Beirut ranks among world's 10 'liveliest' cities

[Rors]

It was once known as one of the most dangerous cities on earth, with the mere mention of its name conjuring up images of civil war, kidnap and destruction. But Beirut's revival as one of the world's most vibrant cities has been confirmed by the travel guidebook company Lonely Planet, who have named it one of the 10 most lively cities on the planet.

The guidebook publishers have placed the capital on a par with Shanghai, Lisbon and Mexico City on a list which will appear in a new "Best in Travel" guidebook to be published next month.

Rather than glossing over Beirut's difficult past, the travel company cites it as part of what makes the city unique.

The authors pay tribute to the revival seen since the end of the devastating 1975-1990 Civil War that left large parts of the city in ruins. "Beirut really took a beating during the Lebanon's long civil war," the guidebook states. "The city underwent a major transformation in the years following the cessation of hostilities, particularly in the downtown area, and it's now a city of vibrancy and charm."

Beirut's reputation as the party capital of the Middle East, combined with the ongoing political uncertainty that plagues Lebanon makes for a heady mix, the book suggests. It cites major events such as the Beirut International Film Festival and the annual Beirut Marathon as evidence that the city that used to be known as the "Paris of the Middle East" is on its way back to its former glory.

Other cities on the new list range from the sedate Belgian city of Antwerp to the tough Scottish industrial city of Glasgow. The Chinese boom-town of Shanghai, Portuguese capital Lisbon and Polish capital Warsaw all appear, as well as Switzerland's second city, Zurich, Brazil's Sao Paulo and Mexico City.


List of the 10 cities:

Antwerp
Glasgow
Beirut
Chicago
Lisbon
Mexico City
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Shanghai
Warsaw
Zurich

[fidelio]

I think the author is confusing "liveliness" with never-ending premortem convulsions.

[shadow1]

Beirut's reputation as the party capital of the Middle East, combined with the ongoing political uncertainty that plagues Lebanon makes for a heady mix, the book suggests. It cites major events such as the Beirut International Film Festival and the annual Beirut Marathon as evidence that the city that used to be known as the "Paris of the Middle East" is on its way back to its former glory.

كاطاءر المذبوح يرقص من الالم
or shall I say

ذو العقل يشقى في النعيم بعقله ******* وأخو الجهالة في الشقاوة ينعم

[shadow1]

Originally Posted by fidelio

I think the author is confusing "liveliness" with never-ending premortem convulsions.

The convulsion could have very well been a shiver of ecstasy.
Listen to this line In One of Fairuz songs to Barada.

هواك يا بردى كالسيف يسكنني
It could mean the stench from the river had the effect of a sword on her lungs. That of brutality and pain.
Or it could mean It was such a beautiful scent emanating from the clean water of the river, it evoked in her a feeling of security which only weapons provide. And the sword is such an instrument steeped in old myths and tradition.

So it could very well be that the country is struggling to regain this joie de vivre it once had. And there are so many grumpy people around who just dont want to enjoy themselves.

It's nice Beirut is trying to regain its party reputation. It's a first step to becoimg a happy city and a noisy one.

Back in the old days People had great fun, they used to look forward to partying in the summer, the festivals especially Baalbeck. Of course they were all oblivious to the fact the country was brewing with troubles. They welcomed it as excitement added to summer fun.

Be positive man even if you dont believe it. This way you control a position from both ends. Why risk being negative just to find yourself right one day? The victory will be hollow as all eventually are. So not bad to be wrong sometimes even if it gets you better results.

[fidelio]

Originally Posted by shadow1

The convulsion could have very well been a shiver of ecstasy.
Listen to this line In One of Fairuz songs to Barada.

هواك يا بردى كالسيف يسكنني
It could mean the stench from the river had the effect of a sword on her lungs. That of brutality and pain.
Or it could mean It was such a beautiful scent emanating from the clean water of the river, it evoked in her a feeling of security which only weapons provide. And the sword is such an instrument steeped in old myths and tradition.

