi, and Najwa Karam who built an international audience for the
genre.[24] Marcel Khalife, a musician who blends classical Arab music with modern
sounds, boasts immense[28] popularity for his politically charged lyrics.[24]
[25] Distinguished pop artists include Lydia Canaan, Nancy Ajram, Haifa Wehbe, The 4
Cats - an all-female group - , Fadl Shaker, Elissa, and Mika.[24]
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, Lebanon's music industry is
growing and could attain leading status in the region.[29] Lebanese performers are
celebrated throughout the Arab World,[30] and with the notable exception of Egyptenjoy
increasing regional popularity.[29] Rising demand for Arabic music outside Western Asia

has provided Lebanese artists with a small but significant global audience. However,
widespread piracy continues to inhibit the music industry's growth.[29]

Media[edit]
Main article: Media of Lebanon
Lebanon is not only a regional center of media production but also the most liberal and
free in the Arab world.[31] According to Press freedom's Reporters Without Borders, "the
media have more freedom in Lebanon than in any other Arab country".[32] Despite its
small population and geographic size, Lebanon plays an influential role in the production
of information in the Arab world and is "at the core of a regional media network with
global implications".[33]
After independence, Beirut emerged as the epicenter of publishing in the Arab world,
characterized by free and liberal media and literary scenes.[34] Lebanon's press became a
huge industry despite the country's small size and has remained a haven for Arabic
publishing.[35] The establishment of modern printing presses and sophisticated book
distribution channels made Beirut a regional publishing leader, and gave the Lebanese
publishers a dominant role in Arab publishing.[36] Lebanon hosts annually two important
regional publishing events, the Beirut Book Fair and the Beirut Francophone Book Fair.
[37]
Television in Lebanon was introduced in 1959, with the launch of two privately owned
stations, CLT and Tl Orient that merged in 1967 into Tl Liban.[38] Lebanon has ten
national television channels, with most being affiliated or supported by certain political
parties or alliances.
Lebanon was one of the first countries in the Arabic-speaking world to introduce internet
and Beirut's newspapers were the first in the region to provide readers with web versions
of their newspapers. By 1986, three newspapers from Lebanon were online, Al
Anwar, Annahar, and Assafir, and by 2000, more than 200 websites provided news out of
Lebanon.[33]

Cinema[edit]
Main article: Cinema of Lebanon
Cinema of Lebanon, according to film critic and historian, Roy Armes, was the only other
cinema in the Arabic-speaking region, beside Egypt's, that could amount to a national
cinema.[39] Cinema in Lebanon has been in existence since the 1920s, and the country
has produced over 500 films,[40] some of which are:

West Beirut by Ziad Doueiri, released in 1998, received the Prix Franois
Chalais at the Directors' fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival (1998)
Mabrouk Again by Hany Tamba, released in 2000
The Kite by Randa Chahal, released in 2003, received many prestigious awards
including the Silver Lion, Prix de la paix- Gillo Pontecorvo and Prix de la
Lanterne Magique at the Venice Film Festival (2003)
After Shave by Hany Tamba, released in 2005, received the 2006 French Csar
Award for best foreign short film
Bosta by Philippe Aractingi, released in 2005

Under the Bombs by Philippe Aractingi, released in 2006

Caramel starring and directed by Nadine Labaki, released in 2007
Where Do We Go Now? starring and directed by Nadine Labaki, released in
2011, received the Cadillac People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film
Festival(2011)

Theatre[edit]
Main article: Theatre of Lebanon
Lebanese theatre has its origin in passion plays. The musical plays of Maroun Naccache
from the mid-1800s are considered the birth of modern Arab theatre.[41]Some scholars
like Abdulatif Shararah divided theatre in Lebanon into three phases: translations of
European plays, Arab nationalism, and realism.[42]

Cultural relations between Lebanon and Egypt[edit]

The cultural relations between Lebanon and Egypt is considered a unique kind of cultural
historical relations, Because there is a considerable overlap between the Lebanese and
Egyptian cultures , especially in the fields of literature, theater, cinema and journalism, all
of them played an integral role towards each other especially in theater, cinema and
journalism, that's what was confirmed by the Conference Egypt in the eyes of the
Lebanese and which is Within the activities of the cultural program Egypt in the eyes of
the World . Which is held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, and in
the presence of the Lebanese Ambassador in Egypt, Madeleine Tabar and Ahmed
Ghanem founder of cultural program Egypt in the eyes of the World and an elite of
Lebanese artists.[43]

