RAGMAG Shining Rays Issue | July 2012 | issue #26

MAGAZINE

July 2012

SHINING

RAYS JIHAD MURR

THE HEAT IS ON MADONNA ABU DHABI

FEELING THE HEAT J U LY 2 0 1 2

HANAA

BEN ABDESSLEM

HOT

COMMODITY THE FIRST ARAB SUPERMODEL IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DISCUSSES STEREOTYPES, TABOOS + BEING THE FACE OF THE MODERN ARAB www.ragmag.co | WOMAN | 1 RAGMAG

or +961 1 900 111 2 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

MAGAZINE

Publisher Gina Gabriel El-Fady Editor in Chief Fida Z Chaaban Managing Director May Ziade Creative Lead Odette Kahwagi

Photograhers Odette Kahwagi Christian Harb Alexi Lubomirski Jason Zamora Teddy Habib Selected images Shutterstock

Webmaster Youmna Chagoury

Contributors Stephanie Aoun Lara Ariss Liliane Assaf Jonathan Cainer Amal Chaaban Youmna Chagoury Rabih Feghali Maria Frangieh Alice Hlidkova Sarah Hourany Matthew Hussey Maria-Elena Kassab Imogen Kimber Chris Lambert Sabina LLewellyn-Davies Maha Majzoub J.E.N. Nour Obaji Jacques Tchabarian Adam Volk

@RAGMAGLebanon RAGMAGMagazine RAGMAG

Opinions expressed are based solely on personal opinion and expericence, not reflective in any way of RAGMAG, a division of Raycon s.a.l.

Media Representative

Stylist Jony Matta Public Relations Coordinator Lea El-Alam Marketing Advisor Daniella Tayar Administrative Coordinator Teddy Younes

Printed by Raidy Printing Group

RAGMAG is a division of Raycon s.a.l.

Copyright RAGMAG 2012 All Rights Reserved.

Roula Chamseddine | Account Manager Nada G. Farha | Founder-MD Jdeideh Chalet Suisse St 444 Center 3rd floor Tel: 01 87 16 63 Ext 103 nfarha@pinkodsal.com advertise@pinkodsal.com RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan Tel: 09 916 222 / 09 913 777 lea.elalam@ragmaglive.com Distributor Lebanese Distributor Company Hamra, Axa Middle East bldg.

Tel: 01 368 007

PER ISSUE 10,000 LBP 6 ISSUES 50,000 LBP 12 ISSUES 100,000 LBP

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w w w . r a g m a g l i v e . c o m

ON OUR COVER Hanaa Ben Abdesslem Photo courtesy of Rahy Consulting

Contact us by phone or email to arrange your subscription subscriptions@ragmaglive.com Lea El-Alam +961 9 916 222 / 9 913 777 RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building, Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan, Lebanon

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SHINING RAYS

88 EDITOR’S OPINION 14 SHOU FI BI LEBNEN

HISTORY, CULTURE + MORE AT MIR AMIN PALACE

EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES 100 COPYCAT REAL LIFE RUNWAY

106 BEST IN SHOW LOUBOUTIN LOVE

120 FASHION FOR A CAUSE BRIT WEEK

OUT + ABOUT 170 A TASTE OF BACCHUS RIVIERA

150 GREEN FUN IN THE SUN GARDEN SHOW 2012

144 SUNSPOT

MADONNA TAKES OVER UAE

34 BACKSTAGE PASS SLASH IN LEBANON

CULTURE CLASH 22 WHEEL 3ANEH! HAYDA LEBNEN

26 THE HEAT IS ON

INTERVIEW WITH JIHAD MURR

HANAA BEN ABDESSLEM

RISING STAR 108 4 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

108 BALLS, BRAINS + A BIRD OF PARADISE HANAA BEN ABDESSLEM

54 ALMA’S SUN + STARS LEBANESE IN ASTRONOMY

48 RUSLAN VASHKEVICH

INVIGORATING IMAGINATION

DOLLARS+SENSE 18 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS? MEDITERRANEAN UNION

YOU + YOUR COUNTRY 24 ONE DAY AT A TIME

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

THE FINAL FRONTIER 58 SMARTPHONES LIGHT THE WAY 52 RIP RAY BRADBURY SCIENCE

TECH

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34

SHINING RAYS

26

MON AMOUR, MON AMI 86 IT’S NOT SUNSHINE + FLOWERS

ONE GUY TALKS ABOUT LOVE IN LEBANON

84 82 80 92

MIND, BODY + SOUL HELP ME NOUR + RABIH ADVICE RAY OF HOPE MATTHEW HUSSEY EXPLORE AKKAR HIKING IN LEBANON FIT IS THE NEW SKINNY RAGMAG MAKES A BIG MISTAKE

MIRROR MIRROR 70 FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT GUERLAIN’S BRONZERS

68 FRESH + FLAWLESS CLINIQUE’S STAY MATTE

74 THE SMOOTHEST SHAVE CADE BY L’OCCITANE

66 AI SE EU TE PEGO BEACH BESTS

76 GRAND HILLS BROUMMANA SPA REVIEW

JIHAD MURR

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY 158 RESTAURANT REVIEW DALIDA 160 LADIES WHO LUNCH ARMENIAN CHEFS 162 SUMMER REFRESHMENT RECIPES TAKE ME WITH YOU 152 BAHIA, SALVADOR TRAVEL

146 147 148 149

SEE, SPEAK + HEAR NO EVIL SOUND CHECK MUSIC READ’EM + WEEP BOOKS PLAY NICE GAMES WATCH OUT FILM

FML 88 TIME TO SHINE

TAKE A VOW OF SILENCE

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THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

A lot has happened at RM for the month of July. We talked to Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, the first supermodel and the height of femininity hailing from Arab Society. We got up-close and personal with the name, the face, and the brain behind Nostalgie, NRJ and MTV Lebanon Mr. Jihad Murr. We got backstage with Slash for a full 5 minutes and I got my autograph!

Thank you Four Seasons for allowing us the pleasure to use your Rooftop for our monthly photo shoot. We would also like to thank EMI Arabia and Roadrunner Records for facilitating our backstage pass!

RM wouldn’t be the interesting magazine that it is without our long-awaited reader rewards that keep our readers constantly on their toes. This month we have L’Occitane and Shiseido to thank for gifting our male readers with top of the line products.

Please keep your emails flowing to

publisher@ragmaglive.com and talk to

me on twitter @GinaGabriel1

Gina Gabriel El-Fady | Publisher

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s ate m n nI me o ks x-W u yE o b S ut 2 nce r a i m e r – B 5, 201 erfo P e e nu 4 & 1 Liv e & V e ing 3, 1 30 PM h 1 n , e T e A t u l y 1 2A t 8 H Scr J

A PLAY PERFORMED BY THE WOMEN INMATES OF BAABDA PRISON

DIRECTED BY ZEINA DACCACHE DIRECTOR OF THE VIDEO SHOOTING: JOCELYNE ABI GEBRAYEL The performance will be followed by a discussion with some of the actresses recently released from prison.

For More Info, Please Contact Catharsis on: (09) 914 932 / (03) 162 573 E.MAIL: info@catharsislcdt.org

Tickets sold at

(01) 999 666

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With the support of Drosos Foundation. In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and the Ministry of Justice.

EDITOR’S LETTER

SHINING

RAYS BECAUSE SUMMER IS LEBANON’S TIME TO SHINE

I

don’t know how to thank you all for the feedback! The June Energy issue got an unprecedented amount of praise, love in the form of images and most importantly, reader interaction. You guys have taken to calling it the Slash issue and we find that only appropriate since the rocker himself hit up Lebanon June 25th. Kudos to the Byblos Fest for bringing him to our side of the world- there’s nothing RAGMAG likes better than being ahead of the trend.

Thank you so much for sending in your “Slash mask” pics- you can see them all in the next few pages. I WANT MORE PICTURES SO KEEP THEM COMING! There are two things this issue that we’re hoping you will dig your teeth into: our interviews with Jihad Murr, the man behind so many of Lebanon’s cool events, and our exclusive interview with Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, the world’s only Arab supermodel. Our reasoning behind featuring Jihad Murr went as follows: Lebanon is struggling right now and who better than to give us an inside look at what challenges businesses (especially the entertainment business- which is ostensibly our biggest strength) are facing. He’s in

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the know and after this interview, you will be too. Hanaa was a whole other story: we simply wanted to know more about the breakthrough beauty who overnight became one of the fashion industry’s brightest stars.

If you’re a scenester, then we’ve got you covered. We were out + about all month and brought you 4 of our favorite events: the Fashion Tribute for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee at Beirut Souks, Riviera Hotel’s wine and dine event, Christian Louboutin’s exhibit in London, and for those of you with a green thumb, the Beirut Garden Show.

We also covered Madonna live on Twitter, but for those of you not using social media (it’s 2012 people), we’ve brought you coverage in print.

Continue to read us every month, we’ve got things in store that no other magazine in the region will bring you. We hope that we surprise you every month with someone and something fresh- we aim to please. I didn’t receive a single email complaining about the mag for June’s issue, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we are open to hearing

both positive and negative comments. All feedback is good feedback and it gives us an idea of what YOU want to see more or less of in the magazine.

Harass me on Twitter @fidachaaban (just kidding) and follow @RAGMAGLebanon for updates and reader rewards that are meant to thank you for being part of RAGMAG. If you think of something that deserves print space, my cyber door is always open. If you haven’t joined us on Facebook and Pinterest yet, we’re looking forward to seeing you on those mediums as well.

Email me at letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com We are the only magazine in Lebanon that talks back. We’re here because of the support and constant encouragement of our loyal readers. It’s Your Magazine.

Fida Z Chaaban | Editor in Chief

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FOR OUR JUNE ISSUE WE CONTINUED TO TALK TO YOU VIA OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMSPINTEREST, TWITTER + FACEBOOK. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION AND HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH US ONLINE.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND SCRIBBLE ON OUR WALL TO WIN, WRITE TO US AT LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR@RAGMAGLIVE.COM OR TWEET US ON TWITTER @RAGMAGLEBANON!

IF YOU’RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE A PIC WITH YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE, SEND IT OUR WAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OR EMAIL! RAGMAG- IT’S YOUR MAGAZINE! RAGMAG reserves the right to edit for clarity and content

This month, in lieu of reader reward previews and winners, we’re showing off some of the best images our readers sent in via email and Twitter. It seems that we’re more viral than ever and having Slash tell us what was what inspired our readers. Thank you to all of the readers who sent us tweets and emails of their copies of RAGMAG.

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU SO KEEP IT UP!

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CHECK US OUT HERE, THERE + EVERYWHERE! For a while now we’ve been content sharing with MSN Arabia. What this means is that we give them articles from our archives. You read it in RAGMAG first, on our website and online archive second, and then a few months later it pops up on MSN. Here are some screenshots of some of our previously published content appearing on MSN Arabia’s site. Big shout out to MSN Arabia’s May Rostom Lifestyle Editor for her support of RAGMAG.

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EDITOR’S OPINION

I NOTICED TONS OF PEOPLE TWEETING AT MIR AMIN PALACE; IT SEEMED EVERYONE HAD EITHER BEEN THERE OR KNEW OF IT AND HERE WAS A SHOCK FOR ME: I WAS OUT OF THE LOOP

‘SHOU FI

BI LEBNEN’ THE EXPERIENCE I BECAME A TOURIST IN LEBANON

T

his month for my opinion editorial, I was planning on writing about the current political situation and the shenanigans that have begun to characterize Lebanon’s summers. Instead, I have decided to take a somewhat sunnier outlook, so to speak, and focus on the true Lebanese summer experience and what SHOULD be symbolic of Lebanon... In order to do this, I had to do what I never do: leave Beirut.

I was inspired by the Ministry of Tourism’s new campaign, not the campaign itself, but the title. “Shou fi bi Lebnen” indeed. I guess I would have to find out first hand.

it was super active and extolled the virtues of the Chouf region. It gave interesting tidbits about Lebanon’s history and how Mir Amin Palace was a must-see monument and a national landmark. I headed to their Facebook page which offered more information and breathtaking images.

Once I began engaging the account on Twitter, I noticed tons of people tweeting at Mir Amin Palace; it seemed everyone had either been there or knew of it and here was a shock for me: I was out of the loop.

I promptly arranged for a #RAGMAGVacay meaning that me and a member of the team (Youmna Chagoury) would head up there and work remote. In the process I wouldn’t suffer during deadline week and at the same time, I could find out “shou fi bi lebnen” and if Mir Amin was as interesting as the social media posts suggested.

I PROMPTLY ARRANGED FOR A #RAGMAGVACAY MEANING THAT ME AND A MEMBER OF THE TEAM (YOUMNA CHAGOURY) WOULD HEAD UP THERE AND WORK REMOTE

I am constantly told that I need to see the countryside and explore what Lebanon has to offer to really love this country. Fact: Lebanon’s winding roads make me carsick, and frankly, I don’t have a lot of free time on my hands to take road trips. I began researching how best to experience Lebanon’s history, cuisine and live it up in general.

Social media solved my problem. Recently a Twitter account cropped up for Mir Amin Palace (@MirAminPalace), 14 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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LEFT: MIR AMIR PRINCIPAL COURTYARD

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EDITOR’S OPINION “What kind of guest are you?” This is a question posed by Tony W. Gergess, the General Manager of Mir Amin Palace.

He is alluding to the historic vibe of the entire space and grounds of the Mir Amin and wonders if you are the sort of person who will love “every stone and every corner” as much as he and his staff do. Well, I’m a very urban sort of guest but I enjoy all forms of history and so far, Mir Amin absolutely qualifies: “It was built in 1838 by Prince Bashir II who ruled from his palace, Beiteddine. Mir Amin palace was built for his oldest son, Amin, who ruled during Prince Bashir’s long absences. After changing hands a number of times, it was eventually purchased by the Lebanese government while Charles Helou was in office.”

We run into a number of European tourists taking pictures of the interior as they consult their guidebooks. Tony lapses into French and quickly explains that the Prince’s other sons were named Kassem and Melhem. He points out details of the Ottoman architecture as I draw comparisons between Mir Amin and some of the landmarks I’ve seen in Istanbul. “Many of Mir Amin’s guests are Europeans, they enjoy the history and the feeling of the hotel,” adds Tony once the tourists have gone outside to tour the courtyard named “Salamlak”. The uppermost part of the hotel is “Haramlek”,

worth mentioning both for the fine craftsmanship and for the fact that the women were housed in this area, as was custom in the early 19th century. I ask about the occupancy rate of the hotel and how they generate visitors and Tony reflects before he comments: “It’s challenging.

It’s a different product –you have to love the history and the culture- it is a jewel. It is not about Zaha Hadid designed this or Philippe Starck did that.” I agree, this is more about preserving the history of a country that stretches back 4000 years and garnering the attention of people that truly enjoy such things.

BELOW: MIR AMIN POOL OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: MIR AMIN WAITING SPACE

THIS IS MORE ABOUT PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF A COUNTRY THAT STRETCHES BACK 4000 YEARS AND GARNERING THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE THAT TRULY ENJOY SUCH THINGS

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I tour the grounds with Tony while he points out an area with a terrace, “this was wasted space, next year it will be our organic garden that we’ll serve fresh meals from.

We want to encourage yoga retreats.”

That sounds delightful, and I make a mental note to try this out near the pool area. There is a beautiful mosaic of an ancient tapestry embedded in the depths of the pool. Mir Amin is truly dotted with

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hidden gems; once you take in the imposing structure and the fine stonemasonry, you are delighted to find a hidden alcove here, a small seating area there. “Here, look through this window. It’s a small hidden room for romantic dinners for two. Who knows, maybe Amin used this room,” he says gesturing. I peer inside and see a tiny room outfitted with a cozy table for the couple seeking perhaps one of the most

I PEER INSIDE AND SEE A TINY ROOM OUTFITTED WITH A COZY TABLE FOR THE COUPLE SEEKING PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST ALLURING (AND INTIMATE) SETTINGS IN LEBANON alluring (and intimate) settings in Lebanon. It is outfitted with ancient stone and the walls will boast flowers and foliage as of next week explains Tony. Returning to the main courtyard, we examine the dedications in the form of plaques. Then, I am awestruck when I examine the ceilings in one of the sitting rooms- it’s done in detailed woodwork that is no longer seen in this day and age. We stop for lunch in one of the many dining areas of the hotel and Tony orders a true Lebanese feast. “I want people to come and enjoy good food and experience the hotel. It gives off feelings,” he says passionately. I don’t want to get all metaphysical, but the Palace does exude positivity -perhaps it’s coming from Abou Rami and his partner- a troubadour signing Lebanese classics or maybe it’s from the waiter who has been with the hotel “for as long as anyone remembers” assisted by the young men trained by some of the region’s best hotels.

I decide to try out the energy of Mir Amin for real. After visiting the entire grounds, I did indeed do yoga with Youmna at Mir Amin’s stunning pool. It was peaceful, sunny and absolutely spotless and it is notable that the staff were very happy to see us practising our fusion yoga and did not disturb us while we chanted ohms that resonated beautifully off the ancient stone. Afterward, they served us fresh fruit on ice and fruit cocktails that quenched our thirst, favouring us with smiles and every courtesy imaginable.

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Shou fi bi Lebnen? There’s Mir Amin Palace, a national treasure and the epitome of the true Lebanese experience: history, culture, hospitality, vibrance, beauty and finally, life outside of Beirut. And for once, I encourage you to do this very thing: leave Beirut immediately and head for Mir Amin Palace in the Chouf. It is the very soul of this country

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DOLLARS+SENSE

STRENGTH

IN NUMBERS? Will Lebanon Join Economic Hands with Mediterranean Nations?

BY MARIA FRANGIEH

E

ven before his election, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed in a campaign speech in February 2007 to gather European, Middle Eastern and North African countries into an economic community: the Mediterranean Union.

BRAINSTORMING: WHAT IS THE “MEDITERRANEAN UNION”?

“A Mediterranean Union would work closely with the European Union and might eventually form joint institutions with the 27-nation bloc. But it would be a separate organization,” Sarkozy said in the Toulon speech. The idea of the Mediterranean Union was first acknowledged in 1997 by Zbigniew Brzezinski. He announced that “France not only seeks a central political role in a unified Europe but also sees itself as the nucleus of a Mediterranean-North African cluster of states that share common concerns.” The Mediterranean Union project was dropped and replaced by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), an intergovernmental institution which provides a new political/institutional framework for Euro-Mediterranean relations; it was announced at the Paris Summit of Heads of

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State and Government on July 13, 2008. The Union for the Mediterranean includes the 27 member countries of the EU and 16 Mediterranean partners (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey); its co-Presidency (one EU member and one non-EU member) rotates every two years.

“A MEDITERRANEAN UNION WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MIGHT EVENTUALLY FORM JOINT INSTITUTIONS WITH THE 27-NATION BLOC. BUT IT WOULD BE A SEPARATE ORGANIZATION” THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

FACT CHECK: IS THIS FOR REAL? Since this union meant a lot to Sarkozy and represented a pillar of his presidency, he went the extra mile and gathered around one table for the first time dignitaries from such rival nations as Israel and Syria, Algeria and Morocco, Turkey and Greece in 2008. The summit’s objectives were to set the ground for the economical, political and cultural union. Was this a serious initiative? Yes, at least for a while: Syria’s President Bashar Assad left the table before Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave his speech to the more than 40 leaders seated around it. It was the first time the two men had sat at the same table. Syria’s participation in the international fold for the summit was preceded by a meeting between Assad and President Michel Suleiman and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, separately, both for the first time.

