Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani dies at 69
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L'Orient-Le Jour
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From Ghent, 3 Lebanese artists reinvent diasporic art scene
Three Lebanese diaspora members reunited in Belgium, motivated by the same desire: to create a shared memory from exile. In Ghent, Charbel Khoury, Rami Moukarzel and Gaelle Khalifeh founded the collective Tashattot — a name that, in Arabic, means "dispersion" — as both a poetic and political way to respond to the scattering their generation has faced. Their artistic journeys, cultivated in Lebanon through photography, music and performing arts, led them to a simple, fundamental goal: to unite creative voices from the diaspora and give them a space for dialogue, creation and resonance. "We try to recreate in Europe an artistic scene similar to what we had known in Lebanon," said Charbel — a lively, transgressive scene, vibrating with stories and plural identities. First crossing Their first exhibition, opening in January 2022 at the KIOSK art center on the Ghent university campus, marked the beginning of this collective journey. Funded by the university, the event brought together about 15 artists from the Arab world living in Europe over a span of two months, focusing on themes of exile, memory and belonging. The works, which include photography, experimental video and sound installations, didn't just explore distance; they examined what it really means. What does it mean today to be scattered? What do we hold on to, and what do we reinvent when we leave? Since then, Tashattot has kept building connections. Faithful to its founding principle — to create a space for others and never focus on itself — the collective has become a part of Belgium's cultural scene as a powerful force, increasing collaborations with both local and international organizations. One of its flagship projects is the musical residency "Sonic Sessions," with the second edition scheduled between 2025 and 2026. This cycle, successfully launched in 2024-2025 in partnership with Globe Aroma and Ancienne Belgique, features electro-experimental artists from the SWANA region (South West Asia and North Africa). Far from just a simple musical project, the residency aims to be a laboratory of ideas, a sound factory where notions of identity, exile and memory are redefined. Here, music becomes a shared language and a sense of kinship. It considers politics, explores narratives and reshapes the understanding of self in the context of both personal and collective history. Breaking silences In 2026, a new exhibition will take place at FOMU (Fotomuseum Antwerpen) in Antwerp. The collective will explore questions of gender and sexuality in the Arab world. These topics are still often silenced, and the invited artists will address them with strength and nuance. With Tashattot, exile isn't just something from the past; it turns into a lively present, a changing space of exchanges and interconnected stories. In dispersion, people search for and create a common language, and art remains its steady anchor.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Bayti, an Australian-Lebanese restaurant, lands in Lebanon for a pop-up in Kfour
The Lebanese restaurant Bayti, based in Sydney since 2019, held its first pop-up outside Australia on July 28 and 29. And it was in Lebanon, at Indira guest house in Kfour (Kesrouan), that the co-founders and siblings, Najee and Priscilla Khouzame, chose to set down their suitcases for two private evenings mixing gastronomy, culture and emotion. "We were looking for a place with a story, not a typical wedding hall," explains Najee. "Indira had that authenticity, that cultural richness that spoke to us." The choice of Lebanon was clear due to the family's attachment to their country of origin. "People told us to come try something in Lebanon, but the situation wasn't suitable. Then, when the country finally elected a president and the first lady invited expatriates to return, we thought it was now or never." The project came together in just six weeks. "It was a logistical headache. But we managed to bring part of our team and collaborate with local chefs." In total, six staff members were flown in from abroad — the United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia — to join the Indira team. Nine servers were also recruited locally for the occasion, and eight people working at Indira pitched in with the teams. The menu blended local products and Australian expertise. "We use only Lebanese ingredients, except for the beef, which comes from Australia. We also collaborated with local brands for olive oil, dry goods, and even the tableware." The sculptor Richard Yassine even designed centerpieces specially for the event. It was a significant investment: $120,000 was spent for the two nights, including the venue rental. The evening was filled with good food, but also dancing and live performances by up-and-coming Lebanese artists on the local cultural scene. A 'personal' connection For Najee, this pop-up also had a personal dimension. "My father dreamed of moving back to Lebanon for his retirement, but unfortunately, he passed away in 2014, and we opened Bayti in Sydney in 2019, on his birthday. It's a way to pay tribute to him." Born in Australia, Najee proudly claims his attachment to his roots: "My parents always brought Lebanese culture into our daily lives. It's not our country of origin, but it's our home." The event was by invitation only, with about a hundred guests expected each night, including stylists, journalists, bloggers, chefs, figures from the gastronomy and hospitality world, and the Australian ambassador. What's next? "We hope the success of these evenings will open doors. It would be a dream to live between Lebanon and Australia. We're taking a risk, it's true. Lebanon can change overnight. But everyone wants to invest here. And we want to tell our story, the story of our parents, and to show that despite exile, Lebanese culture continues to shine." After the success of this first edition, Priscilla knows, "We'll be back for a new experience in Lebanon, that's for sure."
LBCI
2 days ago
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Naïka is set to take over the stage at the Byblos International Festival! A night full of good music awaits ✨ Book your tickets now
Naïka is set to take over the stage on August 10 at the 2025 edition of the Byblos International Festival! A night full of good music awaits ✨Tickets available at
