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A Lebanese Blog

Tag: Lebanon

  • Nadine Labaki’s upcoming movie “W halla’ lawein?”

    Nadine Labaki’s second movie “W halla’ lawein?” (Where do we go now?) is set to be released next month. You can watch a short preview of it and an interview with Nadine at BBC News.

    The director-actor says she drew inspiration for the film, her second, from the events of May 2008 when violence in the streets gave rise to fears of a possible civil war.

    The women of the movie are driven to consider all kinds of measures to try to stop the men in their lives picking up a weapon and joining the violence.

    I like her first movie Caramel back in 2007, and I guess I’ll be watching this one as well.

  • Thousands of old photos of Lebanon and the middle east

    I just came across a great website called “The Fouad Debbas Collection” featuring thousands of old photos and postcards from Lebanon and the region collected by the late Fouad Debbas, who according to the website used to run the lighting business of Debbas family.

    The collection is really amazing and well organized, you can browse it by country, era, period of time, photographer, and even by photo orientation. I’ve seen some old collections before, but this one is unique.

  • Wine tasting in Lebanon

    I stumbled upon this article in The Daily Star this morning about wine tasting in Lebanon mentioning companies that organize tours to wineries in the Bekaa valley and the north, in addition to the most famous wineries to visit.

    A visit to one of these places will definitely offer something different and more cost-effective than the overrated night life experience and overpriced beaches in Lebanon for both locals and tourists.

    Where to go:

    Chateau Ksara

    Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours and tasting sessions are available without an appointment, although it is recommended to call in advance. Appointments can also be made for tours of the wine-making process. Contact: +961-1-200-715
    Website: www.chateauksara.com.lb

    Chateau Massaya

    For vintage aficionados, Massaya offers tasting of library wines no longer available on the market, for which calling ahead is preferred. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months. Opening hours are shorter during the winter. Contact: +961-8- 510-135
    Website: www.massaya.com

    Chateau Kefraya

    A visit to Chateau Kefraya’s 430-hectare grounds incorporates the winery’s Treasures Room, which includes wines dating back to the chateau’s late ’70s beginnings. Guided visits are available every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: +961-8-645-333
    Website: www.chateaukefraya.com/

    Chateau Musar

    Lebanon’s most-loved wine export, Chateau Musar is created in the cellar of a 17th century castle in Ghazir, Mount Lebanon. Tasting sessions and tours can be arranged by appointment. Contact: +961-9-925-056
    Website: www.chateaumusar.com.lb

    Photo via CD Traveller.

  • Even our hundreds years old trees are now for sale

    This is a shame.

    An 800-year old olive tree has been planted in a residential and business project in Abu Dhabi, the developers said in a statement Monday .

    The olive tree, originating from Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, has been planted at Rawdhat, located beside the Old Airport Road , overlooking the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Reem Developers said.

    You definitely can’t blame the developers, they can afford anything if they have the money for it. But who the hell approved exporting this tree from Lebanon? It isn’t like we have an excess number of these!

    Via @samiaonthemove

  • Lebanon getting free WiFi in public parks

    I know it’s hard to belive, but the news is true! The ministry of telecommunications is teaming up with the Association of Banks and Sodetel to bring free WiFi to 11 public parks in Lebanon (mainly in Beirut) during working hours.

    1. Herch Beyrouth on a surface of 30.000 m2, knowing that its total area is 330,0000m2
    2. Sanayeh- René Mouawad (22,000 m2)
    3. Sioufi (20,000 m2)
    4. Ramleh Bayda  (10,000 m2)
    5. Manchiyeh- Tripoli (10,000 m2)
    6. Bourj Abi Haidar (7,000 m2)
    7. Talet el Khayat – Moufti Hassan Khaled (5,000 m2)
    8. Abou Chahla (5,000 m2)
    9. Yassouhiyé (4,400 m2)
    10. Saint Nicolas (2,200 m2)
    11. Basta Tahta (2,200 m2)

    Sioufi will be the first park to have the free WiFi starting today when ministers Nahas and Sehnaoui launch the service.

