Beirut, one of the oldest cities known to man, destroyed by earthquakes at least 7 times, has been known by names such as Colonia, Julia, Augusta, Felix and Berythus, and was home to the world’s first law school. The teachers of Beirut School of Law helped draft the famous Justinian Code. Beirut was then named ‘Mother of Legislation’.
Despite the various total destructions and the later occupations of Beirut by Arabs, Crusaders, Romans, Ottomans, French mandate, and most recently Israeli and Syrian presences, the beautiful and buzzing cosmopolitan city was and still is referred to as ‘Paris of the middle east’. I still remember being in total awe of how many different languages are spoken on the city streets and the impressively rich culture and panorama of arts adorning its galleries and museums.
To be in Beirut is to experience all that the past as well as the future has to offer and it is about finding yourself living the moment to the extreme with people who choose to love life as a first priority. Yes the Beirut feeling is contagious and it can leave you longing to go back with every single part of your being.
25 replies on “Day 27~ February 27th~ Lebanon”
It’s seriously cool! I love old ruin buildings, feels like the story just came out to you first time you saw it, and it tells more when you try to capture it.
yes so true! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Really wonderful pictures of the ruins. The final paragraph really reminds me of this song by Lebanese Jazz trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf entitled “Beirut”. The music video, especially, really seems to describe that feeling of experiencing the past as well as the future. Just a very wondeful contrast and your pictures capture that same feeling to me.
Thank you very much! I am glad that it adds to the imagery in your mind. And great to hear that you like Lebanese Jazz!
Definitely! There is some great music from Lebanon, as well as the rest of the Middle East and I love finding new music from all over the world. So much to listen to out there! 😀
and your descriptions and photos of this city adds to it beauty..would love to visit it someday !
I hope you will! It is a magnificent city!
Another super shot….She has absolutely lovely hair…..
I like the selective blurring technique you use….particularly in this shot… it really works..
Thank you Stuart. Yes the blurring was applied later to help center the focus of an otherwise busy shot.
Subtle but very effective……
Ruins within a modern old city is special.
I mean are special
Yes, they really are. Thank you for your comment Frank
Ohh so cute, the first picture! Just bought a children’s book on Beirut’s ruins in Arabic for my nephew :-). A good read for your daughter(s) 😉 Hafriyyat athaar beirut, by Youmna Jazzar Medlej
Oh thanks for your reference! I will look up the book next time I am in Beirut!
Hiya Mimo! An interesting and informative piece on some of the history of Beirut. I was surprised to read: “The teachers of Beirut School of Law helped draft the famous Justinian Code. Beirut was then named ‘Mother of Legislation”. 🙂
Mimo, I’ve never taken the time to look into the history of Lebanon/Beirut, even though my father was born there. However, I did know that Lebanon/Beirut was occupied by various nations throughout the ages.
The picture of the two little girls (your daughters ??) overlooking some ancient ruins to their right, including the architecturally elaborate buildings in the background is most compelling.
In sum, fascinating pictures and historical gloss. Cheers and thumbs up, Mimo! 🙂
Thank you Ron, and yes the history of Lebanon is most fascinating and complex, layered with different periods of influence. One is my daughter and the other a relative. Thanks again for your great support. Just know that I do read your entries in your blog, but I do not always comment because I am always shying away from politics… I read though
Hi Mimo! LOL Don’t worry about reading my blogs, Hon. I realize that our interests are not in the same arena. Nonetheless, I do enjoy viewing various types of photos. Take good care. Bye for now. 🙂
I will see Beirut one day 😉 One of my bucket list to see
Actually, my cousin was the Philippine Diplomat during the Lebanese 2006 war..he assisted 30,000 Filipino maids during the war..He was lucky to meet some of our distant relatives..
Wow, he must have so many stories to tell!
Yup! Will see him on my families reunion on July..
A part of me yearns to return to Beirut … and the other is wary of the changes (since 1989) …. yet “if you can take the girl out of the country, you can’t take the country out of the girl” and I WILL GO BACK. I have often said that had there been no war in Lebanon I would be lebanese, married to a lebanese and overweight (because I could never have been reasonable about lebanese cuisine ) ! Have a wonderful day Mimo. You have made mine !
I know what you mean! I can never stay away for too long! and the food… 🙂
Really like these photos showing the ruin of the city. The first one really captures the feel that a building that once housed families, businesses, or shops has been stripped away against its will by nature.
Thank you! Yes I love looking at old ruins too and imagining what it must have been like!