The Lebanon Tapes with Mark AbouzeidThe Lebanon Tapes @RealLives
Rania Abouzeid is a Lebanese Australian independent journalist who has extensively covered the war in Syria.
As a journalist with more than two decades of experience in the Middle East, she knows the history of the region, how it impacts current events and how social and cultural conditions shape today’s news.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, but she is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants.
She traveled to Beirut during its civil war for family vacations and even in war, found there was life in Beirut, a childhood lesson that guides her work even today during the current conflict.
In this uncut interview,Rania discusses her experiences and perspectives on Lebanon's history, culture, and current conflicts.
She reflects on her upbringing in New Zealand and Australia, her family's avoidance of the Lebanese community in Australia, and her close connection to Lebanon during the civil war.
Abouzeid highlights the impact of the war on Lebanese identity, the importance of food in culture, and the challenges of integrating Syrian refugees. She also touches on the complexities of Lebanese identity, the influence of the diaspora, and the need to reconcile modernity with tradition.
Episode Outline
Rania Abouzeid's Background and Early Life
• Mark Abouzeid introduces Rania Abouzeid, highlighting her extensive experience as a journalist in the Middle East and her Lebanese Australian heritage.
• Rania Abouzeid shares her background, mentioning she was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and grew up between New Zealand and Australia.
• Abouzeid discusses the challenges of having an uncommon surname and the internal conflict of feeling like an outsider despite fitting in externally.
• She describes her family's avoidance of the Lebanese community in Australia, preferring to maintain a Lebanese identity without the sectarian and political affiliations present in the community.
Connection to Lebanon During the Civil War
• Abouzeid recounts her relationship with Lebanon, particularly during the 70s and 80s, when her maternal grandparents were living there during the war.
• She explains how politics were a tangible and real part of their lives, with the safety of her grandparents being a significant concern.
• Abouzeid shares memories of her mother writing letters to her grandparents and the importance of her first visit to Lebanon during the war.
• She reflects on the contrast between the violent portrayal of Lebanon in the news and her personal experiences of a peaceful and idyllic Lebanon.
Impact of the Civil War on Lebanese Identity
• Abouzeid discusses the concept of Lebanese people marking events before and after the war, a phenomenon she also observes in Syrians and Iraqis.
• She acknowledges the existence of a Lebanese culture, describing it as one of hospitality and stories that romanticize certain aspects of Lebanon.
• Abouzeid reflects on the myth of a simpler, peaceful past and how it contrasts with the current reality of hate and violence.
• She expresses uncertainty about the impact of this myth on the current generation, noting the atomization of Lebanese society and the residual effects of the war.
Physical and Emotional Memories of Lebanon
• Abouzeid talks about the physical memory of war in Beirut, with buildings showing signs of past conflicts.
• She shares a childhood memory of feeling safe and belonging in her mother's village, contrasting it with the fear and control her parents imposed on her in Australia.
• Abouzeid discusses the importance of maintaining a connection with ancestral villages, even if it has changed over time.
• She explains how the Lebanese diaspora maintains this connection through voting and official processes, despite not physically returning to the villages.
Lebanese Culture and Identity
• Abouzeid emphasizes the importance of knowing one's past to understand one's future, a belief shared region-wide.
• She discusses the impact of Lebanon's geographical location and its long-standing debate about whether it is part of Syria or a distinct entity.
• Abouzeid highlights the central role of food in Lebanese culture, describing it as a symbol of family, memory, history, and culture.
• She notes the generosity of spirit towards guests and the importance of showing abundance, which is a matter of pride.
Lebanese Generosity and the Impact of the Civil War
• Abouzeid reflects on the change in Lebanese society after the civil war, noting a shift towards selfishness and individualism.
• She compares the generosity and community spirit during the war to the current state of selfishness and hardness.
• Abouzeid expresses concern about the future of Syrian culture and society, drawing parallels to the changes in Lebanon after its own civil war.
• She discusses the Lebanese diaspora's tendency to forget their roots and the challenges of reverse migration.
Lebanese Identity and Modernity
• Abouzeid talks about the contradictions within Lebanese identity, with some embracing modernity while others cling to tradition.
• She criticizes the tendency to forget Lebanese history and culture in the name of modernity, likening it to an older person trying to dress like a toddler.
• Abouzeid emphasizes the importance of recognizing and preserving Lebanon's rich history and cultural heritage.
• She discusses the inclusion of various cultures within Lebanese identity and the lack of a single, linear history.
Gender Roles and Professional Challenges
• Abouzeid addresses the challenges of being a female journalist in Lebanon, noting that her gender is less of an issue than dealing with conservative Islamists.
• She shares that her family supports her career but regrets the danger she faces, reflecting a common concern among Lebanese families.
• Abouzeid discusses the concept of reverse migration and the different attitudes within the Lebanese diaspora towards returning to Lebanon.
• She highlights the importance of maintaining a connection with one's roots and the challenges of integrating into a new culture while preserving one's identity.
Perception of Lebanon and the Lebanese Diaspora
• Abouzeid discusses the difficulty of changing the perception of Lebanon, which is often seen through the prism of its recent war.
• She notes the differences within the Lebanese diaspora, with some maintaining a connection to Lebanon and others cutting ties completely.
• Abouzeid reflects on the impact of the civil war on Lebanese identity and the challenges of integrating refugees into a small country.
• She emphasizes the importance of recognizing Lebanon's history and cultural heritage while moving forward.
Lebanese Culture and Society
• Abouzeid discusses the role of the army in Lebanon, serving as both a military and a police force.
• She highlights the extremes in Lebanese society, with hedonism and war often being the focus, while the nuances of daily life are often overlooked.
• Abouzeid emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexity of Lebanese society and the need to move beyond the prism of war.
• She reflects on the challenges of integrating refugees and the impact of the civil war on Lebanese identity and society.