SINCE THIS UNION MEANT A LOT TO SARKOZY AND REPRESENTED A PILLAR OF HIS PRESIDENCY, HE WENT THE EXTRA MILE AND GATHERED AROUND ONE TABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME DIGNITARIES FROM SUCH RIVAL NATIONS AS ISRAEL AND SYRIA, ALGERIA AND MOROCCO, TURKEY AND GREECE IN 2008 SUMMIT COMMENTARY: THE WHO, WHAT AND WHY I will not comment on the below statements, I leave it to your analysis after the recent changes in the Mediterranean Union. Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, co-presiding the summit with Sarkozy, said: “We are linked by a common destiny.” Mubarak added that, “The success of the Union will depend on ... reforms and durable development.” Israel’s Olmert reportedly commented that, “We are closer than ever to a possible (peace) agreement today” with the Palestinians, and added that he hoped for direct contacts “soon” with Syria.

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DOLLARS+SENSE

BELOW: FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY AND SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR EL-ASSAD RIGHT: SARKOZY WITH FORMER EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK BOTTOM: SARKOZY WITH LEBANESE PRESIDENT MICHEL SLEIMAN

BECOMING A MEMBER OF A UNION DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT A PRICE. MEMBER COUNTRIES HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED TO BECOME MEMBERS

LEBANON: IN OR OUT? Lebanese President Michel Sleiman supported the idea of a Mediterranean Union. Being a member would positively impact the lagging Lebanese country in this fast-changing world.

The hopes of Sarkozy were high, an Economic Union that will lead to a Monetary Union, similar to the current European Union, empowering the member countries on the international level. The Mediterranean Union will start by being a forum for annual or bi-annual exchange between countries bordering the Mediterranean, but not a new institution. It would be a “union project” based on specific programs, such as a water agency responsible for combating pollution of the Mediterranean or a development agency for small and medium enterprises. The controversial aspect of this union resides in the gathering of all these 43 countries, especially when political conflicts and wars already exist between some members. One of the most important factors of success of this union depends on the peace agreements that will be signed between conflicting countries, especially between Israel, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, amongst others.

Since we might experience growth and stability when the union will be fully put into place why not sign a peace agreement with Israel? The answers are very simple: becoming a member of a union does not happen without a price. Member countries have to meet the requirements imposed to become members, such as maintain an inflation rate, unemployment rate, economic growth, and the like. Check out what is currently happening in the European Union, many countries are not able to meet the membership requirements. On the other hand, in the case of Lebanon specifically, the Lebanese economy is currently suffering from many economic problems (they will not be expanded upon here, I will leave this to your imagination), and obviously cannot meet any requirements, not even the current economic policy basics.

If Lebanon signs a peace agreement with Israel, the Lebanese economy will worsen, Israeli products will invade the Lebanese market (which is already the case today), local production (although currently very scarce) will not be able to compete in the local market, Israeli labor will also highly compete with Lebanese labor, and the economy will deteriorate even further. The points of debate are endless; however I will rest my case at this point.

RAGMAG readers, you can tell us what you think by tweeting us: “#MedUnion yes or no @RAGMAGLebanon”

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CULTURE CLASH

HAYDA LEBNEN’s WHEEL-3ANEH EL SENEH!

BY SARAH HOURANY

T

he Lebanese Ministry of Tourism is expected to launch a new campaign soon dubbed “Shou fi bi Lebnen” to promote Lebanon as an international tourist destination. This initiative came at a critical time when Gulf countries, among others, were issuing travel warnings urging their citizens to avoid visiting “dangerous” Lebanon. Clashes erupting here and there were leaving people wounded and there was general civil unrest. While this much-needed initiative (Shou fi bi Lebnen) is deeply appreciated, RAGMAG is pretty sure that it will not yield the desired benefits.

Yes, as hard as it is for you to believe my fellow Lebanese, some people are actually afraid to visit us… Bass bedna ne3zeron! Haram, they don’t know what being Lebanese actually means! They don’t know that when the infijarat mode was turned on, back in 2005, t3awadna w t2aklamna w tamsa7na much sooner than expected. Most of us, myself included, prepared a smart and accurate bombing schedule, using some of the basic probability notions: • Ah lyom fajjaro “hayda el mall”? Eh laken bokra “hayda el mall” would be a completely safe place for a quiet afternoon coffee.

• Ah mberih ken el infijar bi Jounieh? Chances are the next one will be in Beirut… access to the capital is therefore denied! Following the same reasoning, we guaranteed back then a wheel-3an summer!

• They don’t know that during Harb Tammouz, the devastating war during which South Lebanon was heavily bombarded, people adopted their famous schizophrenic attitude one more time. Acting as though the South was situated in another continent, Lebanese people decided to preserve their

THEY DON’T KNOW THAT WHEN THE INFIJARAT MODE WAS TURNED ON, BACK IN 2005, T3AWADNA W T2AKLAMNA W TAMSA7NA MUCH SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

HOW DO WE KNOW? The reason is wonderfully simple: You cannot possibly convince tourists to ignore the warnings by showing them pictures of mesmerizing locations across the country. With the increasing access to hundreds of newspapers, websites, TVs, radio stations and social media applications, the truth cannot be concealed anymore: bombs, internal clashes and burning tires are, unfortunately, now characteristic of what was previously known as the Switzerland of the Middle East.

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precious lifestyle. The displacement of people eventually led to a boom in regions that were considered mayteh for a long time: “Masa2ibu kawmen 3enda kawmen fawa2idou”! Nightclubs moved to Klei3at, Broummana enjoyed a vibrant nightlife, house parties were trending. Believe it or not, kenit sayfiye wheel-3aneh, bil harb eh, bass bil sahar as well!

• They don’t know that when a political decision triggered internal clashes in Tripoli recently, Lebanese people khafo

w ze3lo w 2erfo, for a day or two! As puzzling as it may be, people were killing each other in the North while others were celebrating la vie en rose on Beirut rooftops.

• They don’t know that cutting off roads by burning tires and garbage bins is a legitimate and completely normal behavior. 2enno 3ade! Ze3len men your girlfriend? Hro2 douleb. Your favorite team lost bil Euros? Hro2 douleb. M3assab from a pollution-emitting cement factory in the neighborhood?

Hro2 douleb! El mouhem tdalla wheel3aneh!

They don’t know all of the above, 7a22on. But the msibe is that we don’t know whether we’re resilient to crisis or just cha3eb bala mokh! In all cases, we advise the Ministry of Tourism to pick another title for its campaign, for more accuracy and more credibility.

Instead of “Shou fi Bi Lebnen”, try “Wheel-3aneh bi Lebnen” masalan, la2ano hayda bikun 3anjad Lebnen ya 3ayneh!

BUT THE MSIBE IS THAT WE DON’T KNOW WHETHER WE’RE RESILIENT TO CRISIS OR JUST CHA3EB BALA MOKH!

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YOU + YOUR COUNTRY

CLEAR AS DAY TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL BATTLING CORRUPTION IN LEBANON

BY IMOGEN KIMBER

Y

ou all know someone who has done it: Rather than going through the time-consuming hassle of getting the Ministry of Transport tests for your car and making any necessary car repairs, it is so much easier and quicker to just pay a small bribe for the certification papers. It is just for one car, so no harm done, right? Think again.

“In a corrupt system almost nothing else can hope to flourish,” explains Mohammed Alem, Secretary-General of the Lebanese branch of Transparency International, the global coalition leading in the fight against corruption, “People don’t know the cost to the country.”

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IT ALL ADDS UP

Very few Lebanese will deny that the country is rife with corruption in almost all sectors. At the highest level, injustice caused by corruption in the courts or the government is clear.

Alem describes a well-known case in which a judge in a high court accepted a bribe of millions of dollars. The case came to light because the judge accepted the bribe but did not rule in favour of the person who had paid him, so the highly disgruntled man went public. While in this particular example the bribery was exposed, in other cases the person who accepts the bribe can make off with the money, and in a doubly corrupt twist, the guilty person gets off for committing two crimes rather than being punished for one.

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However, Alem asserts that small-scale bribery is equally problematic. “When you are trying to get something done it is common for your friends to ask you whether you ‘paid someone’ to get it done. If you didn’t they will actually think you are crazy,” says Alem. He points out that it is easy to feel that doing something via the unofficial route saves you money or time, but we all lose in the long run.

Take the Ministry of Transportation example above. As Alem explains, the problem with this is twofold. Firstly, this kind of bribery creates a low safety standard for us all. Cars need to be checked to ensure they do not pose any danger to people on the roads. Secondly, all this corruption adds up to millions and millions of dollars being taken away from public services in Lebanon. Not only does this seemingly small bit of corruption put everyone on the road at risk, but it denies the public general funds that support programs to benefit us all.

‘TIME TO WAKE UP’

Taking into consideration the role we all can play in fighting corruption, Transparency International has launched a new campaign in Lebanon, and around the world, to educate people about the problem and engage

the cost to the economy every time they accept some kind of corruption.

This cost relates directly to the condition of the country they are living in.”

This is a new approach for Transparency International. Until now, the majority of organization’s work has involved advocating and lobbying at senior levels to create a system that does not tolerate corruption.

“The problem is if you are one you cannot make a change,” says Alem. By making it clear that any type of corruption hurts us all, he says, the campaign aims to engage people across all sectors and levels to enact this change. Imran Khan, Pakistani politician and activist, said that “Pakistan is not a poor country, the governance in Pakistan is poor,” one could argue the same about Lebanon

BY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT ANY TYPE OF CORRUPTION HURTS US ALL, THE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO ENGAGE PEOPLE ACROSS ALL SECTORS AND LEVELS TO ENACT THIS CHANGE. them in finding a solution. ‘Time to Wake Up’ is a campaign that takes the bottom-up approach to ‘wake people up’ from the status quo of accepting corruption and then encourage them to take responsibility. “We have created a society of people who are corrupt,” says Alem, “People need to understand

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.timetowakeup.org

BELOW: STILL IMAGE OF THE ‘WAKE UP’ CAMPAIGN

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CULTURE CLASH

JIHAD MURR THE HEAT IS ON FACT + FICTION WITH LEBANON’S ENTERTAINMENT DYNAMO

BY FIDA CHAABAN

C

an I come to your birthday party?” This is one of the first things I ask Jihad Murr during our interview. Why? Because he’s behind NRJ, Nostalgie, MTV Lebanon, 2U2C and a whole slew of other stuff, so you know when he says he’s going to “do something big for my fiftieth birthday” that it will be really worth the show. Known for the success of some of Lebanon’s most relevant networks in broadcast journalism and entertainment, Jihad is sitting with me in his Achrafieh office that houses Beirut’s MTV Lebanon. “You’re welcome to come and tour Naccashe whenever you want,” he says affably referring to their Metn base. “I have a meeting every 30 minutes, sometimes I feel like a dentist,” Jihad jokes about the long list of appointments in his calendar today of which I am the third. Having never personally met Jihad Murr, but frequently hearing of him, I decided to find out what was and was not based in fact. As one of Lebanon’s most powerful people, both the entertainment and media industries constantly refer to Jihad in business and personal conversations.

Murr is a figure of considerable interest in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East: he’s the name that gets dropped quite often when you want something done, he’s the subject of lots of speculation and gossip, and finally he’s one of the only people that really is well connected enough to tell you what’s up in a lagging economy like Lebanon’s.

The 45 year-old entrepreneur, born on September 14, 1966, has lived in Lebanon for most of his life. He is the father of “3 kids, I got married at 27.” His oldest child is 16, and his middle child is 14: “They love having a dad who’s close to the stars. They think I’m half-cool. My wife does the bad job,” he says laughing, meaning that she’s the disciplinarian and he’s the guy that rolls in with Pit Bull and Wiz Khalifa. Only cooler than that for a teenager would be if your dad was Pit Bull or Wiz Khalifa, “I’m a star-bringer, not a star.” Murr, he asked me to drop the prefix of “El” calling it “pretentious”, is the Chief Operating Officer of MTV Lebanon while his brother Michel Murr is the Chief Executive Officer.

HE’S ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT REALLY IS WELL CONNECTED ENOUGH TO TELL YOU WHAT’S UP IN A LAGGING ECONOMY LIKE LEBANON’S

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AS ONE OF LEBANON’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE, BOTH THE ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA INDUSTRIES CONSTANTLY REFER TO JIHAD IN BUSINESS AND PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS

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CULTURE CLASH BELOW: WIZ KHALIFA ‘FLIGHT SCHOOL’ ALBUM COVER

‘DURING THE WEEK THIS HAPPENED, WE DIDN’T SELL ANY TICKETS, NOT JUST FOR WIZ KHALIFA, WE DIDN’T SELL FOR ANY EVENT AT ALL’

The American University of Beirut (AUB) grad was French educated until university and speaks highly of his alma mater: “I went to AUB and I think it’s a good school until this day. Recently I went to the business school and met with the professors, I was interested in it. I used to teach at ALBA but I don’t have time anymore but I do some seminars once in a while.”

He’s been in Lebanon most of his life but “spent a couple of years in France. I like it, but I prefer Lebanon. It’s like a big home. Other countries are nicer for the advantages they give… the conveniences. It’s much better. I hate Lebanon for being …” he says trailing off to collect his thoughts.

“Buildings not well kept, things not regulated. This is the thing I hate the most about my country. Other than that I feel like it’s a big family- if you need something, everyone knows everyone else. The weather is nice, it’s small and cozy. It’s nice to live here except for the inconveniences and the political situation. If you didn’t have the bad political situation and these inconveniences then Lebanon would be marvelous.” If

he had to leave Lebanon, where would he go? “3 countries actually- U.S., France or the U.K., I don’t like Canada, it’s too cold for me, I’ve been there but it’s not for me. Even in Boston I found it quite cold. There’s a lot of very nice places but I’d like to have weather I can cope with.”

As a Canadian, I think coping with weather is preferable (and more manageable) to coping with economic downturns due to political unrest. This prompts me to ask how he’s been affected business-wise due to the recent troubles Lebanon has been having. “All of my businesses are affected!

First of all, let’s say as a promoter, I have to convince an artist to come…

I have to convince him ten times more because for them, Lebanon isn’t a place they want to go!

And then, when something happens, it’s even harder because the ticket sales stop and we have to re-convince the artist to come as if there is nothing going on. That was the case with Wiz Khalifa. They were asking me what’s happening, they heard of kidnappings, shootings… during the week this happened, we didn’t sell any tickets, not just for Wiz Khalifa, we didn’t sell for any

‘WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS, [...] THE TICKET SALES STOP AND WE HAVE TO RE-CONVINCE THE ARTIST TO COME AS IF THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON’

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event at all,” he says referring to the recent bout of turmoil in Tripoli and elsewhere. The struggle doesn’t end here; Jihad adds that the biggest challenge facing Lebanese TV networks is “the advertising budget. It’s much lower because of what’s happening in the region. Every year we say it’s getting better and it isn’t. TV stations especially like ours, and radio, depend only on advertising. They don’t have a political affiliation like most of the other TV stations who have a political party backing them up. It’s hard, we say next year it will be better and the advertising will grow, but then something happens and it doesn’t improve- whether it be what happened a few years ago in Dubai or what’s happening in Lebanon now. This isn’t helping at all, on the contrary.” Does Lebanon have the cash?

“No, but when you think of it, most of the countries, even the States are indebted to someone right now. It’s a worldwide thing but in Lebanon we’re not doing anything to improve, we’re doing things to make it worse actually it so that’s not very safe [fiscally].” I suggest to Jihad that we should dump all of our politicians and replace them with economic-educated professionals and he says wistfully, “I wish we could do that.

There are a lot of things we agree on but we can’t do.” Jihad

and I do indeed agree on a few things when we delve further into economics, debunking rumour number 2: He is a businessman, not a politico diehard.

On this note, we venture into the rumours surrounding MTV Lebanon: popular opinion labels them extreme ring-wing.

“MTV is right-wing, but not extreme right. We’re closer to the 14th of March but not fully because we sometimes criticize them, and we should do that. Other TV stations like OTV would never criticize [Michel] Aoun, Future will never criticize [Saad] Hariri, but we do… They accuse us of being Lebanese Forces, [but] it’s not the case. We’re the only one who is airing them, while the others will not -LBC is in conflict with themneither will the others. So we put them on, and this is why we’re assumed to be with them, but we’re not.” For our readers who are unfamiliar with Lebanon’s broadcast networks, most of them are politically affiliated if not owned by the politicians in question, and hence, receive regular cash injections to continue to operate so advertising is not as big of a concern. This enables various political entities to continue to pump out their agendas to a wide audience, and this includes moral and religious ideologies.

‘OTHER TV STATIONS LIKE OTV WOULD NEVER CRITICIZE [MICHEL] AOUN, FUTURE WILL NEVER CRITICIZE [SAAD] HARIRI, BUT WE DO… THEY ACCUSE US OF BEING LEBANESE FORCES, [BUT] IT’S NOT THE CASE’

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CULTURE CLASH OPPOSITE PAGE: PLACEBO PERFORMING IN THE BEST EUROPEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL - EXIT 2010, ON JULY 9, 2010 IN THE PETROVARADIN FORTRESS IN NOVI SAD. (STEFAN OLSDAL) BELOW: JIHAD MURR’S OFFICE IN ACHRAFIEH

What about entertainment, who does Jihad think is best positioned to reach a huge demographic? “Mona Abou HamzeMona is the best known TV figure. Younger people identify with the guys in the afternoon or to Pierre Rabat.” And for U.S. entertainment, who does Jihad find the most impactful?

“Eminem, but he costs over a million dollars to bring.” I ask about Lebanese-American comedian Nemr Abou Nassar with primarily English material: “It’s nice, I wish there were a lot more like him. I like to see this crowd coming out, like Nemr’s stand-up comedy. I’d like to see more English singers in Lebanon doing pop, rap, rock… most of the artists here are unfortunately too heavy –death metal, stuff like this. It’s something not marketable, not in Lebanon and not abroad. I’d like to see a lot of people coming with original material like Nemr or in those music genres and I’d support it.” Is English overtaking French in Lebanon? “I think it is. I’m French-educated.

My kids are now half-half and at that age I didn’t speak English as well as them. Now they have access to everything, TV channels around the world, the music, everything. We didn’t

have so much access to all these movies and TV and now you have the internet. All of these things are done in English so people are tending toward globalization and if they want to do that they have to speak in English,” he says. What’s he listening to lately? “I’m bringing Within Temptation [to Lebanon] and I love them, Muse, 30 Seconds to Mars… this type of music which is kind of alternative rock. I’m not really attached to old Arabic music. I have Fairouz’s CD in my iPod. When I opened the radio station in 79, 80 [sic] the first song I played was “Behibak Ya Lebnen”, that’s something that makes me close to Arabic music but I don’t really like what’s being produced nowadays.”