Fashion[edit]
All Christians and most Muslims who live in the cities wear European style clothes. In
the countryside, women sometimes wear traditional colorful skirts and men wear a
traditional sherwal (baggy trousers). Dress was historically Ottoman, but remains only as
part of the folk culture. Today, almost all Lebanese wear Western clothing.
Famous names in the Lebanese fashion industry include Elie Saab, Zuhair
Murad and Rabih Kayrouz.

Holidays and festivals[edit]

Beiteddine Palace, venue of

theBeiteddine Festival
Main article: Public holidays in
Lebanon
Lebanon celebrates national holidays and both Christian and Muslim holidays.

Christian holidays are celebrated following both the Gregorian Calendar and Julian
Calendar. Catholics, Protestant, and Melkite Christians follow the Gregorian Calendar
and thus celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox
Christians celebrate Christmas on 6 January, as they follow the Julian Calendar.
Muslim holidays are followed based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslim holidays that
are celebrated include Eid al-Fitr (the three-day feast at the end of the Ramadan month),
Eid al-Adha (The Feast of the Sacrifice) which is celebrated during the annual pilgrimage
to Mecca and also celebrates Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son to God, the
Birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and Ashura. Lebanon's National Holidays include
Workers Day, Independence day, and Martyrs Day.
Music festivals, often hosted at historical sites, are a customary element of Lebanese
culture.[44] Among the most famous areBaalbeck International Festival, Byblos
International Festival, Beiteddine International Festival, Broumana Festival, Batroun
Festival, Dhour Chwer Festival and Tyr Festival.[44][45] These festivals are promoted by
Lebanon's Ministry of Tourism, Lebanon Hosts about 15 Concerts from International
Performers Each Year Ranking Number one for Nightlife in the Middle east and 6th
Worldwide.[46]

Cuisine[edit]
Main article: Lebanese cuisine

An array of Lebanese cuisine.

Lebanese cuisine is similar to
those of many countries in the
Eastern Mediterranean, such as Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.
The Lebanese national dishes are the kibbe, a meat pie made from finely
minced lamb and burghul (cracked wheat), and the tabbouleh, a salad made
from parsley, tomatoes, and burghul. The national beverage is arak, a strong aniseflavored liquor made from fermented grape juice. It is usually drunk with water and ice,
which turns the clear liquid milky-white, and usually accompanies food. Arak is a strong
spirit similar to the Greek ouzo and the Turkish raki.
Lebanese restaurant meals begin with a wide array of mezze - small savoury dishes, such
as dips, salads, and pastries. The mezze are typically followed by a selection of
grilled meat or fish. In general, meals are finished with Arabic coffee and fresh fruit,
though sometimes a selection of traditional sweets will be offered as well.
M'Juhdara, a thick stew of onions, rice, and lentils, is sometimes considered poor man's
fare and is often eaten around Lentby people in the Lebanese diaspora.
Beirut and its environs contain many restaurants of various national origins. At the same
time, wine is growing in popularity and a number of vineyards currently exist in

the Bekaa valley and elsewhere. Beer is also highly popular and Lebanon produces a
number of local beers, of which almaza is perhaps the most popular.

Food in daily life[edit]

Lebanese cuisine is influenced by other Mediterranean cuisines. Pita bread is a staple.
The Lebanese enjoy hummus (a chick pea dip), fool (a fava bean dip), and other bean
dishes. Rice is nearly a staple, and pasta is very popular. Salted yogurt is common in
many dishes. Red meat and chicken are common but are usually eaten as part of a dish.
Eating in Lebanon is tied to family: people almost never eat alone. The Lebanese
consider eating out a social and almost aesthetic experience. During Lent, Christians eat
meatless dishes and at Halloween, they eat a variety of wheat-based dishes. Lebanon sells
fruits and vegetables to neighboring Arab countries, as well as to Italy, France, and the
United States. Wine is produced in the Bekaa and exported to France[citation needed].