    It’s a great initiative indeed. But given the current internet speed in Lebanon, I highly doubt the service will be really usable by the people. I mean we’re barely able to make use of the internet at home, let alone a shared public bandwidth!

  • Fête de la musique Lebanon 2011 schedule

    Here’s the schedule for Fête de la musique this year which is taking place as usual in Downtown Beirut, Hamra and Gemmayze. I’m personally looking forward to watch Band Audi, Wled El Balad, and Youmna Saba & Jade Balaben.

    Place des martyrs

    20h00 Gabriel Abdel Nour (Pop)
    20h40 Michelle & Noel Keserwany (Folk)
    21h10 Belime (Electro pop)
    21h40 Bruno Live! (Pop rock)
    22h20 Dana Dragomir
    23H30 Anixa@Labex (Funk disco)
    23h55 Epic (Rock)
    00h35 Poly (Soul pop funk)
    01h05 Mancer Dust (Rock alternatif)

    Thermes romains

    20h00 Soukara (World music)
    20h35 Stephy Sfeir (Folk)
    21h00 Nahas Project (Fusion jazz)
    22h10 Les Blérots de Ravel
    23h35 Limelight (Rock alternatif)
    00h05 Lazzy Lung (Rock alternatif)

    Souks de Beyrouth

    20h00 Akachic Field (World music)
    20h30 Rabih Rihana Trio (Jazz rock)
    21h10 Silent Movie (Soundtrack)
    21h35 Sandmoon (Folk rock)
    22h20 Soweto Kinch (Hip hop jazz)
    23h30 The Incompetents (Pop alternative)
    00h10 Wled El Balad (Rock)
    00h50 Jammit The Band (Reggae)

    Jardin Samir Kassir

    20h00 Karim Kneyzer (World music)
    20h30 Episode (Rock symphonique)
    21h10 Nadine Khouri (Folk rock)
    21h50 Samar (Electro folk jazz)
    23h00 Band Audi (Rhythm & blues)
    23h40 Beirut Blues (Blues)
    00h10 Plugged (Rock alternatif )
    00h40 Rebellious Phoenix (Rock)

    Gemmayzé

    20h00 Charles (Pop)
    20h30 Valérie Abou Chacra (Pop)
    21h00 Cheesecake (Jazz pop)
    21h40 Jolly Joker (Rock alternatif)
    22h30 Tony Bayeh chante Zaki Nassif
    23h30 Blue Band LB (Reggae)

    Hamra

    20h00 Purple Sea (Trip hop)
    20h30 Moe Kabbara (Folk)
    21h00 Arcane (Rock progressif)
    21h40 Hanna Barakat & group (Pop rock)
    22h20 Elissa Boustani’s band (Pop soul funk)
    23h00 Nachaz (Rock blues)
    23h40 Youmna Saba & Jade Balaben (Folk)
    00h10 Nasama (Rock)
    00h50 Pulse (Blues rock)

    Scene Basement (souks de Beyrouth)

    21h00 Ladybug
    22h00 The BCE
    23h00 ACIX
    00h00 Djette
    01h00 Jade
    02h00 Vanclode Jandam
    03h00 Ronin & Nesta

    VJ’s :
    Labo Strongsky & Vj Mosig

    Eglise évangélique

    18h30 Ecole de musique Ghassan Yammine

    Schedule via Agenda Culturel.

  • Geekfest Beirut Vol. 4 – The gaming edition

    This edition of GeekFest Beirut is all about games and gaming. On June 17th Beirut Art Center will turn into one large gaming platform with avant premier access to newly released games by Sony & Nintendo, a Mobile Gaming platform sponsored by NOKIA and a small pavilion of vintage games for hardcore geeks sponsored by Multimedia Megastore (M2). This will be the largest Game Case in GeekFest History and a revel for all game lovers to enjoy and participate in and be challenged by other pros. As it goes we expect no less that 150 geeks to come to challenge each other in virtual battles and win prizes courtesy of Nokia, Crepaway and GoNabit.

