Where are our cultural players in times of war, and what are they doing?

L'Agenda Culturel went to meet them, interview them and listen to their stories.

Bettina Khoury Badr, Painter. Lives in Beirut.

How are you doing?

Definitely not feeling well! We have always been  in constant turmoil and unfortunately now the war is making our lives more difficult. Grateful about health and being able to manage my daily routine.

What is your daily life like?

In addition to my house management, I continue to teach drawing for foundation and painting at the school of Architecture and design at LAU.We have resumed in a hybrid mode lately. It is challenging because we have to consider the safety and well being of our students and many of them had to flee for safety or travel abroad till situation is better.

I have always liked sports since a young age. I played tennis but now in addition to my outdoor walks, I practice swimming Pilates and  Latin dance.

Enjoying little moments with friends and family is my greatest pleasure.

How do you continue your artistic activity? 

My solo show “ Sky Diary “ at Galerie Tanit opened on August 29 but because of the war we had to extend the closure and postpone dismantling the work!

Since the pandemic and the economic collapse, I have been painting daily fragments of skies,  and incorporating many skies in one piece. From this little place I see myself suspended on a small planet, where unexpected and fierce happenings can shake our existence at any time!

Unfortunately the explosion of August 4 and the current war keep altering the natural sequence of the blue I seek. 

How do you see Lebanon's future?

I remember when I was a child I asked my father when will the war end? He did not say anything. Growing up I can understand more and more his answer or the lack thereof.

A radical need to change is crucial and learning from our past is even more crucial.

To overcome the fear and anxiety, what do you suggest to our readers?

Stay active and positive, help community and people you know in any way possible.

We can’t avoid watching the news and keeping up with what is happening around,

but on the other hand we should enjoy little moments with others and appreciate the beauty around that we often disregard.

Fascinating is our world and our presence is nothing but transient.

Any last words?

This too shall pass…