The Beirut Banyan

Video version:

https://youtu.be/AgfKUejHnkg

Al Wadi (Part 2) catches up with Gabrielle Elia, author of 'Impressions of My Youth in Lebanon'.

We dive deep into Wadi Abu Jmeel's history - a bygone neighborhood once central to downtown Beirut - and the Lebanese Jewish community's position in a time of post-independence uncertainty for Lebanon.

Our discussion explores Gabrielle's childhood, full of an innocent joy that she retains. We also talk about relics both abandoned and restored of a once vibrant community's rich and troubled past.

Our conversation also touches on the storytelling craft, and why Gabrielle continues to write about a country she left over half a century ago.

If you haven't already, listen to the first episode of Al Wadi (Episode 170) released in June 2020:

https://soundcloud.com/thebeirutbanyan/ep170

And check out all her books (including 'Impressions of My Youth in Lebanon') via the following Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%22Gabrielle+Elia%22&i=stripbooks

Special thanks to Christian Konjian and Charlotte Gaudreau for helping film in Montreal.

Soundtrack by Marc Codsi.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

3:01 Michel & Michel

29:48 Architecture

40:12 Moawad & Baroud

55:11 Leverage

We're with George Wardini for Episode 337 of The Beirut Banyan.

And, at times, we switch roles between host and guest.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/RKdAGJs3UeI

We discuss Michel Moawad's presidential candidacy, the 'Change' bloc's Baabda-elections voting record, looking at local politics through three dimensions, possibilities for a 'Change'-'Opposition' alliance and leverage when it comes to lost diplomacy.

George Wardini is a content creator.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

2:50 Career

10:19 Social media

18:24 Not visible

31:06 Silos

36:45 L'Orient

40:51 St. George

44:38 Holiday Inn

1:01:22 Burj El Murr

1:09:37 Grand Theater

1:16:03 Martyrs Square statue

1:23:54 The fist

1:28:55 The egg

1:33:24 Connection

1:39:07 Beit Beirut

1:43:46 National museum

1:48:36 Generational shift

We're with Zaven Kouyoumdjian for Episode 336 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/S6HAaWIXbTw

We discuss his over two decade career as a journalist in a shifting media landscape, his evolution from mainstay television screens to more alternative outlets, and his newly published book 'Beirut Guilty Pleasures' covering the city's layered - and scarred - history through photography and narrative text.

Zaven Kouyoumdjian is a renowned television host & journalist.

Check out 'Beirut Guilty Pleasures' at Antoine Bookstore and Antoine's online catalogue:

www.antoineonline.com

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

3:03 Four years ago

12:02 'West Beirut'

21:12 Storytelling

27:39 Twelve years ago

47:23 Anxiety & depression

59:51 Change

1:05:39 Personal favorites

1:13:09 Satisfaction

1:23:28 Favorite movie(s)

We're with Anit Tabet for Episode 335 of The Beirut banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/quyly6uhD_c

We discuss cinema culture, movie reviewing, contrasting classic films with newer series, more selective streaming services and how Ziad Doueiri’s West Beirut brought us closer to our respective storytelling careers.

We also discuss overcoming mental health concerns, the pandemic’s long-term impact on cinemas worldwide & where the Lebanese industry stands today.

Anis Tabet is a film critic.

Check out the 'Let's Talk About Movies' website:

www.tlkabtmovies.com

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

A conversation about a friend's incredible strength in fighting stage three breast cancer, going through double mastectomy surgery, coping with cancer's temporary remission followed by recurrence and spread into bone marrow, proactively maintaining mental health despite being bed-ridden for over three months and how she is an inspiration to anyone handling immense personal pain in a time of collapse and uncertainty.

With Aimee Daou of Bolero - Batroun.

Here is the link to Warren Zevon’s final talkshow appearance while referencing “enjoy every sandwich”:

https://youtu.be/giTi8KWSZl4

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

0:24 Complications

21:21 Next phase

31:34 Michel Moawad

48:47 Taif

58:27 Sectarianism

1:07:20 Hostage

We're with Ibrahim Mneimneh for Episode 333 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/bn0M5vwcziI

We discuss complications surrounding the ‘Change’ bloc’s fracturing, the next political phase and how to approach Baabda elections, defending the Taif Agreement and addressing sectarian reform through a long-delayed senate, and challenging our hostage-like situation by producing legislation & legacy.

Ibrahim Mneimneh is a Member of Parliament.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

2:11 What's happening

18:14 Mechanism

30:22 Pragmatism

42:45 Baabda

52:29 Michel Moawad

1:04:52 Long battle

We're with Gistelle Semaan, Iman Tabbara & Ghiya El Asaad for Episode 332 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/lCYHieBqEDs

We discuss the fracturing of the 'Change' bloc, an internal mechanism needed that takes voting and consensus into account when needed, populism vs pragmatism, the Baabda elections underway, Michel Moawad's viability and the long battle ahead and against paralysis.

Gistelle Semaan, Iman Tabbara & Ghiya El Asaad are members and friends of National Bloc.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

I share my thoughts on the 'Change' bloc fracture, democratic voting vs consensus, compromise vs absolutism & October 17's national-political pursuit overlayed with differing lists & districts.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

I share my thoughts on the 10-year marker of Wissam El-Hassan's assassination, joining his son Mazen El-Hassan in Martyrs Square where both of our fathers are buried side by side, heading to Gemmayze afterwards and untangling the political discussions that grew from there.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:32 Cynthia Zarazir

26:08 Organization

45:18 Line 29

1:16:43 Baabda

1:42:48 Serail

1:48:34 Hezbollah

1:53:42 Social contract

We're with Rawad Taha & Laury Haytayan for Episode 329 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/jvDheG_l1x8

We discuss all that is post-elections political terrain and also cover bank heists, the need for more October 17 supporters and groups to organize into political parties, Line 23 vs Line 29, Baabda elections and new potential names for the Serail, Hezbollah's crippling role in sub-state security and reform, and the evolution of Lebanon's social contract.

Rawad Taha is a journalist and Laury Haytayan is an oil and gas policy expert.

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

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.