Currently embroiled in a lawsuit with a number of grassroots activists over the Placebo concert a few years back, Murr says he decided to sue “because I’m pissed at all these people who hurt Lebanon. For me, if I’d like to listen to every person who said we can’t work with anyone who works with Israel… Look you wouldn’t even be printing this magazine, maybe the machine it was printed on is also a machine sent to Israel. Each time an artist passes through Israel doesn’t [get] permission to come here, that really pisses

‘EACH TIME AN ARTIST PASSES THROUGH ISRAEL DOESN’T [GET] PERMISSION TO COME HERE, THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF. THEY AREN’T ALLOWED TO COME HERE!’

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CULTURE CLASH

BELOW: JIHAD MURR BEING INTERVIEWED

BY EDITOR FIDA CHAABAN

‘IT ONLY TAKES 2 CRAZY PEOPLE TO SCARE PEOPLE IN LEBANON. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THOUSANDS’

me off. They aren’t allowed to come here! By doing this and preventing them from coming here, they’re not hurting Israel, they’re hurting Lebanon -they’re hurting the economy of Lebanon and hurting the young people of Lebanon who can’t go to the concerts. Israel won’t feel anything if Placebo doesn’t come to Lebanon.” And to the people drawing parallels between Jihad and the Israeli parliament for suing over boycott calls? “These are extremists who will just throw out anything to make their point. They were effective by scaring people during [the time of] the Placebo concert. I had friends who said they wouldn’t be sending their kids even though they had tickets, so what about the people buying tickets at the door? I had people who wanted to come but they didn’t because they heard there would be a protest –they were maybe twenty, thirty people- that’s not a protest, but sometimes it only takes 2 crazy people to scare people in Lebanon. You don’t have to be thousands.” The lawsuit is still pending and Jihad is asking for damages as financial recompense for the lost business. “I mean even if I hurt them by making them pay even a little, they will think before doing it next time. It is for the principle. I’m defending Lebanon if I’m against people who just want to stop bands from coming to the country, like Lara Fabian… Oh this guy who performed in Israel versus oh there’s ten bands who didn’t,” he says heatedly. Rumour 3 clarified: Jihad isn’t apologetic about the Placebo lawsuit and intends to see it through fully.

The last 2 topics I want to cover with Jihad are personal in nature: womanizing and Islamaphobia. Rumour 4: Jihad is said to be a rampant Romeo. Does he indeed love women, true or false? “Of course I do; I guess all guys do,” he says laughing. “I’m being accused of sleeping with all the people in the media that I work with because I’m surrounded by beautiful

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women. If you think about it, most of my anchors are male, less than half are female and less than half are very successful.

If you find a pretty anchor that’s not successful, then maybe you can accuse a person of this. I’m being accused wrongly, but this is a typical comment… Ahh this guy is in the media, so definitely he must be going out with a few of them.” Rumour 5: Jihad Murr is a raging Islamaphobic and this all ties into Jihad versus “Jyad”. For those of you who don’t know, Jihad spells his name Jyad on social media platforms and even on his business cards. So does he in fact have an issue with Muslims? “Not at all, I wrote on my Facebook that I’m proud of having friends from all the religions. Most of my closest friends are not Christians,” he says shrugging. “I’m against the negative connotation of how they use the word Jihad. I’m just placing that to make a point,” he says referring to the alternative spelling. “Every time I go to the borders in the U.S., I get ‘You have been randomly selected for search…’ in France, everywhere. When I go with Michel my brother, it’s fine for him but Jihad, they think this guy must be a terrorist.”

So is he a good guy after all? “I’m a guy who does a lot of good for the entertainment business in the country. Most of the things I do, I do to create good. Most of the time I am bringing artists that I know will make me lose money. I’m not making any money off these things. I’m doing it for the fun; for the country,” explains Jihad.

After this interview, I feel comfortable stating that Jihad Murr is 2 things: a businessman and a patriot. I think he is one of the good guys, maybe one of the few we have left. Let’s hope he continues to do things “for the country”, and let’s hope he doesn’t need to continue to do it at a personal financial loss. It is, at the end of the day, a rare motivation these days in Lebanon

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OUT+ABOUT

BACKSTAGE PASS

KICK ITWITH

SLASH PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTIAN HARB

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RAGMAG tries our very best to bring you stuff no one else does.

This time, we chilled backstage with Slash before his June 25th appearance at the Byblos Festival with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. “I just got in from Milan and tomorrow I’m going to Austria,” Slash said. No news there, we’ve been following the rocker around ever since we interviewed him back in April! Here he is autographing a few copies of our June Energy issue and joking around with our staff while doing a quick guitar tune up. There’s nothing like Rock N’ Roll and nobody does it better! Big shout out to EMI Arabia and Roadrunner Records for their continuous efforts to bring you the best in entertainment. RAGMAG loves you Slash and judging by the roaring crowd at the Byblos Fest, Lebanon does too! Readers, check out @Slash’s Twitter timeline liil.

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PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTIAN HARB

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RAGGED SHINING RAYS FACTS

299

792458

m/s

That’s the speed of light, ladies and gents. Commonly adopted as 300 kilometers per second and denoted by C, the speed of light appears in the universally known equation of mass-energy equivalence, E= mc2. The speed of light travelling through transparent materials (gas or air) is less than C. Usually, people think light moves “instantaneously” but you can feel the time delay over long distances –the light you see in a starry summer sky left said stars many, many years ago.

SHINE LINE Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 psychological horror movie, based on Stephen King’s novel “The Shining”, is considered to be a classic horror movie. It tells the story of a writer who takes up a job as the caretaker of a remote hotel during winter when it’s completely snowed in. His son has ESP (or “shining”) and has terrifying visions of the hotel and manifestations of evil spirits who slowly drive his father crazy and leads him to break down a door in a bloodlust rage, yelling “HERE’S JOHNNY!”, a line that remains pervasive in pop culture.

STING RAY Billy Joel honored the legendary Ray Charles by giving him the moniker “Architect of Rock and Roll”, saying he might have been more important to the genre than Elvis himself! Ray Charles Robinson (September 23rd 1930 – June 10th 2004) played a major role in the racial integration of country and pop music and was a pioneer in rhythm and blues, gospel, soul and blues music. Completely blind by the age of 7, Ray went on to become one of the best-known names in the music industry.

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1998

The year Madonna’s 7th album Ray of Light was released with a title track single of the same name. The music video for the single, directed by Jonas Akerlund, depicts the daily life of people in different cities in a highspeed time lapse; it won two Grammys, one for Best Dance Recording and one for Best Short Form Music Video. The song is hailed as one of the best songs of the 90’s and is said to have introduced the electronic dance genre into mainstream U.S. pop.

SUNSTROKE The sun is shining and its scorching rays are the perfect way for you to burn to a crisp while sipping a cool drink by the pool. And while your body produces Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, over-exposure to UV rays can lead to skin burns, accelerated skin aging and melanoma. Experts recommend slathering on sunscreen, covering up, and avoiding exposing yourself to the sun’s rays during the hottest hours.

GOLLUM’S

PRECIOUS Despite all you might have heard about Magpies stealing and/or collecting shiny objects, studies have shown that it is all a rather unproven urban legend. Magpies are thought to be one of the most intelligent animals on the planet; it is one of the few species able to recognize itself in a mirror. Now who are we going to blame for all our missing shiny trinkets?

26:05

The length of Pink Floyd’s nine-part Shine On You Crazy Diamond. It is a tribute to Syd Barrett, who provied major musical and stylistic direction in their early work. Written by Roger Waters, Richard Wright and David Gilmour, the track is split into two parts, the first runs for 13 minutes and 37 seconds whilst the second goes on for 12 minutes and 28 seconds. It was recorded for their 1975 concept album Wish You Were Here and has been featured in over a dozen of Pink Floyd’s CD and DVD releases.

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CULTURE CLASH

BRING ME TO LIFE EVANESCENCE IN LEBANON

MIX FM’S CHART-TOPPING MUSIC BRINGS ALIVE BEIRUT’S WATERFRONT AMY LEE, ONE OF EVANESCENCE’S ONLY ORIGINAL REMAINING MEMBERS, TALKS ABOUT MUSIC, MOTIVATION AND FINALLY, THE BAND’S FIRST PERFORMANCE IN LEBANON. CONCERT IMAGES COURTESY OF MIX FM

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CULTURE CLASH

B

rought to you by Mix FM, the two-time Grammy winning group’s appearance on June 23rd shook the jam-packed Beirut Waterfront for the first ever appearance of Evanescence. The lineup, headed

by Amy Lee since Evanescence’s inception in 1995, included the current band comprised of Terry Balsamo on lead guitar, Tim McCord on bass, Will Hunt on drums, and Troy McLawhorn playing second lead guitar. The band’s debut first studio album “Fallen”, released in 2003, sold over 17 million copies. Their first live album, 2004’s “Anywhere but Home” sold over a million copies and their second studio album, “The Open Door”, was released in 2006 and sold over 6 million copies. In 2004 the band won “Best Rock Artist” at the World Music Awards. Several other nominations have dotted the band’s creative endeavours, most notably those of the MTV Music Awards, the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, and the Grammys.

For their only Middle East show, Amy Lee talked exclusively to Mix FM prior to their concert in Lebanon as part of their current promo tour that is taking them throughout Europe and then back to the US. For the band’s first trip to Lebanon the artist, born Amy Lynn Hartzler, said that they were “really excited about it… I know that it’s been a crazy time lately and I don’t know if a lot of people have come there or not but it’s definitely one of the [concerts] we’re really looking forward to. I’m getting a lot of action [on Twitter], fans are definitely talking about the Beirut show. It’s been kind of a whirlwind, you know this tour is just going, we’re going to so many places that we’ve never been to before. I’ve been seeing my Twitter blow up – and just getting excited with the fans here since we’ve never played

here before and it’s a new experience. We can’t wait!” Their tour, taking them far from their United States base, definitely has challenges says Amy: “Well, I mean I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t hard a little bit. It’s just one of those things -I really love the music and I really love our fans- if you just remind yourself of that and surround yourself with the right things and concentrate on the shows its cool. I do miss my home and my family... I know that I won’t be doing this my whole entire life and it’s a very special opportunity to be on this adventure [so] I’m very grateful.”

Throughout Amy’s interviews, the singer-songwriter constantly refers to her fans first. She also has a reputation in the media of being easy to work with, positive and down to earth, making her one of Rock’s most accessible artists. Far-flung locales taken into consideration, she added that, “I want to go everywhere. If we have fans somewhere, I want to go there and play there for them. Any place that we can go for the first time, there’s definitely a special energy about it between the crowd and us. Not everybody obviously, but there are people there that have known about us or been a fan to some degree for a decade now, and we’re finally there! It’s just a really cool thing that we’ve survived this long and we’re finally [in Lebanon].” The Beirut show featured a number of the band’s best-loved tracks including, “The Other Side”, “Bring Me to Life”, “Lithium”, “Going Under”, and “Call Me When You’re Sober”. Their encore number “My Immortal”, performed a cappella on piano by Lee, is from their debut album, “Fallen”, and hit number one on a slew of music charts worldwide.

‘ANY PLACE THAT WE CAN GO FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE’S DEFINITELY A SPECIAL ENERGY ABOUT IT BETWEEN THE CROWD AND US’

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BELOW: AMY LEE AND THE EVANESCENCE BAND AT THE RECORDING STUDIO Photos by Josh Hartzler | © Evancescence.com

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CULTURE CLASH

‘I BECAME SUPER INSPIRED ABOUT MOZART AND BEING A CLASSICAL COMPOSER AND REALLY, REALLY [SIC] BADLY WANTED TO BE LIKE THAT’

LEFT: AMY LEE AT THE 2003 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS AT THE MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS, DEC 2003 FeatureFlash / Shutterstock ABOVE: STILL IMAGE FROM THE MOVIE “AMADEUS”

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RIGHT: SINGER/SONGWRITER LYKKE LI

Citing her influences, 30 year-old Amy firmly suggests her first motivation to perform musically “was the movie ‘Amadeus’.

I became super inspired about Mozart and being a classical composer and really, really [sic] badly wanted to be like that.

I didn’t know that I wanted to be a singer for a while, I just knew that I wanted to play piano. I actually thought that I wanted to make scores or some type of instrumental-classical music,” she explains emphatically. The 1984 film is the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is considered a turning point in biography style movies. “It was definitely part of what fuelled the Evanescence inspiration, part of our sound definitely has that classical backbone… just later on I was super-influenced by other things like Grunge and awesome music in the Alternative area.” Currently, Amy is a bit more mainstream saying that, “Right now, I really like Lykke Li… she’s extremely talented- really interesting, unique kind of sound and voice. As far my history and things that have inspired me all along my life are [music like] Soundgarden, I said Mozart, Tory Amos, Björk, Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails… There’s so much more, I could go on for a really long time.

There are a lot of good bands out there.” But what about the fact Evanescence is known for including unorthodox backgrounds and compositions, why the deviation on their newest album? “I love choir, I’m a giant choir nerd. This album has a little bit of a modern edge.

I didn’t want it to have that kind of classical epic in any way sort of gothy [sic] vibe, I felt that it needed to be pushed into the future in that way.” The classically-trained pianist also did some university level music theory and composition courses but did not complete her degree. From the new self-titled album Amy really loves “The Change”, but do they actually listen to their own music? “I haven’t in a while but when we’re making the music, it’s literally all we listen to. Leading up to the recording of the album, during the recording of the album

and for the first month probably after recording the album, it’s just straight-up all the time, you’re listening to the demo, you’re thinking about what you can change, you’re thinking about the mix, thinking about what it means- everything. I definitely know all the songs inside and out from playing them over and over and over [sic]but now, once we finally got past it and we’re actually playing the songs on stage every night, so no, not really. I’m definitely hearing them enough,” jokes Lee. Regarding future collaborations, Amy says she isn’t limiting their possibilities: “I don’t have one [artist] specifically, I’m open-minded.

I’ve got to gage the energy... you can’t just write with anybody first of all and if it’s going to be a writing collaboration you’ve got to kind of like them first. You’ve got to have a cool vibe going.” The numerous offers like soundtrack for film usage, how do they choose which to go forward with? “I say no a lot more than I say yes… there’s a lot of crap, you know? I really want to make sure that we are a part of something that makes sense for us and it’s not cheap. I never want to do something that’s cheap and it looks like a money grab.

You know, it’s hard today in music for artists to make money I think – labels are well. You see more and more people doing things they wouldn’t have done before.” What about the band’s identity, depending on the source they’ve been called Goth-Metal, Rock, Rock-Metal, Alternative-Rock, so which is it? “I think one of the cool things about this band is that I feel

‘RIGHT NOW, I REALLY LIKE LYKKE LI… SHE’S EXTREMELY TALENTED- REALLY INTERESTING, UNIQUE KIND OF SOUND AND VOICE’

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CULTURE CLASH

LEFT TO RIGHT: BIOPHILIA, BJÖRK’S LATEST ALBUM, BJÖRK AT THE 73RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS IN LOS ANGELES | FeatureFlash/shutterstock

that we can kind of go all over the place. We have songs that are really stripped down, songs are that angsty [sic], songs that are peaceful, songs that are sad.” Her favorite song to perform live “definitely varies from night to night, and crowd to crowd.” About their recent work with Producer Steve Lillywhite in 2010, Lee remains optimistic and isn’t closing any doors, contrary to some previously published interviews: “Some of the songs we were working on at that point actually did end up on the Evanescence album. There are some really cool ideas left over that I still totally believe in and would love to work on more in the future.

We don’t have a plan at the moment, we’re just totally in tour mode but I definitely think a lot of the songs will see the light of day one day.”

Having covered several songs during their lengthy band run such as Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” and Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” why stop there? Why hasn’t she covered a Björk song for instance, since she has gone on record several times citing Björk’s impact on her music? “I don’t think I could make it any better,” she says laughing. “I don’t even want to do a cover unless -I don’t think ‘better’ is the way to put it – homage, you know? To something that you already love. But I think that it should be different, you have to somehow put your spin on it and make it feel like a new revelation. My favorite covers have been extremely different from the originals. One of my favorite covers is Tory Amos covering ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’; when she sings it and plays it on the piano in this beautiful, haunting way, you hear the lyrics in a new light and it sort of means something else -like post Kurt’s [Cobain] death- at least that’s what it does to me. I never want to take a song that I really like and just spit it out the same way, I always want it to be different and impacting

[sic]. I haven’t had any of those revelation ideas about Björk’s music yet.” The Icelandic crossover oddball’s unique brand of caterwauling and pageantry are Lady Gaga-esque, just not as mainstream. Perhaps Lee has drawn on Reykjavík-born Björk’s fondness for costume but not niche crowd, since Evanescence’s fans are not genre-specific. Why are some of their songs not performed on stage, like “End of The Dream”? “It’s really difficult… As far as getting ready for the show, there’s so many songs that we have to choose from now. It’s one of those ones that I would [rather] ration my voice. Like either put it at the very end if you have the voice to really blow it… There’s definitely songs that I choose or don’t choose and work them into the set a certain way so I can survive on tour for a year,” explains Amy, referring to the challenge of some of the more difficult songs in their catalogue. “It seems like people just sell their souls to get out there and I want to be the one person who doesn’t do that,” says Lee, referencing trading the band’s ethos for marketable material.

“I think at the end of the day, what people really want to hear is a real person talking about real life,” says Amy, who calls herself “a natural leader”. Maybe this is why Evanescence has managed to pump out their hard to define sound on a global scope. “This is bigger than just me and all my blah, blah, blah [sic] and what’s going on in my life and my drama. It’s their therapy too. I know what that means because I’ve had those artists in my life. I remember being completely entrenched in Nirvana in the 90’s and just feeling like they were the only thing that understood me in a moment, and the fact that anyone feels like that about our music, it blows my mind.”

Amy Lee and her Evanescence band mates set the stage in Beirut alight, and did in fact manage to make everyone in the audience feel like that about their music. It’s been a long time coming, and they aren’t going to stop now

‘I HAVEN’T HAD ANY OF THOSE REVELATION IDEAS ABOUT BJÖRK’S MUSIC YET[...] I DON’T THINK I COULD MAKE IT ANY BETTER’

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CLOCKWISE FORM TOP LEFT: TORI AMOS AT THE VH1 BIG IN 2002 AWARDS IN LOS ANGELES FeatureFlash/shutterstock, AMY LEE AT THE 31ST ANNUAL AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS IN LOS ANGELES, 2003 FeatureFlash/shutterstock, NIRVANA BAND.

‘ONE OF MY FAVORITE COVERS IS TORY AMOS COVERING ‘SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT’; WHEN SHE SINGS IT AND PLAYS IT ON THE PIANO IN THIS BEAUTIFUL, HAUNTING WAY, YOU HEAR THE LYRICS IN A NEW LIGHT’ J U LY 2 0 1 2

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CULTURE CLASH photos courtesy Q Contemporary

O

MIGHTY

OMPH RUSLAN VASHKEVICH’S INVIGORATING IMAGINATION

BY MAHA MAJZOUB

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don’t care much for Estonia. I’m close to sure I’ll never visit that country in my lifetime. The kidnapping of the seven Estonian cyclists in Lebanon last year has further cemented my conviction that I should steer clear from Estonia in the event one of the angrier bikers decided to do unto me what my country has done unto him. And judging by the way my government deals with such situations, I think I’ll be cycling my way to the afterlife on my own.

