The Beirut Banyan

We're joined by George Azar for Episode 94 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss photography, photojournalism and Lebanon's recent history shared through imagery and collective memory. George Azar is the Photojournalist-In-Residence at the American University of Beirut. His photographs have appeared in The New York Times and The Economist, and his film and documentaries have been featured in Al Jaz...

We're joined by Marie-Jose Daoud for Episode 93 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss traditional reporting, alternative media, reliable sources and the role of women during the ongoing revolt. Marie-Jose Daoud is a co-founder of Labneh & Facts, blending storytelling with reporting and focusing on the human and emotional side often lacking in traditional outlets. She reflects on the power of social...

Voices from the Square, Part 31 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Gilles Samaha - 41-year old architect. Gilles shares his perspectives on the protest so far, and placing the current revolt in its historic context. He reflects on the demonstrators' potential to 'construct for the future' on an individual, communal and leaders...

Voices from the Square, Part 30 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Faysal Sfeir - 32-year old economics teacher. Faysal shares his thoughts on political campaigning and bringing about a new political system. He also explains his reasons for wanting leadership during a time of transition following the strength of the leaderless...

We're joined by David Corm, Joseph Kiwan and Elias El Hage for Episode 90 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the legacy of Charles Corm and the Charles Corm Foundation's architectural heritage. David Corm - son of Charles Corm - reflects on his childhood growing up in early independence years and residing in a home that was once the tallest structure in Lebanon and the region. David shares his t...

We're joined by Malek Mrowa for Episode 89 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the role of journalism in modern Lebanon's history and the renewal of political discourse through citizenship and citizen journalism during the ongoing revolt. Malek joined the Democratic Renewal Movement (Tajaddod) in its early stages with founding member Nassib Lahoud. He reflects on Nassib Lahoud's legacy, ethical p...

Voices from the Square, Part 29 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Joumana Konsol - 26-year old volunteer at Embrace, and Michel Khairallah - 28-year old bartender and musician. Joumana shares her work with Embrace - Lebanon's national suicide help line. She reflects on the difficulties many are facing with the current economi...

We're in Tripoli for Episode 87 of The Beirut Banyan, and we're joined by Jimmy Karam and Obeida Takriti. Jimmy and Obeida discuss their initiatives in Tripoli and share their personal reflections on the October 17 revolution entering its seventh week. Jimmy's مدرسة المشاغبين and Obeida's ساحة ومساحة are holding regular events in Tripoli's Sahet EnNour, facilitating dialogue and discussions relate...

Voices from the Square, Part 28 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Hashem Adnan, 35-year old theater director, writer and performer. Hashem shares his perspectives on citizen access to basic necessities, and class divisions that have defined Lebanon's broken economic system. He also reflects on what he thinks people will remem...

We're joined by Lara Ariss for Episode 85 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss Levantine flavors and Lebanese cuisine at home and abroad. Lara shares her hopes and reservations with the uprising underway, and her personal expression of Lebanese identity through reimagining local recipes. Lara is a local food writer and chef, and is the pastry chef at Blanca Café Bistro and chef expert at Mint Basi...

Voices from the Square, Part 27 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Soumar Sariedeen, an events planner working in Lebanon and the Gulf. Soumar helped create the 'Thawra Untha' statue currently in Martyrs Square, made out of plastic waste and tin cans. Soumar vents his frustrations at previous pleas with the Municipality to man...

Day 45 of the uprising. If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform. Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan Twitter: beirut_banyan Facebook: The Beirut Banyan Website: www....

We're joined by Giselle Khoury for Episode 82 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the October 17 Revolution and calls for a new social contract. Giselle Khoury shares her thoughts on covering the current demonstration, and the role of women front and center during the revolution. Our conversation includes her late husband Samir Kassir's legacy and his dreams coming to life in Martyrs Square. Gise...

We're joined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb for Episode 81 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the October 17 Revolution and Lebanon's modern history within the context of complex systems and local structures. Nassim is a professor at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering. He is the author of Fooled by Randomness; The Black Swan; The Bed of Procrustes; Antifragile; and Skin in the Game. If you're enjoying...

Voices from the Square, Part 26 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Imane Assaf - director of Art of Change and Ahla Fawda director, and Irene Abdallah - teacher and member of the NGO. They discuss the revolution walls that have taken shape since the uprising's start. If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut B...

Voices from the Square, Part 25 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Fadi Pierre Singer - 39-year old artist and entrepreneur. Fadi shares his thoughts on the necessity of physical presence in Martyrs Square and the courage and strength of the average protestor able to commit to 40 days of demonstrating. He also reflects on the...

We're joined by Rima Abushakra and Dima Abulhusn for Episode 78 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss Dar Bistro & Books - a cafe and bookstore in Hamra they opened in 2011 and continue to manage. Rima and Dima share their reflections on the uprising now entering its 40th day, and the challenges of running a small business during recent economic decline. Our conversation includes Hamra's previous c...

Voices from the Square, Part 24 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Amer Kreideh - 42-year old architects. Adnan talks about Lebanon's independence celebration, how this year feels fundamentally different, and how a new form of citizenship is taking hold. Adnan also reflects on the peaceful nature of the protests now in their 4...

We're joined by David Kenner for Episode 76 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss local economic demands vs the regional political status quo, and US policy vis-a-vis the current uprising. David is a former Middle East editor at Foreign Policy magazine and is a current fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs. If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing...

Voices from the Square, Part 23 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Adnan Nehme - 32-year old senior accountant. Adnan talks about staying emotionally and physically healthy during the uprising. He also shares his thoughts on the role of parliament as protestors continue demanding further resignations. If you're enjoying these...

Voices from the Square, Part 22 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Christy Kallas - 25-year old recent graduate in Fine Arts from Lebanese University. Christy discusses her makeshift museum, the need for creativity and self-expression, and why flexibility and understanding is necessary for unity to persist. Christy firmly beli...

We're joined by Micheline Tobia for Episode 73 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the role of alternative media outlets and citizen journalism during the current uprising. Micheline is a senior editor at the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies and co-founded Mashallah News in 2010: www.mashallahnews.com If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patre...

Voices from the Square, Part 21 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Mohamad Shibly - 40-year old chief accountant. Mohamad shares his thoughts on protestors' ability in preventing parliament from convening to discuss a proposed amnesty law. He also reflects on five weeks of demonstrations and what independence day means this ye...

A special Independence Day episode. We're joined by Professor Daniel Dennett for Episode 71 of The Beirut Banyan, and we go back to the early years of Lebanon's independence from French rule and childhood memories from the mid-1940s of Bliss Street and the banyan trees of AUB's campus. Professor Dennett shares stories of his father's assassination, his return to visit his mother in the 1960s and h...

Voices from the Square, Part 20 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square. Elia speaks to Chantal Bou Akl - 34-year old researcher projects coordinator, and Nay El Rai, 32-year old university instructor and researcher. Chantal and Nay share their thoughts on five weeks of demonstrating and why they're still returning to downtown Beirut. They also re...