Old clothes, new look at Beirut “upcycling” store

Lebanese artist Sara Abou Mrad uses glass debris from the Beirut port explosion to make man-in-motion-shaped sculptures.

After the deadly explosion that hit the port of Beirut on August 4 and destroyed part of the city, amid a backdrop of government negligence, corruption and popular revolt, Lebanon is on its knees and seems trapped in a downward spiral. From the rubble of the central neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital to the Shiite south along the Israeli border, our reporters Cyril Payen and Bilal Tarabey followed the daily life of a group of young friends. They tell us about their fears, hopes and dreams with the sincerity of those who have nothing left to lose.

Friday, September 4, marks one month since a huge blast in Beirut's port ripped through the city, killing more than 190 people, wounding at least 6,500 and leaving nearly 300,000 homeless.

A team of rescue workers in search for Beirut blast survivors has found no sign of life beneath the building that collapsed in last month's explosion. Rescuers would now focus on clearing the rubble and finding remains.

Lebanese couture is revered around the world for its flamboyance and artistry, with collections destined for clients based in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and the US. But in recent months, a crippling economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and of course August's catastrophic Beirut port explosion have threatened the industry like never before. Some of the biggest names in Beirut fashion, including the likes of Elie Saab and Tony Ward, spoke to FRANCE 24 about their experience of the past few months.

The UN and France have said an emergency aid fund will be set up to help Lebanon cope with reconstruction after the Beirut port blast. However, long-term economic support depends on forming a viable new government.

Lebanese launch lanterns in Beirut's Gemmayzeh neighbourhood during the lighting of a Christmas tree, in memory of the victims of the devastating August explosion at the Port of Beirut. Firefighters stand in front of the Christmas tree created by Lebanese artist Hayat Nazer and decorated with uniforms of firefighters and rescue workers as a way to pay tribute to those who died in the blast.

Top Lebanese officials had been warned about the dangers of chemicals stored in the port yet failed to act to prevent the tragedy, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

After their small daughter was killed in Beirut's devastating port explosion, one Lebanese couple are fighting for an explanation — and to get their country back.

The August 4 blast that thundered through Beirut levelled entire neighbourhoods, killed more than 200 people, wounded 6,500 others and pummelled the lives of survivors. A year later, AFP caught up with some survivors who spoke about the lasting trauma left behind by the explosion.

Lebanese march towards Beirut port to mark a year since a cataclysmic explosion ravaged the city, protesting impunity over the country's worst peacetime disaster at a time when its economy was already in tatters.

Jorge Moreira has been charged with terrorism and murder in Lebanon over his role in bringing ammonium nitrate explosives into the country. The August 2020 blast killed over 200 people and devastated entire suburbs.