There are several other small European nations I feel I don’t care much for either. Belarus is an example. But a recent trip to Q Contemporary gallery on Zaitunay Street left me wishing I knew Belarusian. It made me wish I was among the world’s four to ten million people who could converse with Belarusian artist Ruslan Vashkevich. I would have liked to get a firsthand taste of his fabulous facetiousness and unsweetened sarcasm. Vashkevich wasn’t physically there but his whiplash-like wit, which bordered on the absurdity, as well as his invigorating imagination jumped from the canvases that lined the walls of the fresh and edgy art space.

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A MAINSTAY IN VASHKEVICH’S OEUVRE IS THE

SHOCKINGLY UNEXPECTED

LEFT: GIRL WITH A BREAD AND CO 120 x100 cm OIL ON CANVAS 2006

This isn’t the first time the works of the 46-year-old artist travel to Q, but “New Retrospective” was his premier solo in Beirut. Syrian art collector Motaz Kabbani, who founded the traversal art gallery in 2009, is very fond of Vashkevich’s artwork, and as one skims through the pieces he chose to showcase, it is easy to understand why. “Ruslan’s work attracts people in general, not only myself,” Kabbani explains. “The artworks command the viewer to take a closer look since there is always something to discover, something much more than the expected.” Each one of Vashkevich’s pieces is intriguing, the young collector adds. “During his successful career over the years, Ruslan managed to experiment with different periods and con-

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cerns.” The exposition acted as a survey to the various styles and stages in the artist’s prolific opus.

Vashkevich has been exhibiting at home and across Europe since 1994, just two years after earning a Fine Art degree from the Belarusian Academy of Arts in Minsk. The Q collection included early hits such as “Twins”, a 120x90 cm diptych produced in 1997. The work shows almost duplicate art pieces of two boys, sitting back to back. But once the viewer takes a closer look, tiny differences emerge. “The apparent reflection is not a reflection anymore – it happens that one shoe is missing and the boys are not identical,” Kabbani points out, adding that “nothing is what it seems in Ruslan’s works.”

The premise for this project lies in a post-modern idea of “new exploitation of old things”, he goes on to say. “The topics of parity, duality, and symmetry in space and time are explored, coupled with the general symbolism of the number two.” This, he says, is why Vashkevich makes generous use of diptychs, in which various arms, feet, and hands are employed for new and unexpected meanings in the paintings.

A mainstay in Vashkevich’s oeuvre is the shockingly unexpected. “His ideas are original and reflect a wild imagination,” Kabbani remarks. Firmly asserting the collector’s claim is “No Parking”, a 2009 oil painting of a nude voluptuous woman with pink skin. The character is edged by coiled arms as fists pop out

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LEFT: STRONG WILLED GIRL 100x50 cm OIL ON CANVAS 2007

BELOW: NO PARKING 95x160 cm OIL ON CANVAS 2009

between her legs and in the center of her buttocks. Provoking thought and fantasy, the artwork is as bold as it is entertaining by an artist who generates buzz wherever he goes. Whether good or bad buzz, Vashkevich doesn’t seem to care. He just does what he wants. It is an arrangement that has worked well for him so far.

“Ruslan easily steps over any laws and traditions. He breaks the barriers,” Kabbani indicates. And as the artist himself states: “I use a picture as a traditional form to present non-traditional ideas.” Vashkevich can seriously paint, but his messages are sometimes comical or at least non-conformist. Once labeled the “The Belarusian Quentin Tarantino” for his satirical approach to his narrative subject matter, the wickedly intelligent Vashkevich attempts “to let go of fixed concepts” beyond “the safety of recognition and repetition, and opens up to new formations,” reads the exhibition statement.

The level of freedom and nonchalance exhibited in Vashkevich’s work makes one assume he was a fully self-thought artist, as many of his pieces are a reaction to established art schools and practices. But the Belarusian artist uses his artistic schooling and deep knowledge of the classics without a pinch of swaggering – he does it to entertain and to engage to viewer into rethinking classic aestheticism. Vashkevich heavily references old masters in more ways than one, only to reject them.

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“Strong Willed Girl” is a case in point, where the artist depicts a girl with a giant bow in her hair but missing an eye and nose, and with a tiny opening for a mouth. “Girl with a Bread and Co” is another example, which incorporates a greater level of grotesqueness. Vashkevich exaggeratedly distorts and plays with the faces of his six characters, all of whom appear disgruntled – one man is poking his nose and is sticking a cigarette in his eye while the only female in the sextet has her pigtail freakishly inside her mouth. The audience is at once captivated and perplexed, as Vashkevich challenges our expectations from classic portraiture. In doing so, his pieces may not appeal to everyone. He doesn’t seem to mind, as he thinks the best position an artist can adopt is in standing “in the corner against the entire world”.

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CULTURE CLASH

ABOVE: COLOR BLINDNESS ( TRIPTYCH) 120X245 cm OIL ON CANVAS 2002

Straddling the lines between traditional and conceptual art, Vashkevich communicates his ideas via expressive thinking rather than expressive painting using a simple and clear visual language, defined spatial depth, and a direct color palette.

This comes to stark relief with the monumental triptych “Color Blindness,” where each panel portrays a female protagonist in different stages of her life and during various phases of love – from being punch-drunk in love to being broken to pieces at the end of the affair.

Each cloaked in early 20th century attire, the ladies sport monochromatic tones with just dabs of bright red and green.

They appear to hail from a bygone era. This absence of colour is also part of creating a documentary-like feel, leaving one free of referring to externalities, Kabbani says. “The quiet power of the painting lies within the poetics of the psychological spaces that each figure occupies,” according to the work’s accompanying wall description. Kabbani says Vashkevich rebels against the grey-toned settings, which makes the works more visually appealing. “At the same time, the lack of color declares the extreme expressions and gestures to the clarity of Ruslan’s technical capabilities.”

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VASHKEVICH CHALLENGES OUR EXPECTATIONS FROM CLASSIC PORTRAITURE.

IN DOING SO, HIS PIECES MAY NOT APPEAL TO EVERYONE With pulsating imagination, intoxicating wit, and laudable technical prowess, Vashkevich draws us into a world that transcends the language barrier. A harbinger of a new wave in art, Vashkevich piques our interest in Belarusian art and culture www.ruslanvashkevich.com www.qcontemporary.com

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

THE LAST LUMINARY RAY BRADBURY AUGUST 22, 1920 – JUNE 5, 2012

BY J.E.N.

“ANYTHING YOU DREAM IS FICTION, AND ANYTHING YOU ACCOMPLISH IS SCIENCE, THE WHOLE HISTORY OF MANKIND IS NOTHING BUT SCIENCE FICTION.” - Ray Bradbury

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ne of the greatest figures in science fiction history passed away on the 5th of June 2012. Ray Bradbury died at the age of 91 after a long struggle with poor health. The writer’s masterful pen won him the 2000 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the 2004 National Medal of Arts, and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation “for his distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy.”

Ray Bradbury is celebrated for bringing the formerly obscure genre of science fiction into the public limelight. During his 70 year career he wrote nearly 50 books, hundreds of short stories, many poems, essays, screenplays, teleplays, plays and even operas. His literary legacy includes pivotal works like Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Dandelion Wine, and Something Wicked This Way Comes.

His works are taught at schools and he has inspired a generation of writers and thinkers around the world (his works have been translated to 36 different languages).

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THE LAST LUMINARY | RAY BRADBURY

“WE ARE AN IMPOSSIBILITY IN AN IMPOSSIBLE UNIVERSE.”- Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury’s first story appeared in a magazine called Super Science Stories when he was in his 20s. By age 30, Bradbury had already become a well known writer thanks to The Martian Chronicles (1950), a collection of interconnected stories. The book focuses in the bright side of space travel while delving into the dark social issues technology can cause. This dynamic tension between the advantages of technology and science and hell they could bring captures the spirit of the early post-atomic bomb era. People had witnessed the destructive power of science and hence Bradbury’s discussion of the place science had in society struck a chord. Despite this success, Bradbury’s readership was still reserved to the tight circle of sci-fi fans.

“THE BEST SCIENTIST IS OPEN TO EXPERIENCE AND BEGINS WITH ROMANCE - THE IDEA THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.” - Ray Bradbury

Bradbury was a self-taught man and a voracious reader. He saw himself as a graduate of “libraries”. This die-hard passion for books is evident in Fahrenheit 451 (1953) his famous dystopian novel where books are illegal and are burned. While many people think this tale is about censorship, Bradbury said he wrote it is about how television is a force that shifts the way we perceive things (instead of reading into things in depth, we see the world as little snippets of facts).

“WITHOUT LIBRARIES WHAT HAVE WE? WE HAVE NO PAST AND NO FUTURE.” - Ray Bradbury

U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute by stating Ray Bradbury: “reshaped our culture and expanded our world... [he] also understood that our imaginations could be used as a tool for better understanding, a vehicle for change, and an expression of our most cherished values. There is no doubt that Ray will continue to inspire many more generations with his writing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.” Will Bradbury continue to have an influence in the future? Let’s allow him to answer for himself: “People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is much too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the visible air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better.” (From Beyond 1984: The People Machines by Ray Bradbury)

Bradbury wanted to reach out to more people and so he turned his attention to popular mainstream magazines like The Saturday Evening Post and Mademoiselle. He noticed that regular readers didn’t appreciate technical buzz words and so he dropped them, switching to more poetic prose. This marked the most significant turning point in his career. From that point on, Bradbury became widely read and respected as part of the American literary canon.

“Science-fiction is the law-abiding citizen of imaginative literature, obeying the rules, be they physical, social, or psychological, keeping regular hours, eating punctual meals; predictable, certain, sure.” -From the introduction to The Circus of Dr. Lao, Ray Bradbury.

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SUNS+

STARS LEBANESE MAKING THEIR MARK IN ASTRONOMY

BY ALICE HLIDKOVA

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n the Chajnantor plateau of the Chilean Andes, in South America, at an altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, countless white bowls kiss the sun. An array of parabolic “dish” antennas observe the universe in unison, capturing large numbers of radio waves. The antennas aim with unique precision to detect, track and analyze data in radio frequency, and merge information at a central processor—the largest ever built. If they are perfectly synchronized, a precision much better than one millionth of a millionth of a second between equipment located kilometers apart, scientists are able to see the sky interferometrically.

The ground-based radio telescope was introduced to the world as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

In type and scope, the facility could be compared to the Very Large Array in New Mexico or the Institute of Millimetric Radio Astronomy (IRAM) in France, but with a much higher resolution. More than thirty of the sixty-six onsite antennas are able to achieve imaging in higher densities and spatial/spectral resolution. At millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths (0.3 to 9.6mm), astronomers are able to study celestial objects such as swirling gas that formed the first stars in the very early universe, billions of years ago.

Scientific observations began at the end of September, and the global scientific community raced to take part in the largest astronomical project to date. Professors and students of astronomy, and scientists from various fields of study, submitted close to a thousand proposals for the first round of observation,

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dubbed Early Science. A panel of seventy-five judges assessed applications on scientific value and technical feasibility, and selected around one hundred highpriority projects divided into four broad categories such as Stellar Evolution and Cosmology.

Projects were approved from prestigious technical universities, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, prominent research institutions, IRAM and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and world-renowned observatories, Marseilles Observatory in France and European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile. Recipients from North America (including the American space agency NASA) topped the list, followed by France and Japan. Not one recipient from Lebanon submitted a proposal, however, I had recently learned of two Lebanese astronomers that had applied with two separate, non-Lebanese institutions. Dr. Cyrine Nehme from Notre Dame University (NDU), traveled to IRAM to study planets outside of the

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‘THIS METHOD IS UNIQUE AND QUITE ACCURATE, BUT BEFORE ALMA IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT MEASUREMENT’ Solar System. The other collaborated with an American on a project proposal advised by Dr. George Helou, a member of the faculty at Caltech and Director of the NASA astronomy program Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. In the past he chaired review committees to guide progress toward ALMA observations.

Helou, who is also Lebanese, obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physics at the American University of Beirut. From early on he became interested in measuring the emission from galaxies at a wavelength of 3mm. “This method is unique and quite accurate, but before ALMA it was an extremely difficult measurement,” he writes in an email. He hopes to use the method and “compare to other estimates of star formation rate, such as infrared emission at various wavelengths.”

The idea for his colleagues is to find the best overall estimate, he enthuses, but more importantly to learn about the stars being formed. Scientists had only been able to see carbon monoxide or hydrogen cyanide forming around stars.

But with new developments in telescope technology, they are able to look into the entire chemical spectrum in all glory. They are also able to study how stars modify dust and gas environment where new ones are born. Helou and

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his colleagues look forward to ALMA’s advanced tools to research the building blocks of stars once studied by popular American astronomer Carl Edward Sagan, with whom Helou had the opportunity to work while in graduate school.

Lars Ake Nyman, heading the Department of Science Operations at ALMA, takes pleasure in learning about star formation and the circumstellar structures of evolved stars. He explains that astronomers now have the capability to explore much more. “The next generation instrument,” has the multipurpose function to study comet orbits around the sun, planet moons and recently formed galaxies, “sometime after the big bang happened.” He mentions that optimal conditions are better in the winter when low levels of humidity and dry climate allow for observers to operate the instruments more effectively (the antennas are able to withstand thunderstorms and heavy rain without any damage). “But there are still chances of snowstorms and earthquakes,” with half as much oxygen available at sea level, he remarks. Sadly, due to the harsh condition applications are not able to conduct research onsite.

In spite of that, scientists from around the world are keen on getting the rest of the facility up and running. While they anticipate the coming of next year when

ABOVE+LEFT: MAUNA KEA OBSERVATORY

the facility should be complete, an NDU instructor is concerned with contracts.

Roger Hajjar illustrates over email that ALMA was developed by the astrological collaborations of Europe, Japan and the United States. The international partnership, costing over a billion dollars, continues to be spearheaded by three major partners: ESO, National Radio Astronomy Observatory in USA, and National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Canadian, Chinese and Taiwanese institutions also important partners). “If you don’t belong to none of these partners, you practically have no right to submit an application,” unless you work with astronomers somehow affiliated with the consortium, he writes. And that becomes a challenge for Lebanese-based astronomers trying to get their foot in the door.

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Hajjar is also concerned with the available science at ALMA and how it fits with the training and topics of interest to current astronomers in Lebanon. He mentions that most lack the experience and training in radio-astronomy. Another concern is time-sharing arrangements, or the time available to use telescope data. Once accepted, applicants have ten months to log eight hundred hours, “compare to the number of hours in ten months, knowing that radio astronomy is a day-long sport!” Hajjar understands, however, that it is too soon to draw any conclusions since ALMA is still in development, commissioning and testing phase.

Hajjar argues that astronomy is on a growing curve in Lebanon. Though the number of people in the field is not yet very large, and funding is extremely scarce, students like Alain Khayat might be able to popularize the field of science, and perhaps, provide major breakthroughs

on the Lebanese front. “Astronomy was not regarded as a serious career path, at least by my family, and I assume by the society back in Lebanon,” he writes from NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility, at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, where he is designing and building instruments for ground-based telescopes, and observing planet Mars for his PhD. This opportunity came after he had completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Ecole des Hautes Etudes d’Ingénieur in France.

The young student from Lebanon will be traveling to Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). Located on the summit of Mauna Kea are world’s largest telescopes observing the sky in different wavelengths, from the submillimeter to the infrared and the optical part of the spectrum. He describes that scanning the sky from the radio to the visible part of the spectrum of light allows for an investigation into broad ranges of problems in the field of astronomy. Because ALMA is

not designed to study different regions of the spectrum of light, CSO might be at an advantage. The location also offers the “best seeing conditions,” boasts Khayat, and by 2018, the Thirty Meter Telescope will “open a bigger window on different objects in the sky.” If his claims are true, the lens for observation at Mauna Kea will be far greater than at the Chajnantor plateau, making it the true “Mecca of Astronomy.”

THE LENS FOR OBSERVATION AT MAUNA KEA WILL BE FAR GREATER THAN AT THE CHAJNANTOR PLATEAU, MAKING IT THE TRUE “MECCA OF ASTRONOMY” From conception the ALMA project is meant to address some of the deepest questions of our cosmic origins by using state-of-art technology to probe mysterious structures in space. Arguably, the most important project of our generation has teamed astronomers in unlikely pairs, working together broadly on the general development of astronomy worldwide. Their collaboration will test the various hardware components working together in extreme environment to overcome the complexity of the observatory, and of space ABOVE+LEFT: MAUNA KEA OBSERVATORY

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

LIGHTING THE WAY SMARTPHONE WARS

BY J.E.N.

T

he smartphone war is as heated as ever. The smartphone market is rapidly growing as more and more users drop regular mobile phones and switch to phones with a bundle of juicy features and super cool apps. Phone manufactures are practically at each other’s throats to get a nice big chunk of this profitable market segment. Some firms are already emerging as weaker contenders with RIM (BlackBerry) seriously struggling and Nokia trying not to sink into the abyss by placing all its bets on Windows mobile (which might or might not work). The strongest contenders are Apple with their trendy iPhone and Samsung with their sleek Galaxy series Android phones. In fact according to a new report

by ABI Research, Apple and Samsung generated around 90 percent of global smartphone profits and have 55 percent of the total worldwide smartphone marketshare.

Samsung Galaxy S3 is now on the market and looks set to attract Android lovers and tech fans, especially since it runs on Android 4.0 (lovingly known as Ice Cream Sandwich), has a powerful processor and a large vivid screen. According to CNET: “The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the Ferrari of Android phones, with a gorgeous 4.8-inch 720p resolution display, an impossibly slim and light casing and a quad-core engine that goes like stink... It’s certainly not a phone for everyone, but expect it to give the iPhone a good run for its money.” And CNET obviously thinks this is a slick phone since it earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

Ewan Spence from Forbes doesn’t think the Galaxy S3 will pose a threat to Apple’s iPhone. Why? Because Apple always has nicer design aesthetics and strong brand loyalty. Fair

enough. But the other arguments he gives fall flat. For instance he claims that Samsung offering a variety of smartphones to suit different budgets is a weak point. First off, what does this have to do with the Galaxy S3 in specific? Secondly, what’s wrong with providing people who can’t afford to spend over $600 on a phone the chance to own a smartphone?

Since the Galaxy S3 is already on the market, it is true that Apple has the chance to outdo it with their upcoming iPhone 5 (or whatever they decide to call their new phone). The internet has been on fire with rumours and supposed leaked photos of the iPhone 5. Rumours suggest that the new phone will be released in September or October. True? False?

We’ll just have to wait and see. What we do know is that it will come with Apple’s new iOS 6 and the preview of it that was presented at the WWDC conference in San Francisco impressed pundits.

