On Tuesday, Beirut was rocked by two powerful explosions at its port, resulting in the death of at least 135 people and injury of 5,000. It left hundreds of thousands homeless.
Damage from the blast extended for a 10 kilometre radius from the site, leaving the city’s streets filled with piles of debris, broken glass and fragments of metal. A citywide clean-up, which began the day after the explosions, continued on Thursday as hospitals dealt with those needing medical care.
It can elevate us to a state of creative resistance larger than life itself – the more they destroy, the more we create
In addition to homes and once-bustling businesses, Beirut’s art galleries and museums are among the spaces that were heavily damaged. Over recent decades, the city’s art scene has had to thrive on its own, with little cultural funding from the government. The economic crisis and now this devastation have crippled both gallerists and artists.
“It’s a tragedy. I was at the gallery at the time and everything just burst,” says Beatrice Safieddine, director of Mark Hachem Gallery. “All the windows and doors are broken, and some of the artworks have been affected as well.
“We were hiding in the kitchen. It was horrible,” Safieddine recalls, adding that no one in the gallery was severely injured.
“Now we are trying to clean the aftermath and organise ... I don’t want to say ‘get back to normal life’ because nothing is normal after this. It can’t be, given the tragedy of the death of so many people, but we try to keep on going,” she says.
Sfeir-Semler Gallery also experienced material damage, with its glass windows shattered and wall panels ripped off from the impact of the explosion. “Our team is safe and sound,” the gallery said in a statement.
“Our hearts are full of sorrow and we mourn for Beirut.” The gallery, which also has an outpost in Hamburg, represents established artists such as Etel Adnan and Yto Barrada.
The contemporary gallery Marfa (the name of which translates to port because it is in the vicinity) shared photos of its premises and artworks that are almost completely destroyed. Founded in 2015, Marfa is a non-profit gallery that works to help Lebanese artists build international connections.
Scroll through for more images of Marfa:
The Sursock Museum was also damaged. Its director, Zeina Arida, has said the cost of repairs is likely to fall into the millions of dollars, and that the space will take years to rebuild. While no staff injuries were recorded, a number of artworks were affected. In a statement on Instagram, the museum said that the space has been “severely damaged” and the team are still “in shock” following the explosion.
"Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the victims, the missing and the wounded," the statement reads.
"Although the museum was damaged severely, thankfully, and most importantly, our staff and visitors at the time of the blast are all safe."
The Art Newspaper reported that an employee of Saleh Barakat Gallery is currently in intensive care and Galerie Tanit and Opera Gallery in Beirut were destroyed.
What next?
Artlab, which focuses on up-and-coming artists, told Art Net that reopening may not be a likely option because of the cost of repairs and Lebanon's economic woes.
For artist Nadim Karam, whose large-scale sculptures have filled Beirut’s streets and public spaces, the incident has caused “disarray and confusion”.
"We are still wondering what happened to us," he tells The National, noting the unprecedented scale of the blast.
Karam opened his studio, A.MUSE.UM, to the public in 2019. Connected to his residence, it is where he houses his artworks for people to see.
He says that the main entrance doors of his apartment were blown off and the streets outside of his building are filled with broken glass and parts of people’s homes.
He highlighted the anger felt about Lebanon after what many see as negligence on the part of officials who have known about the explosive material for six years.
“[This is] total devastation, much beyond wars, with which we are ‘familiar’. This is an exceptional proof of corruption, negligence and rottenness of the Lebanese sociopolitical system,” Karam says.
Although his family is safe, he says that he knows nearly 10 people who died in the incident, and he worries that the death toll could continue to rise. “We are trying to put things back together, at least as much as we can.”
He sees the explosion – which is the latest in a line of problems that have confronted Lebanon over years, including an economic crisis and widespread protests – as a turning point for the country.
“Something like this can put a nation at a loss and create a feeling of defeat, or it can have the effect of creating a bigger counterblast: a huge fresh energy that permeates into the system and into each of us,” he says. “It can elevate us to a state of creative resistance larger than life itself – the more they destroy, the more we create.”
Nadim Karam shared these photos of the damage, scroll for more:
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Kibsons%20Cares
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
The years Ramadan fell in May
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
MATCH INFO
Alaves 1 (Perez 65' pen)
Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52', Carvajal 69')
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The years Ramadan fell in May
Read more about the coronavirus
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
More coverage from the Future Forum
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The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
SPECS
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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