So it could very well be that the country is struggling to regain this joie de vivre it once had.

Convulsions can be quite ecstatic when whoever feels them also sees a chance of revival. I just can't figure out if the sight is a "fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye" or a mirage that the tired hopeless mind projects.
There's also this hopelessness in Nizar's words that wraps the verses in a leaf of despair.

يا بلدة السبعة الأنهار .. يا بلدي ويا قميصا بزهر الخوخ مشغولا
ويا حصانا تخلى عن أعنتـــــــه وراح يفتح معلوما، ومجهــولا
هواك يا بردى كالسيف يسكنني وما ملكت لأمر الحب تبديــــــلا

I guess there's no passion without desperation afterall.

Originally Posted by shadow1

And there are so many grumpy people around who just dont want to enjoy themselves.

Oh nevermind the grumpy bunch. They are too interested in palavers than to concentrate on the "vivre", let alone the "joie" of it. I guess They have other pleasures to pursue.

Originally Posted by shadow1

It's nice Beirut is trying to regain its party reputation. It's a first step to becoimg a happy city and a noisy one.

Back in the old days People had great fun, they used to look forward to partying in the summer, the festivals especially Baalbeck. Of course they were all oblivious to the fact the country was brewing with troubles. They welcomed it as excitement added to summer fun.

As for Beirut, i don't think it can be qualified as a city or a capital to start with. Each and every person has his own definition (even borders) of this noun. Beirut is a slippery patchwork of so many and so much different communities that it's practically impossible to see all of them happy at the same time and for the same reasons.
But to be fair, Beirut does offer varied and interesting times that can cater to almost anyone who can find her/his own spectacle. The problem is that it takes some time and effort to find them.
Some people ARE having fun in this day and age shadow, each in her/his own way. The recipe is quite simple; they just forget about the unbearable pity for the suffering of others. Whether it's a positive or a negative thing to do.

Originally Posted by shadow1

Be positive man even if you dont believe it. This way you control a position from both ends. Why risk being negative just to find yourself right one day? The victory will be hollow as all eventually are. So not bad to be wrong sometimes even if it gets you better results.

Thank you for the thoughtful advice shadow, it is absolutely right.
My small amount of delusional haughtiness does sometimes get in the way of what should be a modest sense of carpe diem.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S: did you hear Fairuz's relatively new song "beyti zghir bi canada" ?
بيتي زغير بكندا
ما بدي يزوروا حدا
إلا اللي قلبي اختارو.. قللو سرارو
لشو فتش بهالكون
وبعرف السعادة هون
بقلب بيتي الزغير بكندا

[shadow1]

Originally Posted by fidelio

Convulsions can be quite ecstatic when whoever feels them also sees a chance of revival. I just can't figure out if the sight is a "fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye" or a mirage that the tired hopeless mind projects.

Whether it is one or the other , it's reality that you cant change. What you can have a little more control over is the perception.
I can often argue one point and its opposite with the same conviction and persuation, yet when it comes to choosing, it's our human conditions that dictate our partiality.

There's also this hopelessness in Nizar's words that wraps the verses in a leaf of despair.

يا بلدة السبعة الأنهار .. يا بلدي ويا قميصا بزهر الخوخ مشغولا
ويا حصانا تخلى عن أعنتـــــــه وراح يفتح معلوما، ومجهــولا
هواك يا بردى كالسيف يسكنني وما ملكت لأمر الحب تبديــــــلا

I guess there's no passion without desperation afterall.

Yes indeed there is always a touch of uncertainty, as if we have the cup of elexir right at our lips and yet something in the back of our minds precludes us from drinking from it. The poisoned chailce or the fear of an illusional happiness, the mirage as you put it.
Nevertheless, I've rarely read, heard, seen a poem with so much imagery in it. Brillinat indeed!