The internet has also been blazing with rumours and images of a Facebook phone. It’s interesting that this is the third time such rumours surface. Nick Bilton (New York Times) had a report in May that cited sources claiming that Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, wanted to develop a phone to ensure Facebook’s future and not to just have it confined as an app on phones developed by others.

The overflowing rumour mill, constant release of new models and intense market share battle are all testament to the power of smartphones. Their influence and appeal is so potent that many claim the future of advertising is mobile advertising.

People now demand to be connected…but which smartphone manufacturers will be the ones connecting people?

THE INTERNET HAS ALSO BEEN BLAZING WITH RUMOURS AND IMAGES OF A FACEBOOK PHONE. IT’S INTERESTING THAT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SUCH RUMOURS SURFACE.

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NETWORKING Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced that its Smart LTE Networks deployment was named ‘Most Innovative LTE Commercial Launch’ at this year’s LTE Awards, part of the annual LTE World Summit in Barcelona. The deployment, which was launched in Seoul earlier this year, ensures high-quality 4G coverage for KT customers over a geographical area of 605km2 with a total population of 10.4 million. “We are honoured and delighted to receive this prestigious award, that demonstrates our

commitment to bringing great innovation and efficiency to carrier customers across our LTE portfolio,” said Youngky Kim, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Telecommunication Systems Business of Samsung Electronics. Samsung’s Smart LTE Networks is the first solution of its kind that applies cloud computing principles to enable management of network conditions out of a centralized controller, allowing operators to more effectively allocate radio resovurces and benefit from network

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced the official launch of the third generation GALAXY S, the GALAXY SIII for the MENA region in an event hosted in Dubai. The enhanced intelligence of this smartphone makes everyday life easier. With Samsung GALAXY S III, you can view the content like never before on the device’s 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display. An 8MP camera and a 1.9MP front camera offer users a variety of intelligent camera features and face recognition related options that ensure all moments are captured easily and instantly.

Samsung GALAXY S III is powered by An-

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scalability and capacity. Samsung Smart LTE Networks is designed to maximize the utilization of networks through specialized resource allocation technology. It is specifically designed to handle tremendous mobile data traffic conditions such as highdensity metropolitan areas faced by the operator in Seoul. Samsung’s LTE efforts are backed by over 30 years of Samsung’s experience and leadership in developing and commercializing some of the world’s most popular communication services. Based on its wide range of field-experience in OFDMA technology, Samsung has already successfully partnered with dozens of mobile service providers to help them implement the most advanced 4G solutions including Sprint and MetroPCS in the US, KDDI in Japan and SK telecom in South Korea and Mobily in Saudi Arabia.

droid™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, with greatly enhanced usability and practicality to make life easier. Packed with intuitive technology, the GALAXY S III delivers a uniquely personalized mobile experience that refuses to be compromised. “The GALAXY S III integrates an organic design and superior hardware that embraces human capabilities and the users’ needs,” said Mr. Kyungtae Bae, President of Samsung Middle East and North Africa. “This device enables one of the most seamless, natural and human-centric mobile experiences that consequently makes communication more natural.”

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COME TO PAPA The Mercedes-Benz SL 350, launched in 2012 can now be found exclusively at T. Gargour & Fils showrooms. The “SL” model, short for “Super Light”, combines stylish charm with ultimate comfort, thanks to its spacious body inspired by the S class model, but with a sportier and more modern AMG look. The new SL has been produced for the first time almost entirely from aluminium and weighs up to 140 kilograms less than its predecessor. The SL 350 boasts state-of-the-art futuristic design elements such as a panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL and an awe-inspiring FrontBass sound engineering system, resulting in nothing short of a masterpiece. The frame of the roof has been made of magnesium, making the roof around 6 kilograms lighter than the roof on the predecessor, thus providing better agility. For convenience while driving, the SL has also been fitted with Active Parking Assist which uses ultrasound sensors to identify parking spaces and automatically steers the vehicle into the space while parking. The HANDS-FREE ACCESS system is another Mercedes-Benz innovation which allows drivers to operate the boot lid without using their keys or hands. Commenting on the SL 350, Mr. Cesar Aoun, General Manager of MercedesBenz at T. Gargour & Fils said, “In the twenty first century, the SL 350 is THE choice of vehicle as it encompasses a comfortable interior and perfectly-engineered modern exterior in addition to incomparable state-of-the-art features. All this combined with the utmost safety standards that have been renowned with Mercedes-Benz’s heritage makes the SL 350 a force to be reckoned with.”

GOLDEN ACCOLADE Le Gray’s Concierge Firas Musharafieh is now a member of Les Clefs d’Or, the prestigious association that recognizes hotel concierges based on the quality of their service, their commitment and the passion that motivates them.

Firas has been part of Le Gray’s preopening team before being promoted to Head Concierge. He has since his appointment been characterized by his genuine desire and willingness to serve. Having his pulse on the city, he has been able to give the perfect advice and has always secured the best reservations at the top and leading ven-

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ues and events. His recommendations made him a reference that Le Gray guests would pass on to any traveller visiting Beirut. Gordon Campbell Gray, chairman of CampbellGray Hotels has personally recognized this achievement as an important element that enhances the guests’ experience: “I am absolutely delighted that our Head Concierge Firas Musharafieh has been admitted to the Clefs d’Or. This is the highest of accolades in a department which can so greatly influence the guest’s stay and make such a difference to their experience”, he said.

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HISTORIC HIGHLIGHT At Byblos Bank Headquarters situated in Achrafieh, Beirut on June 18th, 2012, an induction ceremony was held for one of Lebanon’s foremost cultural ambassadors, Mr. Amin Maalouf. Mr. Maalouf brought great pride to both Lebanon and the Lebanese when he was inducted into the Académie Française, thereby joining a list of great writers, thinkers, and philosophers who stood behind the glory of this grand cultural edifice since its establishment in 1635. Realizing the unique significance of this occasion for the cultural history of Lebanon, Byblos Bank contributed to covering the expenses of the ceremony, which attracted the cultural elite of the Francophone world. As the tradition goes at the Academy, the writer’s friends handle all the aspects of the ceremony and its expenses, including the traditional green attire and the sword to which Amin Maalouf added the Lebanese cedar tree.

Byblos Bank was represented at the ceremony

by Baron Guy Quaden, the Honorary Governor of the National Bank of Belgium and member of the Board of Directors of both Byblos Bank and Byblos Bank Europe, Mr. Fouad Trad, CEO of Byblos Bank Europe, and Mr. Claude Jeanbart, Manager of Byblos Bank branch in Paris.

THE BRITISH ARE COMING! Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, ABC, the leading retailer in Lebanon, announced today in partnership with the British Embassy in Lebanon the beginning of ‘The Great British Week’ celebrations in its Achrafieh and Dbayeh locations. The campaign was launched in a press conference at ABC Achrafieh in presence of ABC Chairman Robert Fadel, the Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud and the British Ambassador to Lebanon H.E. Tom Fletcher. As part of their encouragement to cross-culturalism, ABC hosted ‘The Great British Week’ from June 12 to June 19, organizing over fifty British-themed activities and events that encouraged all customers to get involved in the British cultural, educational, fashion and culinary spirit.

The ‘GREAT’ campaign is a global campaign launched in 2011 by British Prime Minister David Cameron. The UK recently celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and will host the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The British Embassy, in partnership with ABC and generous sponsors (among them Averda and Land Rover), invited Lebanon to take a fresh look at everything that Britain has to offer. The GREAT British Week in Lebanon was the biggest celebration of Great Britain in the MENA region this year.

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“We are proud to be promoting Great Britain in ABC,” said Robert Fadel, Chairman of ABC. “Leader in the Lebanese market, ABC has been promoting a cosmopolitan society since its establishment 75 years ago.

Through this campaign, we wanted to offer our customers great cultural and inspiring experiences during their shopping, our way to confirm our commitment towards the education of the families who visit ABC,” he explained. British Ambassador Tom Fletcher said, “We’re here to launch GREAT week, in one of the world’s greatest cities. For the days ahead, we’re bringing London – the city

of the Olympics, of the Queen’s 60th Jubilee – to the heart of Beirut. This week will show you the best of modern Britain – our businesses, design, arts, education, sport and heritage. It will also show Britain the new Lebanon – a place of stunning beauty, of great resilience, of talent and ingenuity. A unique country that links three continents, with an extraordinary history, and with an extraordinary future.” The Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud congratulated the British Embassy on the GREAT campaign, and the management of ABC on their continuous contribution to Lebanese tourism.

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LIFE IS GRAND Selim Ramia & Co announced the launch of the highly anticipated Grand Cinemas multiplex at ABC Mall Dbayeh, the country’s most luxurious shopping destination.

Grand Cinemas ABC Dbayeh opened its doors in June 2012. The inauguration will mark the fifth Grand Cinemas location to open in Lebanon in less than five years, following the brand’s unprecedented nationwide success at Grand ABC (Achrafieh), Grand Concorde-Verdun, Grand Las Salinas-Enfeh and Grand Saida Mall. Home to eight state-of-the-art theatres, Grand Cinemas ABC Mall Dbayeh also boasts a Grand Class hall, in effect the country’s very first VIP theatre. All screens are uniquely equipped with the latest digital technology including 4K projectors capable of a whop-

ping 8 million megapixels, with a total capacity surpassing 1,100 deluxe seats. “Our new multiplex at ABC Mall Dbayeh is the jewel in the Grand Cinemas crown,” says CEO Selim Ramia. “Lebanese moviegoers have been overwhelmingly vocal in their appreciation for the entertainment standards we bring them, and we’re happy to continue providing the best the industry has to offer.”

GOLD LABEL RESERVE®. This bold, fullflavored blend reflects both the Speyside and Highland styles, with notes of island smokiness. Its sweet fruits and creaminess evolves into deeper honeyed tones before finishing in lingering waves of wood, fruit and light, sweet West-coast smoke.

The JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE® is the ultimate spirit for celebratory occasions, when ordinary liquors simply fall short. Rudy Paoli, Managing Director of DIAGEO Global Reserve explains, “Together, the PLATINUM LABEL 18 year old® and GOLD LABEL RESERVE® from

JOHNNIE WALKER® represent the ultimate in unique, handcrafted blends. They epitomize the whisky that successful individuals choose to satisfy their astute tastes.

These are spirits that reward the most discerning of drinkers: bold and mold-breaking, and destined for legendary status.” JOHNNIE WALKER® is a heritage brand, steeped in a history of quality and craft. These new, modern spirits reflect the distillery’s long years of continuing innovation and its bold steps into the future of distilling. Customers the world over can savor the results. Drink Responsibly | DrinkIQ.com

To kick off celebrations, Grand Cinemas ABC Dbayeh has been scheduled for the year’s biggest titles, a list topped by Taken 2; the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall; The Hobbit; and the Hollywood, Arabic and 3D exclusives that patrons have come to expect from the largest chain of theatres in the Middle East.

THE GOLD STANDARD JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL 18 year old® and JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE®, launching for the very first time in Lebanon, are the famed distillery’s spirits from the new global range, destined for gracious celebrations where the good life is lived. Thus, these new whiskies reflect the vanguard of consumer demand.

These two labels reflect the unmatched expertise of master distilling, earned by the Walker family’s deep dedication to the art of “private blends”. The two whiskies share the concentration, refinement and subtle shading of flavours that give premium spirits their allure, but each whisky bears distinct characteristics. The JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL 18 year old® blend is a meld of single-malt and grain whiskies, each slumbering in wood for a minimum of 18 years. The JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE® is the superlative handiwork of Master Blender Jim Beveridge, who wove a spell of selected whisky reserves into a luxuriant delight. The Reserve’s origins are esteemed: they include handpicked measures from casks of Clynelish Malt Whisky, whose water source flows from the Kildonan Hills, where gold was discovered in 1868.

Liquid gold has never found a finer expression than that of the JOHNNIE WALKER®

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ELECTRIC AVENUE Nissan announced that a 100 percent electric compact van, the e-NV200, will go into production in Europe during the 2013 Financial Year.

The new model will be based on the award-winning NV200 and will be an important and innovative addition to Nissan’s global range of light commercial vehicles (LCV’s). e-NV200 will become Nissan’s second all-electric vehicle (EV) following the launch of the multi-award winning Nissan LEAF in 2010, underlining Nissan’s long-term commitment to zero emission mobility. The new model, which represents €100 million investment by Nissan in Spain, is expected to create around 700 new jobs at the plant and throughout its local supplier base. e-NV200 will provide both businesses and families with functional and roomy interior space and will retain the host of innovative and practical features of the current NV200 line up combined with the most advanced powertrain components of the Nissan LEAF. Andy Palmer, Nissan Executive Vice President, said: “e-NV200 represents a genuine breakthrough in commercial vehicles and further underlines Nissan’s leadership within the electric vehicle segment.”

SUMMER SPLASH Have you ever over packed your bags for the holidays because you just couldn’t decide on what to leave behind? With Salsa this summer, packing and heavy luggage is no longer a concern! Salsa has reinvented the versatile Top FEEL for the summer season. With just one item in hand, the transformable top, you’ve already packed several outfits for the holidays. The FEEL top can be adjusted and worn as a Top, a Dress, a T-shirt, or a Skirt, and is available in green, black, red, pink, or

blue In addition to that, every look can be transformed and adapted to an endless variety of fits. Its top quality design and raw materials have allowed Salsa to achieve a top that is extra resistant, elastic and doesn’t wrinkle.

SALSA FEEL SUMMER EDITION becomes a must-have for the holidays and an essential item to have in every woman’s suitcase this summer. From June in all Salsa points of sale.

TIME IT RIGHT Perfect Timing offers you a FREE pair of Sunglasses with your SMALTO Watch purchase. This season, an outstanding SMALTO timepieces summer 2012 collection is just launched by the sole agent in Lebanon: Perfect Timing. A wide variety of classy, elegant and modern Swiss Made watches for ladies and gents. Leather or stainless steel, white gold or rose gold, different models, colours and shapes to satisfy all tastes. This July, Perfect Timing is pleased to announce an exclusive Smalto Launch offer: A free pair of Sunglasses with your Smalto Watch purchase. This offer is available at all Smalto Timepieces points of Sales and Perfect Timing CityMall.

For more information +961872354

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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Ramachka Fashion House staged a gala dinner at Beirut’s Mövenpick Hotel to debut their latest SS2012 Haute Couture collection “The Key of Light”. The evening consisted of different live entertainment shows that delighted the guests as they dined, with the best part of the evening being an exceptional catwalk show. The runway segment showcased The Key of Light collection; delicate fabrics in pastels and bold colours enriched with intricate embroidery, beading and sequins. The unique selection of off the shoulder, scoop neck and revealing necklines, and the variety in cuts from fitting to draped and flowing, to the 50s short mini dress, intermingled with rich fabrics and fresh design ethos of The Key of Light collection. Ten wedding gowns followed the eveningwear. This event brought together the elite of Lebanon and The Middle East in the fashion industry, media, and business. Notably, Ms. Mona Abou Hamzeh who was present remarked that she was,

“[…] was very impressed with this new fashion house and its positive economic influence on Lebanon as a whole.” Ramachka is a rising fashion house that has been taking the Middle East scene by storm. Beginning with locations in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and currently branching out across the Middle East, Ramachka gives clientele luxury, quality and exquisite creativity.

LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS Graff Diamonds has announced that its renowned Lotus Collection, which features designs inspired by the graceful petals of the lotus flower, is now available in the United Arab Emirates. The collection is available in white diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire. The Lotus Collection features exquisite necklaces and earrings available in two sizes, each one hand set by Graff’s mastercraftsmen with a dazzling array of diamonds, emeralds, sapphires or rubies, linked together by invisible platinum wires creating a calming and graceful waterfall-like effect.

With perfectly cut pear shape, round and marquise stone drops evoking the petals of the beautiful lotus flower, the Lotus Collection radiates a tranquil and ethereal beauty, with every stone set to catch the light and J U LY 2 0 1 2

sparkle with every movement of the wearer.

Graff jewellery is made by hand in the company’s London workshops. The celebrated jeweller specializes in crafting jewellery comprising diamonds and gems of unparalleled rarity, worn by royalty and celebrities around the world. Graff currently has more than 30 stores around the world, including New York, Monte Carlo, Courchevel, Kiev, Beijing, and Taipei. Within the UAE, Graff stores are currently located in Dubai Mall and now at the Burj Al Arab. Graff partners with Damas in Dubai. In addition to Graff, Damas is also the retailer for a number of other international luxury jewellery and watch brands.

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Ai Se Eu Te Pego RAGMAG BEACH BESTS Get these tried and true products for your best summer beaching experience. We encourage healthy beaching and that means sunscreen. If you sometimes succumb to the need to get that bronze glow (like we do), we suggest tanning with the products we’re highlighting- they’re the most bang for your buck. Remember, UVA (Alpha rays) lead to aging and UVB (Beta rays) mean burning! There is also the added concern of long UVA rays that most products don’t protect against. This means hats and sunshades- and yes, the sun’s rays do penetrate clouds and even windows. If you’re hitting the pool, you must reapply your sunscreen afterward.

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the matte

COMPLEXION CLINIQUE’S STAY MATTE KEEPS YOU FRESH + FLAWLESS

If you’re used to blotting away the unsightly sheen of an oily complexion or you’re a normal to combination skin that needs a more mattified look in summer, you’re going to head for your nearest Clinique counter. The Stay Matte range offers you a choice of oil-free liquid foundation and sheer pressed powder. Now pay attention: sheer pressed powder and powder foundation are not the same thing! Clinique’s Sheer Pressed-Powder can be used on top of the liquid foundation to set your makeup and also to help control any extra oil throughout the day.

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YES, IT CAN GET even better

CLINIQUE EXPANDS THEIR “EVEN BETTER” RANGE FOR EXEMPLARY COVERAGE!

The newly launched Even Better Concealer is meant to camouflage dark spots (hello sun damage and pigmentation deposits) and cover under eye circles. The newest edition in the range follows the launch of Even Better Makeup SPF 15, a liquid foundation that provides excellent coverage without feeling heavy. There are two suggested methods of application for

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concealer: you can use a concealer brush or you can tap lightly with you finger (do not use your ring finger as this is too much pressure). Even Better concealer comes in 12 shades and best of all, it’s fragrance-free. The product is also water, sweat and humidity resistant, and doesn’t smudge or streak leaving skin with a natural finish.

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FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU

MAKE IT GUERLAIN’S BEAUTIFUL BRONZES

We’re guilty! We admit that every year we wait for Guerlain’s annual Terracotta bronzer collection.

They’re going to blow you away with this year’s selection. For those of you new to Guerlain, they pair their bronze collection with limited edition glosses each year, giving you more reason to head out and get it before it’s gone! This year’s concept is “Sun in the City”, based on the principal that you don’t need to sunbathe to get that sunkissed look.

The absolute best feature of this range? It’s meant for easy matching to your skin tone. Terracotta Light, formerly available in “Blondes 02” (pink accents and soft tanned tones) and “Brunettes 03” (coral touches and warm shades) is now offering two new harmonies for 2012: “Sun Blondes 04” and “Sun Brunettes 05”, in brighter coral and pink colours, with heightened bronzed shades, and also richer in iridescent particles.

