Targeting Lebanon’s Culture is Unforgivable Act

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

It is not the name ‘Talal’ alone that binds me with the great Lebanese poet ‘Talal Haydar’, rather our shared love for Lebanon, Fairuz, and the beauty of language. Although our lives took different paths, with him devoting his life to art, poetry, and refined songs while mine took a different trajectory, I fondly listen to Haydar’s recited and sung poetry and enjoy it immensely. Fairuz’s masterpieces, with Haydar’s lyrics “Wahdon B yeb’o Metl Zahr El-baylasan” (Alone they remain, much like elderberry blooms), is a timeless song, resonating with today, tomorrow, and every generation to come.

I not only enjoy those sung masterpieces, but I also read his works at times,  follow his writings regularly, and watch his televised interviews, and always hold him in great appreciation and admiration. As well this, I used to follow the great iconic Lebanese poets Said Akl and Joseph Harb. Together, they have shaped the cultural memory of Lebanon and secured a respected place in the Arab consciousness through the voice of Fairuz.

Some have passed away; others have grown old, while Fairuz’s voice remains fresh, pure, and ever-present in our mornings, and at times in our evenings and journeys, accompanying us along our paths with authentic melodies and meaningful words, even when simplicity prevails. Her voice travels with us everywhere, giving each moment its own distinction and remaining the first point of arrival at the start of every day for both young and old. The Arab nation, from its ocean to its Gulf, agrees that the songs shaped in the era of the Rahbani brothers and the early poets will never fade, no matter how many days and changes pass over them.

What I have written above is not just an introduction, but a living memory of an ongoing history that I intend to write about in greater detail when time allows. I am writing about it now briefly after recently watching a video of the great Lebanese poet Talal Haydar. He shared on social media the catastrophe caused by a ruthless Israeli airstrike that struck his home in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, leaving it in ruins; its doors and windows blown out, furniture destroyed, and parts of the walls severely damaged.

It is well known that Israel has repeatedly committed similar crimes across the Levant, causing the same destruction in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, where infrastructure has been severely damaged despite periods of ceasefire. Similar reports describe ongoing strikes in Syria targeting military sites and military barracks, even scientific and research facilities. In Lebanon as well, more than 80% of the south, the southern suburbs and the Beqaa region have been destroyed, leading to the displacement of thousands of families without concern for weather conditions, circumstance, children, or the elderly.  

There is no doubt that the recorded video shared by Talal Haydar generated significant reaction across the Arab world as well as in Lebanon. The widespread condemnation on social media reflected not only sympathy for the material losses captured by the camera in the poet’s home, but a collective anger and outcry against Israeli arrogance that knows no limits. It is anger at brutality that does not distinguish between a resistance stronghold and a cultural haven.
It is obvious that Israel, which seeks to seize land piece by piece, also aims to destroy the region’s civilizational, cultural, intellectual, and creative heritage. It has stolen much of the cultural legacy and folklore, and what it cannot steal, it destroys. The home of poet Talal Haydar is here as a clear example.

I agree with the poet in which he stated in the published video on social media, “Civilization is never built by weapons; rather it is built by science, art and culture that together represent a real weapon of resistance”. As I have always emphasized, we the Arabs, need today to revive our scientific renaissance, strengthen our knowledge-based ties, and reinforce our cultural presence among nations around the world.

It should be made clear to Israel and its allies that the Lebanese home that once held the dreams of an entire generation may have its walls fall, its furniture ruined, and its roof collapse, yet Lebanon’s radiant sky will remain intact, sheltering all who have read a verse by Talal Haydar or celebrated Lebanon through his voice. This is also what Fairuz and the Rahbani brothers did through their art, representing the homeland and strengthening the shared Arab culture; united by customs, traditions, language, and shared destiny, never divided by politics, and never uprooted by wars, no matter how far they go or how long they last.