    The event will also be catered by Crepaway and 961 Beer.

    Do not miss out on the fun.

    Need I say more? You can check Geekfest Beirut’s pages on Facebook and Eventbrite for more details about the event.

  • MTC Touch slashes calling rates for prepaid lines

    It turned out that the price reductions I posted about yesterday are really coming and will be targeting owners of prepaid phone lines. According to this article from The Daily Star, MTC Touch is releasing 3 new recharge cards tomorrow for its Magic prepaid lines:

    1. Start: Priced at $10 and has 30 talking minutes (Rate is $0.33/min)
    2. Smart: Priced at $16.6 and has 60 talking minutes  (Rate is $0.27/min)
    3. Super: Priced at $30 and has 120 talking minutes (Rate is $0.25/min)

    Given that there will be no hidden charges, MTC Touch is offering up to 36% reduction over the current rates ($0.39/min) and Alfa is supposed to follow a similar pricing. Pretty good in my opinion though the calling rates are still considered very expensive compared to the rest of the world. I just hope some day our government stops relying on this sector to fund its treasury and leaves the two operators to really compete on prices and services.

    Next on the list is launching of the 3G service, let’s pray for it to arrive on time too!

    Update:

    Alfa also published the new rate plans for their prepaid lines which are now called “Waffer”. Thanks to Bechara.

  • MoT to announce charges reduction this week

    The news below is from Assafir newspaper of Friday June 10 2011.

    تخفيضات جديدة الأسبوع المقبل
    «الاتصالات»: 3 ملايين مشترك في الخلوي

    أعلنت وزارة الاتصالات ان نسبة الاختراق في الهاتف الخلوي بلغت حتى تاريخه 75 في المئة من مجمل المقيمين في لبنان، بارتفاع بلغ 30 في المئة (نحو 700 الف مشترك جديد) منذ نهاية العام 2009.
    واشارت الى ان مجمل عدد المشتركين تجاوز عتبة الـ 3 ملايين بفعل الاجراءات التي اتخذتها الوزارة، لجهة توسعة الشبكات وخفض التعرفات، اضافة الى تقديم عروض جديدة، ومنها ما سيجري إطلاقها الاسبوع المقبل وتتضمن تخفيضات اضافية تتراوح بين 25 و50 في المئة على الكلفة الفعلية التي يتكبدها المواطنون.
    من جهة اخرى، استقبل وزير الاتصالات د. شربل نحاس، في مكتبه امس، رئيس مجلس ادارة شركة ألفا مروان الحايك لمناسبة حصوله على جائزة رجل العام 2011 للاتصالات في العالم العربي.
    وقال الحايك: إن هذه الجائزة ثمرة الجهود المبذولة بين وزارة الاتصالات وشركة «ألفا»، والتي أدّت الى احداث نقلة نوعية في قطاع الخلوي، تمثلت في اطلاق عروض جديدة وزيادة نسبة الاختراق وخفوض في التعرفات، والاهم بدء العمل الفعلي لادخال خدمات الجيل الثالث والمتوقع ان يتلمسها المستخدمون منتصف هذا الصيف.

    Seems like the ministry of telecommunications is promising 25-50% price reductions on some mobile services this week. Let’s wait and see, and while waiting let’s just hope this won’t require some further approvals from any other party!

  • Beware of the Power Balance MTV is trying to sell

    I was watching MTV Lebanon last night and saw and advertisement by some female basket ball player for some silicone wristband called “Power Balance” claiming it improves balance and strength, all for $8!

    A quick search on Google will be enough to let you know it is just another scam! Bravo MTV.

    In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.

    We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

    If you feel you have been misled by our promotions, we wish to unreservedly apologise and offer a full refund.

    Via Gizmodo