TERRACOTTA BRUSH RETRACTABLE BRONZING POWDER BRUSH Pros in the cosmetic industry swear by this retracable brush made available each year by Guerlain. It encourages even distribution and the density allows for great colour deposits.

Best feature? You can add powder to the brush, retract it, and head out- this allows for touch ups without carrying both the bronzer and brush. You’re good to go!

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FASHION

FIXATION GUERLAIN + PUCCI

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

RIHANNA IN PUCCI

If you know your fashion, then you know Pucci. They psychedelic brand has partnered with Guerlain to create a limited edition collection that every cosmetic aficionado will want to call their own! These limited edition pieces incorporate the ideals of Guerlain: top notch quality and ingenuity. Our top picks from this must have collection? The nail lacquer in shades of Pucci perfection: Vernis Paradiso and Vernis Riviera. The Porto Azzura gloss in blue has the illuminating effect of making your pearly brights look even whiter. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it! See you at the beach with our even complexion due to the famous Guerlain Meteoritesthis time in limited edition Pucci!

MILEY CYRUS IN PUCCI

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PENELOPE CRUZ IN PUCCI

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MEN the SMOOTHEST SHAVE around IS A REALITY L’OCCITANE BRINGS YOU THE CADE SELECTION

Who’s got a 5 o’clock shadow? Is it because you’re sick of razor burn and shaving irritation so you’re opting for the scruffier look?

Your problems are now solved and you can crack out the shaving kit again, but with a few new additions. Cade essential oil, also known as Wild Juniper, figures heavily in L’Occitane’s Cade range with a slew of products to choose from: Shaving Oil, Shaving Soap, Shaving Gel, Shaving Cream and finally, After-Shave Balm.

In a few steps, we’re going to tell you how to avoid nics, cuts and everything in between.

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1

Coarser stubble (a Mediterranean hair quality) requires pre-shave treatment.

A slight amount of Cade Shaving Oil all over the shaving area will do wonders for your shaving experience. Apply it by pressing it into the shaving area with your hands. Wait a minute or so, then begin with step 2.

2 WIN THIS

3 lucky RAGMAG readers will be taking home a selection of men’s products from the L’Occitane Cade lineup. We don’t just mean 1 product, we mean the whole shebang! Gents, this contest is for you but ladies you are welcome to play for the men in your life.

HOW DO YOU WIN? You’re going to email the phrase, “L’Occitane, hook me up with the Cade range because I NEED A GOOD SHAVE!” to letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com To account for delivery discrepancies in Lebanon, we will choose 3 winners randomly from all of the emails we receive.

Emailing first does not mean you will win, it is the luck of the draw! Fair play, RAGMAG readers.

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Choose your preferred shave product. The Cade range offers you 3 textures: traditionalists will appreciate the Cade Shaving Soap, while normal to combination skins should choose the Cade Shaving Gel, and a drier skin should opt for the Cade Shaving Cream.

Apply and shave!

3

Finish with a smooth application of Cade After-Shave Balm. A dime to quarter sized amount should be enough for your entire shaving area. It has the added benefits of hydration and soothing properties with a fluid, non-greasy texture.

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GRANDSTANDING RAINBOWS + H2O GRAND HILLS SPA HYDRO-MASSAGE SHINES BRIGHTER THAN THE REST

BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

W

hen I first chose the Grand Hills Hotel and Spa, located in the mountain village of Broummana, I didn’t expect both the hotel and the location to be part of the relaxing treatment. Built as a pedestrian village, the hotel features (apart from the accommodation) a gym, a spa, restaurants, bars and a shopping center. With the old stones, the archways, the quietude and the Guinness World Records certified largest hotel suite in the world, the Grand Hills caters to royalty.

I enter the Spa with this frame of mind. Simply decorated and very quiet, the Spa occupies several floors, each dedicated to different categories of treatment. Basing most of their treatments on ancient Chinese energy medicine, the Grand Hills Spa also offers balneotherapy, or water-based treatments which I chose to try.

Upon entering the balneotherapy floor, I am taken to the changing rooms to put my swimsuit on. Fadi, my therapist, shows me around and explains what my hydro-massage

is going to be like. I enter my treatment room, where a sophisticated bathtub sits.

It contains a multitude of “holes” and I can already feel them releasing strong water jets. It is connected to a function screen for controlling the power of these jets, their frequency, and most importantly the colour change.

Fadi explains that the treatment has two functions: the first is very similar to acupuncture in that the water jets are directed towards specific body parts which correspond to pressure points. The water jets are not as precise as the needles used in acupuncture, but they do help liberate blood flow and equally restore the energy within the body. The second function is a healing process, us-

THE WATER JETS ARE NOT AS PRECISE AS THE NEEDLES USED IN ACUPUNCTURE, BUT THEY DO HELP LIBERATE BLOOD FLOW AND EQUALLY RESTORE THE ENERGY WITHIN THE BODY

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PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

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MIRROR MIRROR ing chromatherapy, or colour therapy.

The tub is lined with a few embedded lights that alternate the seven rainbow spectrum during the 20 minutes of the treatment. Each colour corresponds to one of the seven chakras, the body’s life force centers. By putting my body in touch with these colours, the treatment balances the energy in my body on physical, spiritual and mental levels. It also preps my body for the Lumi Lumi massage I am getting after the balneotherapy.

Filling the tub with warm water, Fadi

asks me to step in and he turns off the lights leaving the three floor candles lit. I’m left in the dark with only candlelight for the best bath I’ve ever taken. Using arm and leg support to keep these body parts in place during the treatment, I slowly relax while the water jets begin pulsing. At first, they all start together and I can feel the water pressure on my whole body, from my neck to my ankles. Two minutes later, all of them are turned off, except the ones aiming at my neck and back.

Then it’s my lower back and hips that receive the swoosh of the jets, and after that, my feet. During the 20 minutes of the treatment, the water jets alternate between the different parts, but I quickly lose count of the turns,

slowly sinking into a relaxing state of inertia. The pressure of the water jets is actually equal to a massage: they are a bit unpleasant at the very beginning (for just a few seconds), especially if the body part they’re targeting is a “problematic” one. Soon, you begin feeling the relief it provides.

After my balneotherapy treatment, Fadi asks me to take a quick shower and rinse off the foam, before I head to the candlelit Lumi Lumi massage room. There, he massages my back body to spot my blocked Chakras, before asking me to turn around in order to release them. After an hour and 30 minutes of treatment, I leave the Grand Hills Spa… liberated!

FILLING THE TUB WITH WARM WATER, FADI ASKS ME TO STEP IN AND HE TURNS OFF THE LIGHTS LEAVING THE THREE FLOOR CANDLES LIT. I’M LEFT IN THE DARK WITH ONLY CANDLELIGHT FOR THE BEST BATH I’VE EVER TAKEN RAVES AT THE GRAND HILLS SPA • Professionalism The therapists know what they’re doing and they execute the treatments according to each person’s body and specific needs.

• Tranquility This is a Grand Hills Hotel characteristic. Wherever you are in the hotel and in the Spa, no noise disturbs your relaxation. The staff members whisper their directions and questions, and the car entrance is so far from the Spa that you can’t even hear them passing.

RAGMAG’s Top Treatments • Lumi Lumi Massage Using both the hands and the forearms, this treatment requires you to let go of all the negative thoughts you might have while your therapist focuses on your blocked chakras to release them.

• Wrapping on Hot Table Body Treatments Therapists wrap your body with warm mud from the Dead Sea, Algae from the Atlantic Ocean and essential oils depending on the desired effect.

• Facial Care Treatments Ranging from deepcleansing to herbal masks, to mesotherapy and anti-wrinkle treatments.

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Grand Hills Hotel and Spa Broummana Main Road, Metn 04868888 THE SHINING info@grandhillsvillage.com www.grandhillsvillage.com

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES

A MOUNTAIN TRAIL OFFERS HIKERS AN INSIGHT INTO AKKAR’S INCREDIBLE RURAL LIFE, FROM GREEN VALLEYS, WATERFALLS, ON LEBANON’S BACKCOUNTRY ROCKY PINNACLES TO

BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES WELCOMING FOLK

T

he wake up call was really early, well before dawn actually, and it did not come in the form of shining rays of sunlight but rather bizarrely in the form of squirrels, squabbling loudly on an oak tree outside our lodging in Tashea, Akkar, North Lebanon. Abou Marwan Abdel Aziz, our 72 year-old host was already wide awake and offered me a cup of coffee. I spent the next half hour with him discussing rural life, cheese-making, and his seven children.

Marwan tells me that he opens the doors of his home to us and other hikers to provide him with some income. Plus, he says with a grin, it offers a nice break to his every day routine. After a hearty breakfast of omelet, tomatoes, and homemade cheese - a specialty of his wife Samira - we set off on our trek to Qobayat. It was the final day of the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) Thru Walk.

This April, the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) organized their 4th annual Thru-Walk, from Marjayoun to Qobayat. On the first of April, a core team of 5 hikers set off to spend twenty-nine days trekking across Lebanon, covering an average of 18 km a day. Many other hikers (like myself) joined them for three to ten days of trekking along the way. “The trail has the potential to attract hikers from all

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over the world,” says Rachel Man, Swiss mountain leader who came to Lebanon to trek for 8 days. “Culture, gastronomy, history, all are intertwined in the experience of the LMT. As we hike and sleep over with local families we are immersed in the rural community in Lebanon.”

We left Tashea walking out of the village behind Christian Akrass, our tour leader and field coordinator of the LMTA. He had arranged for a local guide to accompany us as part of the LMTA’s aim to bring employment to the mountain villages. Two guides, Ziad Fares and George Karam, join us to lead the way to their hometown of Qobayat. After a steep accent we feel far removed from the rest of the world. We spot a few farmers tending to vegetable patches and a shepherd watching his herd. The hills are a stunning sight blanketed in juniper trees, the peaks still covered with patches of snow. The shepherd, leaning on his stick,

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AFTER A FEW HOURS HIKING WINDING TRACKS, BRUSHING ROUGH BRANCHES OUT OF THE WAY WHILE PASSING THROUGH PINE AND FIR FORESTS, WE TREAD A SOFT GRASSY PLAIN STRETCHED OUT BELOW THE HILL

greets us and asks skeptically, “Why are you walking, don’t you have cars?”

Ziad jokes, “Well, we can’t afford the petrol.” For many folk living in rural Lebanon, where donkeys are still used as a form of transport, the concept of trekking for pleasure is unheard of.

After a few hours hiking winding tracks, brushing rough branches out of the way while passing through pine and fir forests, we tread a soft grassy plain stretched out below the hill. Despite trekking for around sixty kilometers the last three days I felt fully energized from the stunning sights along the way. But, I was also tired enough to know I’d seriously stretched my legs

and was glad when Christian called for a break under the welcome shade of a huge oak tree. We were a mixed bunch of hikers, of different nationalities, professions, and confessions, but here, in the mountains we all bonded because of our common love of nature.

For the last month, we experienced shining rays of sun, almost nonstop, but, as we continued our trek downhill towards Qobayat it began to drizzle.

Awaiting us was a celebratory lunch during which we were joined by a unit of the Lebanese Army Mountain Regiment who accompanied the core Thru Walkers for a month. “Our pres-

ence will show hikers from all over the world that it is safe to hike in Lebanon,” said Lieutenant Tanios Gerges, Lebanese Army.

And, it is possible to hike the trails at any age. Maha Khatib, a 65 year-old Lebanese financial manager from Tripoli, spent the whole month of April walking the hundreds of kilometers of the trail. “I want to do it all over again,” she said. Paul Khawaja, Head of Mission, British Embassy, who is also vice-president of the LMTA, told hikers on the last day, “Your support gives hope to Lebanon’s mountain community. And, when man and mountain meet they do great things.”

Lebanon’s Akkar region is prime territory featuring wide expanses of incredible natural resources. The surrounding forests are the largest in Lebanon and it is estimated that around 40 tree varieties exist here. The region is renowned for its vast agricultural areas and local farmers cultivate olive groves and fruit. The region has been inhabited as far back as 3,000BC and artifacts dating back to Phoenician, Greek and Roman eras have been discovered here. Caravans passed through this region and the region was a trading route on the Silk Road.

The Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) is a 440 km hiking trail extending from Qobayat in the north of Lebanon to Marjayoun in the south, passing through seventy-five towns and villages, several nature reserves, as well as a World Heritage Site (the Qadisha Valley), numerous Medieval and Ottoman castles, Roman temples and Byzantine churches.

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

RAY

HOPE

OF

BY MATTHEW HUSSEY

SELF-HELP IS ALWAYS TEACHING US HOW WE CAN BENEFIT OUR OWN LIVES, YET IT RARELY ADDRESSES THE QUESTION OF HOW WE CAN BRING THE PEOPLE WE LOVE ALONG WITH US.

A

t the end of my seminars I’m frequently asked the same question.

Usually a polite audience member will say, “Matt, I feel like I have everything I need to change my own life, but I really want influence the people around me. How do I make them as positive as I am?” This question appeals to a hope that many of us share. Self-help is always teaching us how we can benefit our own lives, yet it rarely addresses the question of how we can bring the people we love along with us. But is it possible to influence other the behaviour of the people we love? Should we want to?

The way I see it, the world can be a tough, nasty place if we put ourselves in isolation. We should always want the best for the people closest to us. But that being said, trying to control other people’s behaviour is a losing battle. What we want is not to control, but to influence, and this requires a much more empowering mindset.

Influence doesn’t begin by turning all of our

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criticism and attention on others. It begins by looking at all of our most cherished relationships and asking a single question: Do I add value to the people around me or do I take it?

RECIPROCITY GIVE FIRST, EXPECT SECOND Truly inspiring people are natural valuegivers. Sure, they might eventually receive a lot of attention and admiration from others because of their magnetic personality, but this is only because they give first, and expect second.

Think about the most charismatic person you know. Do they enter a room, lean against a wall with a bored look on their face and wait with their arms folded until someone comes approaches them? Of course not. The people who infuse us with positivity are those who come in and add value to our conversa-

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tions. They make people in the room feel good about themselves, they pay us personal attention, show a genuine interest in who we are, entertain us and make us laugh and appeal to our passions.

Inspiring those around us has to come from an attitude of giving. It’s not a hunt for glory. It’s about genuinely wanting the best for those around us, and bringing value to every conversation.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE DOING RIGHT, INSTEAD OF CRITICIZING Too many of us attempt to influence others by criticizing them. But criticism just invites conflict, because the recipients feel like their entire personality is under attack. There is a better way, based on a well-known psychological principle: give others the identity you want them to have. Put simply, this means we reward people for the behaviour we like, even when they get things just the tiniest bit right. For example, if you want your spouse to be more open

and honest with you about their feelings, wait until the next time they are even a tiny bit open about their emotions and say, “I love that we have a relationship where we can just tell each other exactly how we feel. It makes me feel so safe knowing that we can talk about anything.” Or if you want them to be more kind and giving, reward them heavily when they show acts of generosity. You can kiss them and say, “You’re so considerate. I love that about you.”

Now they have an identity to live up to.

Once people know the traits you love about them, they will fight hard to bring those traits out even more.

MODEL BEHAVIOR BE THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS People become cynical in life because they are continuously disappointed by others around them. They see broken promises, people who talk about big ideas and never follow through, and others who peddle out advice but never stick to their principles.

Now, I’m not asking you to promise the world to anyone. Over-promising is a sure-fire way to disappointment. But if you say you’re going to do something, or you share your dream with someone, don’t let them down.

People who deliver on their promises inspire hope in others. They show others what is possible, instead of joining the huge club of people who makes excuses about why they didn’t have the right breaks, the right opportunities, the right education, the right parents, and all those other little excuses for why we never follow through.

We have to be the example in our own lives. When we do this, we stand out to others as a shining beacon of what is possible. High standards are like a lantern in a dark cave; our job isn’t to blind others by waving it in their face. We just hold it up as a light for them to follow For more resources to move you forward in your life visit www.matthewhussey.com

HIGH STANDARDS ARE LIKE A LANTERN IN A DARK CAVE; OUR JOB ISN’T TO BLIND OTHERS BY WAVING IT IN THEIR FACE. WE JUST HOLD IT UP AS A LIGHT FOR THEM TO FOLLOW. RAGMAG brings you the best in selfimprovement. Matthew Hussey is one of the leading talents in behavioral change and success. As a Life Strategist he has founded two coaching companies working with thousands of individuals across the globe to show them ways of making dramatic shifts in their lives. Matthew’s success has been built on finding out what people want, and showing them how to make it happen in the shortest time possible. He is currently a weekly columnist for Now magazine, providing expert advice on dating and relationship issues for female readers. In addition, his coaching has been featured in the Lon-

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don Metro, Evening Standard, The Sun, The Independent, Men’s Health, Glamour magazine, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazine. A highly sought after public speaker and executive coach, Matthew has consulted companies including Accenture, Virgin, Morgan Stanley, Weil & Gotshal, and CB Richard Ellizs, as well as over 5000 individuals and organizations ranging from directors of FTSE 100 Companies, Universities, international investment funds, artists, and royalty.

For more information on Matthew Hussey´s worldwide coaching programmes visit www.matthewhussey.com

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

help me

NOUR+RABIH

BY NOUR OBAJI + RABIH FEGHALI

This month, Nour and Rabih have decided to do things a bit differently. Since so many of our readers write in about dating problems and why he or she “didn’t call after the first date”, Nour and Rabih have decided to make you guys a list. What you did on your first date that made sure it didn’t lead to a second. Just for fun, peeps! XOXOX, Nour + Rabih

NOUR’S LIST OF FIRST DATE FAUX PAS The ten ways you made sure that this first date would not lead to a second!

1. When I told you I couldn’t drive due to my car being repaired, you didn’t offer to pick me up and suggested instead that I meet you at the restaurant.

2. You talked about yourself. I mean you talked nonstop. The whole night. About yourself. Literally.

3. You served yourself first. I would have served you! But your manners (or lack thereof) were so bad that you nearly knocked the waiter over to get to the fresh bread.

4. You ordered before me although the waiter addressed me first. Bad form all around.

5. You commented about my smoking three times. I know smoking is bad for me and I know it causes cancer. I am fully aware that it smells bad and if you don’t like it, you don’t need to ask me out. My bad habits are my bad habits.

6. You didn’t ask to be excused when you answered 4 phone calls. 4! All you need to say is, “I’m sorry this is work and I need to take this call.” That’s understandable. Instead, you picked up the phone and began barking into it while I was finishing my sentence!

7. You didn’t offer me dessert or coffee after dinner. I wouldn’t have ordered them, but at least ask me if I would like any before telling the waiter “we” weren’t interested. See number 8 .

8. There is no “we”. “We” don’t answer questions for one another. “We” don’t exist. “We” shouldn’t be used at all before “we” are planning marriage and certainly not on our first (and last) date.

9. You offered to drive me home like this: “If you want I can drive you.” Then you added, “I don’t mind,” in a voice that suggests you definitely do mind and are about to do me a huge favor.

10. You asked me to take your picture during our “date” then you changed your BlackBerry profile picture while we were eating. You cannot get lamer than this.

All that being said, if I really do like you then wild horses can’t drag me away. Axel Rose Husband. Yes, it’s that kinda thing.

