Often known in recent years for sectarian and other violence, Tripoli seems an unlikely place for a cultural revival, but it has a long cinematic tradition. All Photos: AP Photo
Often known in recent years for sectarian and other violence, Tripoli seems an unlikely place for a cultural revival, but it has a long cinematic tradition. All Photos: AP Photo
Kassem Istanbouli, a 35-year-old actor and director, is seeking to restore some of that past glory by turning the city’s long-abandoned Empire Cinema into a national theatre.
Kassem Istanbouli, a 35-year-old actor and director, is seeking to restore some of that past glory by turning the city’s long-abandoned Empire Cinema into a national theatre.
The director’s project was inspired by his father, an electrician who used to repair movie houses in the south, and his grandfather, who was a sailor and storyteller.
The director’s project was inspired by his father, an electrician who used to repair movie houses in the south, and his grandfather, who was a sailor and storyteller.
Cinema Empire is the last of five historic cinemas still standing in Tripoli’s Tell Square.
Cinema Empire is the last of five historic cinemas still standing in Tripoli’s Tell Square.
Several days a week, Mr Istanbouli and his team, which includes a Syrian, a Palestinian, a Lebanese and a Bangladeshi, drive three hours from their homes in the country’s south to work on the space, built in the early 1940s.
Several days a week, Mr Istanbouli and his team, which includes a Syrian, a Palestinian, a Lebanese and a Bangladeshi, drive three hours from their homes in the country’s south to work on the space, built in the early 1940s.
Maha Amin, a special needs teacher, volunteer and actor, cleans a room that was once a ticket office before she attends a rehearsal at Empire Cinema.
Maha Amin, a special needs teacher, volunteer and actor, cleans a room that was once a ticket office before she attends a rehearsal at Empire Cinema.
Bangladeshi volunteer and actor Shuman Dali, 39, washes chairs before attending a rehearsal for a play at the cinema.
Bangladeshi volunteer and actor Shuman Dali, 39, washes chairs before attending a rehearsal for a play at the cinema.
Tripoli has lost much of its architectural heritage, especially around Tell Square, due to neglect.
Tripoli has lost much of its architectural heritage, especially around Tell Square, due to neglect.
A team of actors attend a rehearsal for a play.
A team of actors attend a rehearsal for a play.

MENA

An abandoned theatre in Tripoli is being bought back to life - in pictures

Take a look inside a Lebanese heritage space being revived to help improve the city's economic plight

The National

March 11, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

A look around Basra International Stadium – in pictures

Tunisian woman overcomes disability to become award-winning qanun player – in pictures

Meet the women fighting to change the face of Lebanese politics

Labourers working at a brick works in Baghdad – in pictures

Martial arts training in Damascus – in pictures

Read more from Aya Iskandarani
THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
WIDE%20VIEW
%3Cp%3EThe%20benefits%20of%20HoloLens%202%2C%20according%20to%20Microsoft%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EManufacturing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Reduces%20downtime%20and%20speeds%20up%20onboarding%20and%20upskilling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngineering%20and%20construction%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Accelerates%20the%20pace%20of%20construction%20and%20mitigates%20risks%20earlier%20in%20the%20construction%20cycle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20care%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Enhances%20the%20delivery%20of%20patient%20treatment%20at%20the%20point%20of%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Improves%20student%20outcomes%20and%20teaches%20from%20anywhere%20with%20experiential%20learning%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

Transgender report
While you're here
On Women's Day
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Updated: March 11, 2022, 12:02 PM`
PhotographyLebanonTripoli