Beirut a culture capital

The article reproduced below is taken from the AUB corporate web page
(see: http://www.aub.edu.lb/news/archive/preview.php?id=100422).
Author: Henry Matthews, Editor, Office of Communications, AUB.

I attended this presentation last week. Though a general survey, Mr Salam made some valid points about the historical and contemporary role of Beirut in integrating cultures of the region with those of the West. One point he made that deserves further consideration, is that cultural diversity or 'freedom', far from destabilising, actually enhanced Beirut's ability to adapt to the enormous challenges faced by Lebanon, especially over the last thirty years. The claim is not without merit, though I suspect that there remains a significant gap between what the local intelligentsia may believe about the virtues of cultural diversity and the tribal realities on the ground.  Educational strategists may be interested in his identification of some of the vocational areas that Lebanon needs to develop.

The speech was given on the ninetieth anniversary of the AUB Women's League - an impressive group of women graduates, many of whom have gone on to exercise leadership and influence in Lebanon. They kindly welcomed me to their meeting, and I must add that they really know how to put on a good 'spread'.

Salam: Beirut will continue being the capital of cultural freedom

AUB President Peter Dorman and Minister Salam

Beirut became the Arab world's hospital, university, and publishing house because its freedom attracted Arab petrodollars and politicians, and Beirut is The New York Times' number one clubbing city in the world.

These facts were highlighted by then-Minister of Culture Tammam Salam in his lecture, "Beirut's Cultural Role in the Middle East," delivered at the monthly meeting of the Women's League on November 2.

At the beginning of the meeting, Lebanese flags and the league's newsletter were distributed and the National Anthem and the Alma Mater were sung. Then League President Leila Ghantous, welcomed Salam and AUB President Peter Dorman, pointing out that the league, established on November 3, 1919, was 90 years old.

Women's League members cutting the cake celebrating the League's 90th anniversary

Salam said that Beirut's cultural role grew in importance in the late 19th century because of its inhabitants' courage and stamina, and because of the city's importance as an economic center. He said the city acquired its prominence in the early 20th century because AUB and other foreign universities brought an atmosphere of freedom and the meeting of east with west. "Cultural freedom," he said, "is one of Beirut's major assets. We have managed to survive situations that could have crumbled bigger nations." He added: "If you are bitten by the Beirut bug, it will obsess you forever."

Beirut's role, said Salam, involved distinguished individuals. Lebanese working abroad carry with them a special "cachet" and are looked at differently, so, many companies seek to employ AUB alumni because they belong to a culture of freedom and the spirit of their Alma Mater. They affect change wherever they go, influenced by the culture of the University and of Beirut.

Salam expects Beirut to continue to play an influential role in the future with development in all fields. He said that naming Beirut as World Book Capital in 2009 was an acknowledgment of its cultural role in the book industry, covering authors, printing, and publishing and this makes all the Lebanese responsible for continuing Beirut's cultural role, adding that reading must be increased and be made a national priority, starting with the country's children. He said Beirut should also step up the sophistication in its hospitalization services and its business and banking sectors.

Salam expressed confidence in the future of the city: "I am sure Beirut will continue being the capital of cultural freedom and the place where people enjoy the differences and live the culture of accepting the other.