Oh nevermind the grumpy bunch. They are too interested in palavers than to concentrate on the "vivre", let alone the "joie" of it. I guess They have other pleasures to pursue.

They too are held back by a state of delerium, afraid to discover that the good they saw is actually a figmnet of their imagination. They hold back.
Life in lebanon is surreal to say the least. I bow my head in utmost respect to people who have suffered so much and for so long and yet they maintained a degree of dignity they use to close their eyes and dream of a beautiful life one day.

As for Beirut, i don't think it can be qualified as a city or a capital to start with. Each and every person has his own definition (even borders) of this noun. Beirut is a slippery patchwork of so many and so much different communities that it's practically impossible to see all of them happy at the same time and for the same reasons.

Couldn't agree more but these are the cards in our hands and no more. It's our capital however everyone sees it.
Now I have taken the view that slowly slowly the city will be overrun by a death culture but that doesnt mean that in the meantime we cant try to mitigate destiny.

But to be fair, Beirut does offer varied and interesting times that can cater to almost anyone who can find her/his own spectacle. The problem is that it takes some time and effort to find them.

Well there you go: the silver lining. I can ssure you that we are still a fair way from total annhilation and many things could change between now and then. So Party up even if looks like someone singing on the way to the guillotine. Who knows, maybe a day might come and the lebanese peopleS may realise that their politicians are not sewn from divine fabric. I still hope, against hope perhaps.

Some people ARE having fun in this day and age shadow, each in her/his own way. The recipe is quite simple; they just forget about the unbearable pity for the suffering of others. Whether it's a positive or a negative thing to do.

They always have ya Fidelio. In the Golden age of Beirut which lasted about 5-7 years, fun people had fun while the seeds of destruction were being sown by social inequality which the politicians eventually succeeded in metarmorphosing into sectarian hatred. They continued with their good life with minor hiccups and the rest were just happy for them. The passion of desperation as you so eloquently put it.

Thank you for the thoughtful advice shadow, it is absolutely right.
My small amount of delusional haughtiness does sometimes get in the way of what should be a modest sense of carpe diem.

Yes that is it. Maintain your carpe diem as long as you can. What sustains my hope is simple, one single idea: a country that gave us Saiid Akl, Wadi3 Safi, Nasri Chameddine, The Boustanis, Gibran and the little akhtal, Charles Malek, Majida and the greatest of all: Fairuz, may still give us others.
Alone she towers over a country, alone amongst great singers from Maria Callas to Noura dardabasht, Fairuz is capable of creating a state of mind.

I refuse to think that a country that gave Fairuz once cant do it again.
At least in that limited sense I wont let the pessimism of my intellect defeat the optimism of my heart.

P.S: did you hear Fairuz's relatively new song "beyti zghir bi canada" ?
بيتي زغير بكندا
ما بدي يزوروا حدا
إلا اللي قلبي اختارو.. قللو سرارو
لشو فتش بهالكون
وبعرف السعادة هون
بقلب بيتي الزغير بكندا

Yes I have.

[dodzi]

Originally Posted by Rors

List of the 10 cities:

Antwerp
Glasgow
Beirut
Chicago
Lisbon
Mexico City
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Shanghai
Warsaw
Zurich

Is this list for real? I mean what about New York, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, Dublin, etc.?

[Rors]

Originally Posted by dodzi

Is this list for real? I mean what about New York, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, Dublin, etc.?

According to Lonely Planet, Beirut is "livelier" than the cities you mentioned. With all the turmoil, of course it is

Just note that they are listed in random order, Beirut is not ranked third.

[Danny Z]

Originally Posted by dodzi

Is this list for real? I mean what about New York, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, Dublin, etc.?

Nobody paid the book writers to include those cities you mentioned.

[dodzi]

Originally Posted by Danny Z

Nobody paid the book writers to include those cities you mentioned.

What do you mean by that? The cities in the list have bribed the book to include them?