The Beirut Banyan

In memory of the victims of the August 4 blast.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/x7v4ktFV21Q

Written and narrated by Mike Azar. Music by Marc Codsi.

0:00 Intro

2:40 Storyteller

10:59 School Years

18:06 Instagram

27:57 Liberating

32:52 Modern Beirut

42:12 Focus of Beirut

49:07 Diaspora

1:02:54 'Lebanese'

1:10:20 Nahda

1:18:46 National Narrative

1:44:20 Phoenicia

1:57:35 Collateral

1:59:55 Saydet el Bzez

We're with Charles al-Hayek for Episode 270 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/4Io4GQGssdY

We discuss the importance of storytelling, history education and the 'liberation' that comes with learning from our collective past.

Our conversation includes all that is modern Beirut, from rapid economic growth in the late 19th and early 20th century and the cosmopolitanism that defined us, to an exploration of Lebanese identity, national narrative and myth.

We also talk about the Nahda's impact on Beirut, why certain words bring out particular sensitivities and a brief discussion on fertility cults including 'Saydet el Bzez'.

Charles al-Hayek is a history instructor.

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.

Previously unpublished introduction to my conversation with Jad Ghosn from his podcast, 'Reflection with Jad Ghosn'.

For the full episode:

https://youtu.be/2-UV_y30tPQ

We discuss the July 2006 war, why I started my WalkBeirut tour and The Beirut Banyan podcast, and a general background to storytelling.

A special thanks to Jad Ghosn for letting my publish the introduction to our episode.

0:00 Intro

1:52 Erosion

9:18 Safety Issues

18:05 Incentives

26:18 Biking Today

33:50 Corruption

We're with Elena Haddad and Zeina Hawa for Episode 269 of The Beirut Banyan.

Video:

https://youtu.be/x1EzebEJM20

We discuss incentives needed to position the bicycle as a serious alternative to car usage as well as corruption impacting all things public sector.

Our conversation includes lack of pedestrian access and viable public transport in Beirut and across Lebanon.

Elena Haddad and Zeina Hawa are co-founders of The Chain Effect.

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

1:28 Part of the Story

9:04 Intimidation

14:52 Crux of the Issue

22:04 Covering Lebanon

We're with Matthew Kynaston for Episode 268 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/KBaDJHgPihw

We discuss his recent interrogation, wider consequences of intimidation and what it's like for a reporter to become part of the story covered.

Our conversation includes Matthew's character-driven storytelling craft and his personal journey to Lebanon.

Matthew Kynaston is a multimedia journalist for NOWLebanon.

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

2:45 Accomplishments & Ageing

10:40 A Way to Express

18:57 Birth Pangs of Greater Lebanon

27:34 Comparing Trends

39:32 Tools Needed to Shield

54:18 Sectarianism

1:00:52 Federalism

1:08:25 1975-82

We're with Chloé Kattar for Episode 267 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/SW0_voCRSiM

We discuss emotions accompanying completion of a PhD in Lebanese history overlapping with the October 17 uprising and continued economic collapse and political paralysis.

Our conversation includes re-examining the 'birth pangs' of Greater Lebanon, comparing foundational aspects of state structure with later geopolitical conflict that spilled into Lebanon, and questions about the evolution (and emotions) of words including sectarianism and federalism.

Chloé and I also talk briefly about her dissertation and the wider role of intelligentsia during conflict.

Chloé Kattar is a PhD in History graduate at the University of Cambridge. Follow her on IG: @leb.historian

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.

Chaker Khazaal is a reporter, speaker, and author. His work includes an acclaimed trilogy 'Confessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara', 'Tale of Tala' and 'OUCH!', penned following the Beirut port blast.

Follow Chaker on social media: IG: chakerkhazaal; FB: @ChakerKhazaalPage; Twitter: @ChakerKhazaal

From long-form analysis to in-depth essays and books covering wide terrain, Tala Ramadan shares her appreciation for the written word.

Each episode will jump into a select work, reflecting on the topic at hand. Guests will include featured authors.

Tala Ramadan is a Beirut-based journalist focusing on scientific, social, humanitarian and educational issues. Her articles have appeared in news outlets including Annahar, Al Arabiya, The New Arab, SMEX, and Beirut City Guide.

Available across audio podcast platforms. Simply search for The Beirut Banyan.

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. Graphics by Tala Ramadan.

This week's article is "Tension & Turf", accessible via the following link:

https://nowlebanon.com/tension-and-turf/

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.

The Written Word by Tala Ramadan, Ep.2

'Borderline Love in Beirut' with Majd Zaher

Majd Zaher is a Lebanese author who nurtured a profound interest in reading and writing his entire life. Majd has written many short stories and participated in numerous competitions.

His book 'Borderline Love in Beirut' is a collection of love stories often concealed under the pretext of norms and culture. This novel takes the reader on a roller-coaster of contradictions and emotions.

Follow Majd on social media: IG: @majdzaherr; FB: @majed.zahr.9

Website: www.majdzaher.com

Available across audio podcast platforms. Simply search for The Beirut Banyan.

From long-form analysis to in-depth essays and books covering wide terrain, Tala Ramadan shares her appreciation for the written word.

Each episode will jump into a select work, reflecting on the topic at hand. Guests will include featured authors.

Tala Ramadan is a Beirut-based journalist focusing on scientific, social, humanitarian and educational issues. Her articles have appeared in news outlets including Annahar, Al Arabiya, The New Arab, SMEX, and Beirut City Guide.

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. Graphics by Tala Ramadan.

0:00 Intro

4:56 What happened?

11:11 'Tfeh 3leik'

19:29 A Way Out

24:09 Action

We're with Yasmine Masri for Episode 265 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/aF6T-JNDKrU

We discuss yesterday's verbal and physical attack between Yasmine and Gebran Bassil's security team, the fallout following national media coverage and wider reflections on where the October 17 uprising stands at this immensely difficult stage for Lebanon.

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.