Society[edit]
Main article: Lebanese society
Lebanese society is similar to certain cultures of Mediterranean Europe as the country is
"linked ideologically and culturally to Europe through France, and its uniquely diverse
religious composition [create] a rare environment that [is] at once Arab and European.
[47] It is often considered as Europe's gateway to Western Asia as well as Asia's gateway
to the Western World.[48]
Mixed-sex groups of youth are very common in Verdun, Hamra Street, Ashrafieh,
and downtown Beirut as well as other places. Premarital physical sexual relations are
very common, although intercourse is frowned upon and avoided by both Muslim and
Christian girls.
The contraceptive prevalence rate is estimated at 58%, of which 34% modern
contraceptives, primarily IUDs, pills and condoms.[49] Prostitution in Lebanon is
nominally legal.[50]
By comparison to most other Arab capitals, Beirut is more westernized and more socially
liberal. Compared to Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad, and especially in contrast to such
cities as Riyadh, Beirut is more tolerant with regard to relations between men and
women, and also with regard to homosexuality.[citation needed]
Notwithstanding the persistence of traditional attitudes regarding the role of
women, Lebanese women enjoy equal civil rights and attend institutions of higher
education in large numbers (for example, women constituted 41 percent of the student
body at the American University of Beirut in 1983). Although women in Lebanon have
their own organizations, most exist as subordinate branches of the political parties.
While gay sex does not enjoy wide acceptance, Beirut has a number of gay bars and
nightclubs, in addition to two LGBT rights organizations, namely Helem and Meem.
[citation needed]

Sports[edit]
Main article: Sport in Lebanon

Safa SC Stadium in Beirut.

Football is the most
popular sport in
Lebanon. In association football, the governing body for Lebanon is theFederation
Libanaise de Football (FLDF). The FLDF organises the men's, women's,
and futsal national teams.
Basketball - Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Lebanon[citation
needed]. In basketball, the governing body is the Lebanese Basketball Federation,
and it is a member of FIBA Asia. The Lebanon national basketball team has
qualified three consecutives times to the FIBA World
Championship in 2002, 2006, and 2010, and the team is ranked 24th in the world
and the women's national team is ranked 61st in the world. The most successful
Lebanese basketball clubs are Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut and Hekmeh, known as
C.S. Sagesse or Sagesse for men and Antranik SC for women.
Rugby league - Rugby league is a popular sport in Lebanon. The Lebanon
national rugby league team qualified and played in the 2000 Rugby League World
Cup, and nearly qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but were
narrowly beaten by Samoa in their final game.
Weightlifting - Weightlifting has been, besides basketball, one of the biggest
success stories in Lebanese sport. In the 1972 Summer Olympics, Mohamed
Traboulsi won the silver medal, in addition to many gold medals in continental
and regional championships and is considered one of the most revered athletes in
Lebanon.
Winter sports - Skiing and snowboarding are popular sports up in the mountains,
and the country boosts six ski resorts, with slopes suitable for skiers and
snowboarders of all ages and levels of experience. Off-slope, there are many
opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
In the summer, skilifts can be used to access some of Lebanon's best hiking trails,
with panoramic views stretching as far as Cyprus to the west and Syria to the east
on clear days. Canoeing, cycling, rafting, climbing, swimming, sailing,
and spelunking are among the other common leisure sports in Lebanon.
Adventure and extreme sports are also possible throughout the country.
Running - The Beirut International Marathon is held every fall, drawing top
runners from Lebanon and abroad. Shorter races are also held for youth and less
serious competitors. Race day is promoted as a fun, family event, and it has
become a tradition for many to participate in costumes or outlandish clothing.
Equestrian sports - Equestrian sports are increasing in popularity, especially in the
highlands of Lebanon, where the game of polo is played in farming villages and
towns around the country.

Rugby union - Rugby union is increasing in popularity, and was introduced

from France. The Lebanon national rugby union team represents Lebanon in
international rugby union, and is governed by the Lebanon Rugby Union.

In 2009, the country hosted the Winter Asian Games, which took place in the
capital, Beirut.

Other sports - Sports such as surfing, bodyboarding, netball, cycling, beach

soccer, skateboarding, baseball, American football, and sporting events such
astriathlons are increasing in popularity.