Comments on The Beirut Report: Public performance banned in Downtown Beirut

Thank you Letizia, glad you enjoyed it.

2011-11-17T23:36:49.897+02:00

Thank you Letizia, glad you enjoyed it.

Thats a good point Rouba, I actually have seen som...

2011-11-17T23:35:36.763+02:00

Thats a good point Rouba, I actually have seen some performers in Solidere, but usually bands set up on a stage with speakers and mics-- nothing spontaneous, which reinforces the feeling that 'downtown' is actually a private, mall-like space rather than a public one, much less a national capital.

It would be interesting if someone from Solidere could explain how the performance process works, who can apply and who approves. At any rate, the army officers did not seemed concerned with asking the man in this post for a permit, with 'security' being their chief concern.

Thank you for sharing. this is one more exaple tha...

2011-11-17T22:45:34.360+02:00

Thank you for sharing. this is one more exaple that Downtown Beirut is just one more mall, an open air mall, privately managed (and probably not in the best way!!)

This is insane! I live in Dubai where they STAGE s...

2011-11-17T22:18:33.273+02:00

This is insane! I live in Dubai where they STAGE such public performances in malls and shopping spaces to try and simulate what we usually have the pleasure of enjoying in the most beautiful cities around the world. Cities where they promote CULTURE. Not mimics of traditional architecture only built for tourists and posers.

I bet, if this performer were a Solidere employee, then public gatherings would be more than welcome!

A heartfelt testimony... thanks... fromone of the ...

2011-11-14T13:24:04.206+02:00

A heartfelt testimony... thanks... fromone of the too many rootless lebanese/mediterranean person aroun the world....

Thanks Chrisitina, it's good to hear more peop...

2011-11-13T21:42:51.686+02:00

Thanks Chrisitina, it's good to hear more people studying public space in Beirut; discussions felt so muted at the outset of the 'reconstruction' process. Hopefully social media will help change that.

Thank you for posting this. It kind of broke my he...

2011-11-13T11:19:21.331+02:00

Thank you for posting this. It kind of broke my heart. I've been invested in studying the BCD for a while now for a thesis I'm writing, so I'm while I'm not shocked that something like this occurred there, it's still upsetting. I'm glad to see an increasing number of blogs, like yours, that give very personal takes on what is happening with "public" (and private) space in Beirut.. it's much more enlightening that what is/how it is generally covered in the media.