In 2020, as Lebanon was still picking up the pieces after the catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut —which claimed over 200 lives and injured thousands more — Emmanuel Macron opted to visit the iconic Lebanese chanteuse with the velvety voice, Fairuz, aka "The Bird of the East". The French President bestowed upon her the Legion of Honor, France's highest honor, for her enduring legacy as one of the few enduring symbols of Lebanese national unity. While Fairuz shines in the musical realm, Lebanon's cultural radiance extends further.
The writings of Gibran Khalil Gibran have been translated into numerous languages, establishing him as a philosopher who crafts profound spiritual tools for life. 2 View gallery Overlooking south Lebanon from Mt. Hermon ( Photo: Mt.
Hermon ) In cinema, the talented Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki has carved a niche by offering the West a glimpse into sensitive social issues that mirror the chaos in the Land of the Cedars. In fashion, the renowned designer Elie Saab dazzles international runways with collections that seamlessly blend Mediterranean motifs with Western classics. The list of Lebanese cultural icons is indeed long and impressive.
Lebanon is not merely a land scarred by conflict but also a rich and daring cultural incubator. Around the world, Arabic speakers recognize it as a bastion of literature, cinema, television and even cuisine. In the 1970s, just before the civil war erupted, Lebanon seemed a different place.