The Beirut Banyan

Episode 372: 'A Shining Star' with Matteo El Khodr, taped live at Aaliya's Books. A conversation with actor and countertenor Matteo El Khodr. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/4t_bYwpVVG4 Covering the role of artists in defending free expression, persevering as a performer despite all types of difficulties in Lebanon, and a unique voice that merges art with activism. 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 Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 3:58 An artist today 9:51 The beginning 13:35 Countertenor 19:18 "The most beautiful years of our lives" 29:04 Professional decision to return home 33:18 Decriminalization of homosexuality 36:18 Limited out of fear 43:39 Chicago Arabia 51:28 Lebanon being injured 55:31 Cosmopolitanism 1:07:25 Q&A

0:00 Intro 5:53 Delivering the message 9:42 Layered & complicated 15:25 Sovereignty 30:53 Ethno-geography 48:03 Birth & death 1:12:25 Ten principles 1:12:40 (1) National Narratives 1:17:50 (2) Self-government 1:17:59 (3) Subsidiarity & Localism 1:19:38 (4) Solidarity 1:25:32 (5) Cantonal Sovereignty 1:36:21 (6 & 7) Structure & Government 1:46:27 (8) Direct Democracy 1:54:46 (9 & 10) Roadmap & Implementation 2:16:28 Consensus We're with Iyad Boustany for Episode 298 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/uUXIzS6VE9g We discuss layered history, identity and the merits of sovereignty in a consensus-based form of power-sharing governance. Our conversation includes reflections on the Règlement Organique constitution, the Mutasarrifyate form of governance, French Mandatory and post-independent administration and a debate on political violence's role in systemic paralysis. We also talk about the proposed federalist constitution's ten principles and the role of family history in shaping persuasion and narrative. Iyad Boustany is an advocate for a federalist government in Lebanon. Check out his website: www.fedleb.org 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.ronniechatah.com Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro 3:28 Reflections from Afar 18:00 Symbolic Shock 42:48 'Chernobyl Moment' 1:02:53 Thirty Years Ago 1:11:58 Lebanon's Curse 1:40:11 Forget Resiliency 1:51:06 Principled Views We're with Joey Ayoub for Episode 204 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/5A3rUTcG3nE We share reflections on the Beirut blasts from afar, and the complicated emotions of shared suffering at a distance from the tragedy. We discuss the symbolic shock of the mushroom-cloud effect and expand on whether this is Lebanon's 'Chernobyl Moment'. We also talk about civil war legacy that persists until today, and whether Lebanon is cursed to failed state status despite the persistent push by protestors for the better. This is Joey's third appearance on The Beirut Banyan. We also reflect on friendship born over the moment despite never having met in person, and how long-form conversations can bring strangers together searching for shared understanding over the difficult moment we're going through. Joey Ayoub is a PhD researcher and fellow podcaster, and currently hosts 'The Fire These Times' podcast. Click below to donation links for NGOs involved in the aftermath of Tuesday's Beirut blasts. Lebanese Red Cross: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/ Impact Lebanon / Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief?utm_term=re7R78DA2/ Ahla Fawda: https://www.just-help.org/c/AhlaFawda/ Beit El Baraka: https://beitelbaraka.net/donation/pay/ Lebanese Food Bank https://lebanesefoodbank.org/donate/ Live Love Lebanon: https://www.givingloop.org/livelove/ Caritas Lebanon: http://www.caritas.org.lb/get_involved/donate/ Lebanon Needs: https://www.lebanonneeds.org/donate/ Embrace Lebanon: https://embracelebanon.org/donors-and-partners/ 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 Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/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 Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro 6:11 State Response to Covid-19 28:48 Public Response to Covid-19 35:12 Healthcare System Reform 47:07 Recommendations vs Decision-Making 59:29 Covid-19 & Economic Crisis 1:12:14 Contextual Factors & Covid-19 We're back with Fatima Al Sayah for Episode 183 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the Lebanese state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic; public behavior that has changed since the novel coronavirus began spreading earlier this year; Lebanon's healthcare system and state institutions in dire need of reform; severe disconnect between policy papers and decision makers; Covid-19's impact on Lebanon's economic crisis; and contextual factors that matter when comparing different countries' experiences to the pandemic. Fatima is a Public Health Researcher at the School of Public Health - University of Alberta. She is also a member of 'HealthNERDS'. Here is the link to the LCPS piece discussed: https://www.lcps-lebanon.org/featuredArticle.php?id=316 Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer for free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN. Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details: www.labonnesoupe.com 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 Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/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 Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro 4:49 Paralysis 13:38 Justice 22:05 Irrational Optimism 30:44 'We Wait for their Return' 43:59 Resilience We're with Sara Mourad for Episode 212 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss her recent AlJumhuriya and Rusted Radishes personal essays and reflect on the cycle of prosperity and ruin that came to define modern Lebanon. The conversation delves into the aftermath of the recent Beirut blasts, the persistent demands of protestors and a post-war generation dealing with tragedy once more. We also talk about 'perpetual return', 'irrational optimism' and the constant search for passion, hope and home. Sara Mourad is an Assistant Professor of Media Studies at the American University of Beirut and co-directs the Women & Gender Studies Program. 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 Sara Tarhini.