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YOU KEPT ON MENTIONING THIS GUY WHO YOU ALMOST MARRIED, AND THAT GUY WHO YOU DUMPED, AND THE OTHER GUY THAT WAS A JERK WITH YOU, WHO COINCIDENTALLY, IS THE SAME ONE THAT TOOK YOU ON ALL THESE FABULOUS VACATIONS...

RABIH’S LIST OF FIRST DATE FAUX PAS The ten ways you made sure that this first date would not lead to a second!

1. You ask me to pick you up from Jbeil for a dinner in Hamra (when you know I live in Achrafieh).

2. You show up with more makeup than Maya Diab on a Saturday night.

3. You check your BlackBerry between every bite.

4. You greet/kiss the bouncer as we walk into the club (am I supposed to be impressed?).

5. Your dress was wrinkled. I asked you out 4 days ago and I know you’ve spent half the time since then thinking about what to wear for this glorious occasion. Couldn’t you spend 10 minutes steaming that thing?

6. You kept on mentioning this guy who you almost married, and that guy who you dumped, and the other guy that was a jerk with you, who coincidentally, is the same one that took you on all these fabulous vacations...

7. You spoke while you were chewing. It’s true that the human mouth functions for chewing and speaking, but that doesn’t mean you should be doing both at the same time.

8. You drank like a fish. Everyone likes a tipsy girl on a first date, but don’t go overboard. More than one drink per 20 minutes is considered borderline alcoholic.

9. You didn’t laugh at my jokes. I know I’m not Nemr Abou Nassar and that some of my jokes may not be that funny. The least you can do is giggle.

10. What you wore did not show enough cleavage.

Let’s face it, if you come all wrapped up, I don’t want to see you again. God gave you this blessing, show it!

Don’t hide it.

I must say, however, that at the end of the day, there is just one and only one reason that I may not ask you out on a second date, and at the risk of sounding too cliché, here goes: I’m just not that into you.

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MON AMOUR, MON AMI

NOTALL

IT’S

SUNSHINE +FLOWERS NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS IN LEBANON BY @LENAJIB OF BLOG BALADI

D

uring my MBA years at LAU Beirut, I enrolled in a Financial Management course despite being warned by two friends of mine (both girls) that it was a difficult and tricky course. Financial Management consists of creating wealth for a certain business through proper planning and control. It requires strong decision-making skills to maximize the Return on Investment (ROI) for every dollar spent, bearing in mind the external and internal risk factors.

You’re probably asking yourself why the hell I’m talking about a finance course to explain matters of the heart, but the truth is that this course has given me a new insight on handling relationships.

It was far better than everything I’ve experienced or learned prior, whether through readings or from friends and family. As a matter of fact, I’ve come to the conclusion that handling a relationship is very similar to handling a finance portfolio as it requires a certain amount

of time and energy that are bound by the nature of the relationship one is seeking or in financial terms, the ROI percentage that this person wishes to achieve.

“The higher the risk, the higher the return,” a statement used to define risky investments can also be applied to relationships. All types of relationships are in effect investments that a guy makes in exchange of a desired return.

If you’re just after sex with a partner or want to fool around, you can either invest in safe areas (in other words interact with people open to such arrangements), or put in an incredible amount of energy seeking sex with a girl, let’s say, who is a full member in the Society for Preserving Chastity. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but that’s like investing nowadays in MySpace thinking it will stage a comeback and take down Facebook. Of course Lebanon is not the ideal place to be seeking such relationships as sex is still considered a societal taboo and the myth that all

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Lebanese girls are virgins while all guys have had sex with at least 5 girls still lives on until the present day. This being said, many “Westernized” Lebanese men find it easier to “diversify their investments” by looking into other markets, meaning they befriend European and North American tourists and residents in Lebanon.

Away from the short-lived and unpredictable relationships, the long-term relationship is the most demanding and time-consuming one, yet it is the one that poses the highest accumulated return if handled properly. If a guy thinks he’s found The One and wants to keep her, he’ll need to assess all the internal and external risks surrounding this choice and invest heavily to keep this relationship going. He’ll be hoping for a return equal or higher to his early investment: to be loved back. You hear many so-called relationship experts give advice on both long and short-

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term relationships and how to preserve and handle them, and what one has to do to keep please a partner, but in my opinion they’re as reliable as financial companies making recommendations for the stock market. You cannot accurately predict the behavior of a stock or a bond, even if you’ve extensively studied its past performance, the risks surrounding it and computed various forecasts. A serious relationship is one that needs to be handled on a daily basis, and it requires a lot of commitment and hard work. It also encompasses several uncertainties and could crumble at any second for many plausible reasons, just like an 80 year-old well-established company could collapse within a few weeks if its stock drops drastically.

Last but not least, Lebanon’s conservative society makes it even harder for guys to handle serious relationships as there are many unexpected factors that could come out of nowhere to mess

things up! Indeed, it’s not just the girl’s immediate family that you have to worry about, but factor in the grandparents, aunts, cousins, extended family, the rich uncle living in the U.S., the town Priest or Sheikh or wise man, peers at work, her boss, her best friends, the “Bossara” she visits each week, her ex-bfs and the list goes on and on.

Some Lebanese take pride in how our society is a conservative one and still has values while in reality it’s asking guys to have Superman-like skills to navigate a relationship and make it endure

IT’S NOT JUST THE GIRL’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY THAT YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, BUT FACTOR IN THE GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, COUSINS, EXTENDED FAMILY, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON

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FML [F**K MY LIFE]

time to TAKE A VOW OF SILENCE FOR RAGMAG

BY AMAL CHAABAN

24 HOURS OF ABSOLUTELY NO TALKING WHILE NAVIGATING MY WAY AROUND BEIRUT

W

hen I booked my trip to Lebanon, I knew there was a good chance that my turn would come for my FML. This was confirmed when I got a tweet from my long-suffering colleague Youmna Chagoury (Fida is her Editor after all, hence the “suffering” comment). To my surprise, Youmna was not commiserating with me, she was making fun of me. So much for #TeamYoumna! I was told I would have to take a Vow of Silence for RAGMAG: 24 hours of absolutely no talking while navigating my way around Beirut. I immediately started strategizing the best way to get around the rule that I couldn’t talk.

Saturday, June 16 12:30pm I make the last of my phone calls trying to make plans... no one is answering me and once 2pm hits, it’s all over for 24 hours. I start thinking maybe I should use my digital recorder to record key words and hit play whenever I need them. After all, I can’t talk for 24 hours but no one said anything about using technology to get what I need. I dismiss the idea (actually, I was just too lazy to look for my recorder).

Editor’s Note You should know that Amal is our bookie-wook reviewer and author interviewer.

She has never done an FML before because she’s based abroad. Second thing: Amal is my big sister. This means that I have never been allowed to tell her to SHUT UP! Her trip to Lebanon gave me the perfect opportunity to tell my big sis to “zip the lip” so to speak.

June 16 2:00pm Time to shine! I have a list of things to do before I head home to Canada and I intend on doing them this weekend, voice or no voice. First stop: souvenir shopping. Kudos to Chehab in Hamra for being extremely patient while I pointed, wrote, asked about pricing and finally made a purchase. The gentleman (presumably the owner) was very kind and didn’t even attempt to up the price of the item I was buying though I took great care to write only in English. Librairie An-

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people. He finally agrees to allow me to take one picture, so I sneak the rest.

Things go from bad to worse when my waiter comes and is clearly displeased about having to serve someone who can’t talk. The amount of huffing and puffing he does as I pointed out what I wanted (arguileh included) was ridiculous. In fact, the only two staff members of Al Falamanki worth keeping were the hostess and the gentleman who was responsible for renewing the charcoal on my arguileh. I can assure you, had I been able to speak, I would have lost my shit on the manager and the waiter.

toine also gets kudos for patiently reading the list of authors I asked for and then trying to find them. Time to get a cab and head to the famed Al Falamanki on Monot. The first two cabs who stop don’t even try to read the paper I hold up – the third stops and says he will take me but only as a taxi. Once the vehicle is moving, he decides that I should be paying him 10USD instead of the standard 10,000LBP fare for a taxi. I’m pretty sure he thinks that I am a mute foreigner who won’t know the difference. I open my mouth to argue and then snap it shut. Instead, I pull out my black Sharpie and write: TAXI = 10,000LBP. He starts laughing, knowing that I may be mute, but I am not dumb.

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Things take a turn for the worse at Al Falamanki. I mime to the hostess that I would like to take pictures of the space. She agrees initially, then she retracts that and tells me she needs to get a manager. Things get worse when my waiter comes over with her and I mime again. This time, in addition to miming, I write that I’d like to take pictures since I happen to be a tourist; the waiter advises only the manager can agree to that so I ask for him. I am starting to get irritated; after all, I’m only asking to take pictures of a place that is supposed to be a part of Beirut’s history. The manager comes and it really turns into a shit show. By this time, my throat is literally aching with the need to yell at these

I CAN ASSURE YOU, HAD I BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY SHIT ON THE MANAGER AND THE WAITER

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FML [F**K MY LIFE]

Editor’s Note Part of the reason I wanted to try this particular experiment is because I was curious to see how Beirut would treat a foreigner with a challenge. We’re known for hospitality to tourists, but we’re also known for being notoriously ignorant with certain obvious challenges: wheelchairs and blindness included. Mute seemed to be a rarity so we decided to give that a go.

June 16 3:00pm I stand on the side of the road to flag a cab so I can get back to Hamra. As before, several cars drive by but aren’t even willing to stop long enough to read my sign. I finally get a cab after agreeing to a taxi price... and he dumps me at the end of the tunnel he uses to get across from Achrafieh. I walk the rest of the way back to Hamra.

I am beginning to wish I had recorded key words to use.

June 16 10:00pm We’re hitting up Febru-

ary 30 (Hamra’s hotspot) and I am excited because Nemr Abou Nassar is going to be joining us. I’ve seen his videos on YouTube and find him quite brilliant for his social commentary. Then I remember that I can’t talk. For the first time since I took my vow, I’m wishing I hadn’t. February 30 is a madhouse crush and it doesn’t really matter that I can’t talk because no one can hear me anyway. Several people get into the spirit of things and write back and forth with me (shout out to Leen Steitieh-Hibri, Rabih

NEMR ARRIVES AND IMMEDIATELY STARTS CRACKING JOKES ABOUT HOW I AM MANAGING THE WHOLE ORDEAL AFTER FIDA GIVES HIM A QUICK EXPLANATION Ghadan, Rony Abou Saab and Omar Abou Ezzeddine). For the first time all day, I am being treated normally by people. Nemr arrives and immediately starts cracking jokes about how I am managing the whole ordeal after Fida gives him a quick explanation. I take a few pictures of Nemr, one of which is hilarious because he’s jesting at my note to him. At the end of the night, my sister and I head to Leil Nhar and the staff don’t even blink at me writing everything down for them. Excellent... but I am sick of not talking.

Editor’s Note Readers, please give me credit for scheduling our outing with Nemr and my sister’s FML on the same night. It is a huge challenge is it to be faced with one of the most interesting people in Lebanon and not being able to respond to his barbs and antics!

Watch for our special feature with Nemr in August’s issue.

Sunday, June 17th 11:00am I roll over, open

my mouth and ask the time. I was doing so well until that point! I’m quickly reminded that I can’t talk. I head back out to finish up my errands and go straight to Eldorado. The staff member there decides that I can’t hear because I can’t talk so she kindly mimes right back with

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me. The rest of the morning is spent doing errands and attempting to get help at places where they should know better than to be rude (City Pharmacy Hamra, I am talking to you). Readers, please note that Gina Gabriel (our Publisher), tried to trick me into speaking by calling my number repeatedly –yes, she is quite the prankster.

This FML was supposed to be a lark and somewhat amusing. It turned into a learning experience of what life is like as someone who lives in Beirut and faces a life challenge, mute or otherwise.

My “limitation” was not physical, nor was it visible but the difference in how I was treated once I gestured that I could not talk was startling. Of all the people I encountered in my 24 mute hours, only the people we were with at February 30 and staff members at 5 businesses treated me well. It should go without saying that the last thing that disabled people need is to be treated with disdain but apparently, here in Beirut, it does need to be said.

Editor’s Note Fun and games aside, sometimes our little experiments are enlightening. We hope you learned as much as we did

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For 50 years, we have celebrated the essence of Beirut

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RAGMAG MAKES A

BIG MISTAKE

BY MARIA-ELENA KASSAB

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

Editor’s Note Maria-Elena brings an important point to the table. Like every other magazine out there, we are perpetuating the “THIN IS IN” problem. Fit is the new skinny and in this article you’ll find images of us, the RAGMAG staff, in all shapes and sizes. As for the content of this article: we are guilty as charged. Once you read this piece, if you agree with Maria-Elena’s suggestion for a BIG issue, please tweet it our way @RAGMAGLebanon. It’s Your Magazine.

What if RAGMAG, YOUR MAGAZINE, releases a BIG ISSUE where EVERYTHING is BOLDER, BIGGER AND BETTER?

E

verybody knows that RAGMAG is a different from other locally published magazines because we talk back to our readers, we listen to what they have to say and we interact on every platform possible. We write about everything and anything and aren’t afraid of controversy and generating a little heat. But are we really different in every way?

Take a moment and flip through your past RAGMAG issues; check out the models on the cover, the models in our shoots and every single image we choose to print. Aren’t they absolutely hot, deliciously skinny and perfect in every way? According to society and what we have been conditioned to think, yes, they most certainly are. But do they represent real women? Do they represent all the women who read RAGAMG, the women who write in RAGMAG and women in general? No, they most certainly do not. Not that our readers aren’t hot, they sure are, but they’re not all models.

Now I know I’m the farthest thing from skinny and although I keep trying dieting and exercising, I still love good food and sitting around with a book more than running around while chewing on a celery stick. And I know for a fact that I’m not the only round person on the RAGMAG team. But except for my article “Skinny Bitches” (2 years ago) and a few articles where Youmna Chagoury mentions the bathrobes at some spas are also made for bigger sizes (and when she says she loves good food), we as a staff greatly marginalize plus-sized women. We live in a society that prides itself on having 17 denominations and various cultural norms and traditions but we keep showcasing one physical shape -the long, skinny girls - in our ads and photo shoots, in our fashion advice and our relationship articles.

I know skinny is considered sexy and, therefore sells well, but bigger can also be beautiful and I think people should be reminded of that.

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Aren’t you tired of seeing stick-thin models and actresses with bodies to die for thanks to their 24/7 crew of personal trainers, chefs and helpers and hearing those women tell you what to eat, what to drink and how often you have to work out?

Don’t they realize that women in the real world don’t get paid to look good? Aren’t you tired of seeing beautiful items of clothing in these glossy pages, going to the store and finding out that they don’t sell your size? Aren’t you bored of seeing tiny waists, slender arms and dainty thighs in these pages then looking around and noticing that this is not the way things are?

Did you know that our very own February 2012 cover girl, Dita Von Teese, launched a lingerie line that allows women of all shapes and sizes to have beautiful, sensual lingerie that fits their body types? Did you know that Brazilian plus-size model Fluvia Lucerda has been dubbed the “plus-sized Gisele Bundchen” or that size 18 (UK) Tara Lynn graced the cover of Elle magazine? Did you know that countries and magazines have passed laws and rules to ban the use of overly thin and anorexic models? Did you know, sadly, that Karl Lagerfeld said that Adele was “a little too fat,” completely ignoring her talent or that young girls today repeat Kate Moss’ infamous quote, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”? Is this what you want RAGMAG to be all about, just like any other magazine, or do you want YOUR MAGAZINE to promote REAL WOMEN? I’m not saying that we should celebrate obesity, far from it, but let’s celebrate beauty in general. What if RAGMAG, YOUR MAGAZINE, releases a BIG ISSUE where EVERYTHING is BOLDER, BIGGER AND BETTER? From plus-size models in flattering shoots to articles about what makes bigger better in both men and women, to medical opinions on overweight people to pop-culture with movies, songs and books. How about we feature the world’s biggest malls, palaces, people, Christmas trees, biggest book phenomena… BIG. That’s what I’m saying.

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

THE RAGMAG TEAM COMES IN ALL SHAPES + SIZES CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GINA GABRIEL, FIDA CHAABAN, ODETTE KAHWAGI, YOUMNA CHAGOURY, SARAH HOURANY, STEPHANIE AOUN, MARIA-ELENA KASSAB, IMOGEN KIMBER, CHRISTIAN HARB, SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

SUAVE

SHADES

VALENTINO

SUMMER SENSATION EYEWEAR

Sun worshippers listen up! Look great and protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays with this selection of fantastic eyewear. Beaching just got shadier with this catwalk selection!

ROSIE HUNTINGTONWHITELEY WEARING BURBERRY AVIATORS IN NEW YORK

VALENTINO

CALVIN KLEIN

FENDI DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

LACOSTE

REESE WITHERSPOON IN VERSACE

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Marc by Marc Jacobs

MIX N’ MATCH

REAL RUNWAY

RAGMAG SHOWS YOU HOW TO REPLICATE THAT RUNWAY TREND! SEE OUR TAKES ON HOW TO MAKE THE READY TO WEAR, ACTUALLY WEARABLE STYLED BY STEPHANIE AOUN

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IN A WINK PINK MORGAN SWIMWEAR 145000 LBP

FROLIC

FOLLI FOLLIE KEYS COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT DAMAS

SUNSHINE

IN THE

MORGAN SWIMWEAR MICHAEL KORS SUNGLASSES SPRINGFIELD TASSLED BAG 69000 LBP

DRAPED+ PATTERNED

MARC BY MARC JACOBS SS 2012

NOAH

HIGH TIME MORGAN SHORTS

BEACH BOY

SPRINGFIELD 69000 LBP

MORGAN DRESS

NOAH TOP

STRAPPING STRIPES

MORGAN BIKINI 165000 LBP

SUN SON

TIMBERLAND SHORTS 130000 LBP

ROCKPORT SANDALS 145000 LBP

CHLOE BAG

CHLOE SANDALS

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JEAN MACHINE

FOLLI FOLLIE FOLLIE DE FIORI COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT DAMAS

TIP TOP SHAPE ETRO HAT

NILE STYLE

ETRO NECKLACE

DSQUARED2 ss 2012 ANONAME SHORTS AVAILABLE AT GS

BLUE SKIES SALSA JEANS

TAILORED TAPERS

7 FOR ALL MANKIND WESTERN DENIM SHIRT

SYMMETRICAL SUE YSL EARRING

SEXY SPHERES

FOLLI FOLLIE 4F COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT DAMAS

GOLD MEDALIST YSL CLUTCH

MARC BY MARC JACOBS PRE-SPRING 2013

BLACK LIGHT

ETRO STILETTOS

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7 FOR ALL MANKIND JEANS

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Balmain

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TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN

BOTTEGA VENETA SS 2012

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN

YSL SS 2012

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

BEST

INSHOW

The Design Museum presents the first UK retrospective of iconic French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, celebrating a career which has pushed the boundaries of high fashion shoe design.

