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.

Lara Salman, ZAAT founder. Lives in Beirut

How are you doing?

I am absent. In shock by the atrocities and destruction of my country and the silence of the world.

What is your daily life like in a time of war?

I had participated in MenArt Fair Paris.

ZAAT presented Cynthia Zahar in “SHUHUD” an installation of works based on the search of identity, memory & displacement.

An assembly of objects, materials, pictures and photography. They are witnesses of the changes in time and the inevitable erosion and constant movement around us.

Ironically, I myself got trapped in Paris as the carnage started the day I was returning home.

How do you continue your artistic activity? 

Under shock, Art and storytelling seemed senseless. But documenting our own narrative is vital to preserve our stories, our culture, and any sense of home. So, we need to get back to work as a means of defiance and to support our squad.

How do you see Lebanon's future?

I am 50 years old and I am witnessing the 6th Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Until the corrupt sectarian political system is replaced and a new system or set of politicians is in place we will continue living in a loop.

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

I think this is very distinctive.

Personally, here and now, Amin Maalouf “Les Désorientés”, Zeina AbiRached “Mourir, partir, revenir - Le Jeu des hirondelles” Omar Khouri paintings and Ziad Rahbani plays are my recurring thoughts.

Photo@stephanelagoutte