With their instantly recognizable glossy red soles, Louboutin’s shoes are a fusion of fashion, craftsmanship, engineering and sculpture. Celebrating Louboutin’s career to date and showcasing 20 years of designs and inspiration, the exhibition reveals the artistry and theatricality of his shoe design from stilettos to lace-up boots, studded sneakers and bejewelled pumps. Drawing from Christian Louboutin’s personal archive, the exhibition presents his celebrated designs, referencing the origins of the cult red sole, through to the latest Louboutin collections including a range for men and handbags. The exhibition also focuses on the handcrafted shoe, one-off designs which incorporate his highly innovative ideas, forms and materials. There will be a special section dedicated to the shoes designed for “Fetish” an exhibition at the La Gallerie Du Passage, Paris in 2007, a unique collaboration of photography between Louboutin and acclaimed artist David Lynch.

The Christian Louboutin exhibit began May 1st, 2012 and will continue until July 9th, 2012 DESIGN MUSEUM, SHAD THAMES, LONDON

www.designmuseum.org

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CULTURE CLASH

HANAA BEN ABDESSLEM

RISING STAR BRAINS, BALLS

+ A BIRD OF PARADISE

BY FIDA CHAABAN

THE FIRST ARAB SUPERMODEL TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO RAGMAG ABOUT BEING CATAPULTED INTO THE SPOTLIGHT AND BECOMING THE DE FACTO REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE MODERN ARAB WOMAN

Photography by

ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

for LANCÔME 2012

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CULTURE CLASH

O

ne of the first things you notice about Hanaa Ben Abdesslem is that she’s got a sort of dichotomy of energies. The two opposing ideas that she gives off are tough to fully pin down. What I mean by this is that when you watch videos of her and note her overall demeanour, she seems flirty and light, like some exotic bird of paradise ready to flit from palm frond to palm frond. Then, when you look into her eyes, she seems downright intimidating with a stare that conveys both depth and a whiplash dose of determination, and this is certainly not in line with her pretty plumage.

The newest face of Lancôme has been surrounded by a flurry of global press and it’s not your ordinary “X is the new spokesperson” type of stuff either. It’s the kind that makes you wonder about the fairness of it all and how you, or anyone else out there, can be thrust into the role of cultural and religious ambassador, no matter how reluctant you are to be one. Nearly every article about the fresh-faced newcomer in the Western press makes note of the fact that she is of Tunisian origin, Arab and Muslim. Not only are they stressing all three facts, they are using Hanaa as the poster child and positive emissary for both a culture and a religion that isn’t receiving great press of late. Hanaa, thankfully, is not reluctant to represent her people, saying that being considered the face of the modern Arab woman is “a very privileged role and with it comes a big responsibility.

I hope to lead the way for those who wish to pursue the same career path and be their role model.” Is it hard being upfront about practising Islam, after all, a great deal of international celebrities get flack for it? “I am proud of my origins and my beliefs. Those who meet me will associate it with positive

connotations.” Does she believe she’s a good representative for Arab women in the West? “I hope so! My career choice was a challenge and still is.” One article went so far as to say that Hanaa doesn’t drink, associating this with her religious devotion. In response to this, Hanaa clarifies: “I believe life is all about balance. I don’t drink or smoke, it’s very bad for the health before anything!” Modelling is notoriously linked to the use of illicit substances, so has she done drugs? “I have never done drugs and the rampant drug problem everywhere in the world is troubling. It reflects a social and mental discomfort in an individual who believes drugs is the solution and I think they need help,” she says firmly.

Her agent, Sophie Galal, says that she “met Hanaa for the first time in the summer of 2009 and within 10 minutes of talking with her, I already saw her as an international star.”

But what made Sophie decide to represent Hanaa since her business, Rahy Consultancy, is focused on the cultural economics of the MENA region, a world away from the fashion industry? Sophie explains: “I asked her what were her dreams and aspirations. Hanaa replied, ‘featuring in Vogue and walking the catwalk for Chanel’. I could see very clearly she had the burning ambition and I had the know-how, the perfect combination!” Indeed it was, shortly after signing with Galal, Hanaa soon found herself walking some of the world’s most sought-after runways like Hermes, Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel and finally being lauded as the “darling” of Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci no less. In one month she also walked for fashion stars Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui and the revered Oscar de la Renta. Hanaa says that Sophie “influences me in many positive ways. She believes in me and gives me moral support through every step, always motivating me to go even further. I trust her advice and directives and having a good manager is very important to develop one’s career in the modelling industry.”

SHE SEEMS DOWNRIGHT INTIMIDATING WITH A STARE THAT CONVEYS BOTH DEPTH AND A WHIPLASH DOSE OF DETERMINATION

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SHE’S GOT A SORT OF DICHOTOMY OF ENERGIES. THE TWO

OPPOSING IDEAS THAT SHE GIVES OFF ARE TOUGH TO FULLY PIN DOWN.

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RALPH LAUREN SS 2012

HERMES SS 2012

ANNA SUI SS 2012

GIAMBATTISTA BALI SS 2012

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OHNE TITEL SS 2012

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JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER COUTURE SS 2012

GIAMBATTISTA BALI COUTURE SS 2012

GARETH PUGH SS 2012

CHANEL COUTURE SS 2011

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GIAMBATTISTA BALI COUTURE FW 2011-2012

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CULTURE CLASH

BOTTOM OF PAGE: BEHIND THE SCENES: LANCÔME TEINT IDOLE AD STARRING HANNA BEN ABDESSLEM + ARLENIS SOSA

Hanaa is passionate about a few things during the interview, one of which is fashion. Having modelled for most of the major couture houses and premiered with Vivienne Westwood, she is excited to continue her upward climb. “I was lucky to have modelled for all my favourite designers except for Hedi Slimane, which I hope will be very soon. [He is] the new designer for YSL and he is of Tunisian origin.” Hedi, who many have credited with revolutionizing clean lines and the ergonomics of fashion, is noted for his precision and art-eye handling of fabrics. On the subject of haute couture and big names, Hanna’s patriotism shines again as she adds, “I don’t have one favourite designer but many [sic]. However I have to admit I have a soft spot for Azzedine Alaïa.” The Tunisian-born designer is one of the biggest names in fashion and continues to develop collections that dot the best-dressed lists worldwide. Hanaa’s landmark features in several Vogue editions are perhaps one of the clearest indicators of her global influence. “It was a dream come true. My first Vogue feature will always be the most memorable and I am very grateful to Carine Roitfeld, previous Editor in Chief of French Vogue, for giving me the opportunity,” says Hanaa.

‘

We caught up with Hanaa prior to a whirlwind month of scheduled travelling. The supermodel is currently “based between New York, Paris and London. Every two months or whenever I can, I take a few days to come back to Tunisia and visit with my family.” She labels her family “moderately traditional” Muslims and adds that “they don’t always understand the fashion or modelling world but they give me their full support.”

Where does she stand on the hijab and does she see herself wearing it one day? “My mother wears the hijab and I cannot predict the future. Today I don’t wear the hijab but I think it’s obvious!” Since the French press is constantly expressing antiMuslim sentiment, I can’t help but ask her opinion of this being since Ben Abdesslem is a freq u e n t face on the Parisian fashion scene.

Hanaa is politically correct here and toes the line only saying that “Anything ‘anti’ doesn’t reflect well.

Open-mindedness and respect is vital in societies.” What does she think of the Western press making such a huge issue of being the first Muslim face of Lancôme? “I have also wondered about this type of reaction knowing very well that Lancôme wanted me to be part of the Lancôme family and offered me to be the face of Lancôme because their philosophy of beauty corresponds to my looks and personality. The interesting part is that they wanted me to represent Lancôme worldwide which I have heard is unusual for a model. It is truer for actresses but not models. There is so much competition that I believe it created a reaction of ‘Why her?’ The only element that the Western press believed differentiated me from other models was my religion. It a false notion and I have never heard or read in the press the religions of the [other] top models. Another influence is the Western interpretation of my religion versus my profession but there are several top models who share my religion. So religion, any faith, does not determine your success or talents.” Why does she think she was chosen by the esteemed French cosmetic and fragrance house? “I think it is because they identified in me the shared philosophy of beauty and elegance. I feel Lancôme reflects whom I am and how beauty is perceived.”

THERE IS SO MUCH COMPETITION [...] IT CREATED A REACTION OF ‘WHY HER?’

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THIS PAGE: HANAA IN VOGUE GERMANY | APRIL 2012 PHOTOGRAPHY BY GIAMPAOLLO SGURA

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CULTURE CLASH

‘

ONE CAN EXPRESS HIS OR HER BELIEFS WITHOUT PROVOCATION. I BELIEVE ARAB WOMEN CAN EXPRESS ANYTHING THEY BELIEVE TO BE RIGHT OR TRUE.

’

I point out here that her “French elegance” has been mentioned by more than one publication and ask why it isn’t attributed to her Arab background. She fields this well and jokes, “When there is a newborn baby in the family, each of the family members from either parents claim the baby looks like their side of the family. Maybe this is the same!” Which Arab women best represent us to the West? “I can speak for the Arab Tunisian women in the fashion industry [who] I admire and respect their accomplishments: Leïla Menchari, Hermes Window designer. She received the Golden Dido Award for her contribution to Tunisian culture and influences in world.

Afef Jnifen who fought for Arab women’s freedom of choice and continues to defend their rights.” Jnifen, recently featured in W Magazine under the title of “Lady Liberty”, is also a former Tunisian model who has strutted her stuff for the likes of Fendi and Cavalli, and has a reputation for speaking her mind and not at all delicately. At this juncture I ask her if she feels that Arab women are free to express their sexuality and she responds slightly cryptically: “One can express his or her beliefs without provocation. I believe Arab women can express anything they believe to be right or true.” She chooses not to answer the questions I pose about premarital sex, but does say she isn’t in a relationship at present, devoting time

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instead to her “career, charity work and spending time with my family.” She’s a volunteer for the NGO “Esmaani” and also acts as their spokesperson. Hanaa’s smarts were also of the bookish sort: she was studying civil engineering but “stopped my studies to completely focus on modelling. Modelling cannot be a hobby and needs to be taken seriously if one wants it to take you seriously. My calling is modelling and fashion and I would like to pursue it in that direction.” Ben Abdesslem is championed by Galal who was “raised between the U.S., Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Growing up, I was exposed to several educational systems but ended up at the King Saud University for Girls in Riyadh for my undergrad.”

Galal is currently finishing her EMBA at the Mediterranean School of Business and is “already thinking of the next educational program I would like to venture into. It is a constant thirst to improve and evolve. My two passions [are] women’s empowerment and environmental solutions. I am currently creating two ambitious projects in those directions and hope to accomplish them in the next two years.”

Hanaa Ben Abdesslem’s career has just begun to take flight and with Sophie Galal’s business acumen behind her, we can only expect to see more of the star. There is nowhere to go but up, treetops exotic or concrete, included

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

BRIT WEEK

FASHION FOR A CAUSE

BRITISH EMBASSY BIDS ON LEBANESE DESIGNER RAMI KADI’S GOWN TO BENEFIT CHARITY

If you’re used to thinking of Paris as the fashion capital, you’re going to have to get your head out of that space for a bit. The Brit Week fashion show at the Beirut Souks brought out Lebanon’s best and brightest in homage to Queen Elizabeth’s 60th Jubilee celebrations. Lebanese designers were asked to design a piece around the theme of England’s monarch and none other than H.E. Tom Fletcher, British Ambassador to Lebanon, was on hand to kick off the event: “I hope the Jubilee fashion show showed a Britain comfortable and proud of its heritage, but also looking forward, with the innovation and panache to take on the 21st century.” After the show, the designer’s contributions were auctioned off with the proceeds going to charity. The big star item of the evening was Rami Kadi’s gown with the winning bid placed by the British Embassy. “My colleagues loved the London cultural references in Rami Kadi’s brilliant piece. We’ll put it on display in the embassy,” added Fletcher. Paola Rebeiz, responsible for conceptual development and organizer of the event said, “We gathered 20 of Lebanon’s best young designers for a tribute to Her Majesty’s style. We auctioned the pieces for charity which were Bassma and Dar Al Aytam Al Islmayeh. I called approximately 30 promising designers and I chose the designers who took the challenge of coming up with suitable and original pieces in only 15 days! Hats off to Joe Raad and Fady Kataya for sending their teams for hair and makeup for the entire event.” The design of the invitations and visuals for the Fashion Tribute were executed by graphic design star NoBrand headed by Badeeh Abla.

Beirut’s “Fashion Tribute for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee” was held on Sunday, June 17th, 2012

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Chateau Saint-Thomas presents the

Pinot Noir

in all its freshness and typicality

For the first time in the history of Lebanese wine, Chateau SaintThomas has revealed Lebanon’s first Pinot Noir.

For the launch party, Joe Assad, passionate oenologist and winemaker at Chateau SaintThomas opened the first bottle, pouring the first drops of this exceptional wine made with love and ultimate care by him and his father, owner of the vineyard. Friends of Chateau SaintThomas and media representatives enjoyed the subtle freshness of the Pinot Noir 2008, aged 6 months in oak barrels, at the Hotel Le Gray in Beirut.

Traditionally grown in Burgundy, Champagne and Alsace, this grape is grown not only in France but also in other countries like New Zealand and the United States. Requiring a temperate climate and an altitude of 1100 to 1200 meters, a soil of gravel and limestone, the Pinot Noir has always been deemed to be a difficult wine to grow and vinify. In Lebanon, it is a challenge in its own right because of the heat and humidity, which explains its absence until today. Yet, Chateau Saint-Thomas took up the challenge, and is now even more proud of this success!

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BASKING IN RAYS OF SUNSHINE

WARMTH, WONDER + WILES

Photography by ODETTE KAHWAGI

+ CHRISTIAN HARB Styled by JONY MATTA

Makeup by ELIE ESTEPHAN | Hair by NADER SIDANI Models ALLA + DASHA of Lips Agency | DAKU of Nidal’s Agency Location THE ROOF AT THE FOUR SEASONS BEIRUT

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SWIMMING CAP VANILLA SWIMSUIT ERES, ABC

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VINTAGE STORY DRESSES FOOTWEAR, LEFT TO RIGHT: SEAFOLLY ABC, ASH ABC

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SCARF VINTAGE STORY SWIMSUITS SYMBIOSE SHORTS ADREANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE

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SWIMSUIT ADRIANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE SUNGLASSES VINTAGE STORY NECKLACE VINTAGE STORY CUFF ÉCLAT DE MODE FOOTWEAR KURT GEIGER, ABC

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LEFT TO RIGHT: WHITE SWIMSUIT SYMBIOSE PAREO ADRIANA DEGREAS CUFF ÉCLAT DE MODE SUNGLASSES DSQUARED2, HALLAK OPTICIANS SWIMSUIT SYMBIOSE SUNGLASSES VINTAGE STORY EARRINGS BY SOLINE 128 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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LEFT TO RIGTH: SWIMWEAR ADRIANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE EARRINGS SYMBIOSE SWIMWEAR SYMBIOSE SHOES MINELLI , ABC SUNGLASSES TOM FORD, HALLAK OPTICIANS BIKINI TOP VINTAGE STORY BIKINI BOTTOM SYMBIOSE EARRINGS VINTAGE STORY FOOTWEAR ASH, ABC

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LEFT TO RIGHT: CHECKED ORANGE SWIMWEAR VANILLA CHECKED BLUE SWIMWEAR SEAFOLLY, ABC BLACK SWIMWEAR SEAFOLLY, ABC SUNGLASSES DSQUARED2, HALLAK OPTICIANS

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SWIMWEAR ERES, ABC FOOTWEAR MINELLI, ABC

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SWIMWEAR ERES, ABC SWIMMING CAP VANILLA

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SWIMWEAR ADRIANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE FOOTWEAR MINELLI, ABC SUNGLASSES H&M

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SWIMWEAR VINTAGE STORY

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SWIMWEAR VINTAGE STORY SWIMMING CAPS VANILLA

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TOP TO BOTTOM: CHECKED SWIMWEAR SEAFOLLY, ABC BLACK SWIMWEAR SEAFOLLY, ABC CHECKED SWIMWEAR VANILLA EARRINGS VANINA, ÉCLAT DE MODE

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SUNGLASSES TOM FORD, HALLAK OPTICIANS SWIMWEAR ADRIANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE EARRINGS SYMBIOSE 138 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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LEFT TO RIGHT: SUNGLASSES H&M SWIMWEAR ADRIANA DEGREAS, SYMBIOSE EARRINGS ÉCLAT DE MODE SWIMWEAR SYMBIOSE NECKLACE ÉCLAT DE MODE SUNGLASSES JOHN GALLIANO, HALLAK OPTICIANS

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SWIMWEAR SYMBIOSE

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TOP TO BOTTOM: SWIMWEAR SYMBIOSE SUNGLASSES TOM FORD, HALLAK OPTICIANS BIKINI TOP VINTAGE STORY EARRINGS VINTAGE STORY FOOTWEAR ASH, ABC SWIMWEAR SYMBIOSE SUNGLASSES RAY BAN

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SWIMWEAR VINTAGE STORY

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SWIMWEAR VINTAGE STORY

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OUT+ABOUT

SUNSPOT ABU DHABI HELD HOSTAGE

BY MADONNA

RAGMAG got out + about with Flash Entertainment and the Queen Regent of Pop, none other than Madonna! The landmark concerts were the first ever performances by Madonna in an Arab country and were the second and third shows in the MDNA tour, respectively. Concert-goers from as far away as Canada headed to the capital of the U.A.E. to get first sightings of the star’s ninth concert tour series. Mira Sadek at FLASH Entertainment stressed that hosting of Madonna was not just a landmark event for Abu Dhabi, but one that the entire region could be proud of, “Abu Dhabi has provided the perfect backdrop for exceptional entertainment, cultural and sporting events in recent years. The city has become a major player in the industry, which has played an important part in elevating the entire region’s reputation for delivering world-class entertainment. It’s also made hundreds of thousands of people very happy!” She continued, “This is not just an historic moment for Abu Dhabi and the UAE, but for the entire region.” For 2 consecutive nights, Madonna held the United Arab Emirates captive to her stage presence

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and sound. Opener Benny Benassi warmed up the crowd for an hour each evening, spinning some of dance’s biggest hits; “Satisfaction” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”. The steamy weather didn’t deter fans from packing the stadium (a total capacity of 22000 persons), and waiting on du arena’s grassy fields for Madonna to begin. Her newer songs from the recently released MDNA album were greeted mostly with surprise whereas her classic hits, “Like a Virgin” done acoustically, “Like a Prayer” with choir backing, and “Vogue” got the crowd singing, dancing and even a bit hysterical. Sequences with Young Money’s Nicki Minaj and platinum rapper Lil Wayne were big hits of the night suggesting good sales for the MDNA album. Flash and Madonna made music history, and we’re down in the books right with them!

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CHAMPAGNE, CAVIAR AND POPCORN AT THE MOVIES.

WHY NOT?

7 SCREENS + LEBANON’S FIRST VIP THEATRE

GRAND CINEMAS NOW OPEN AT ABC DBAYEH Entertainment will never be the same again. www.facebook.com/GCLebanon | www.grandcinemas.com J U LY 2 0 1 2

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SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

CHECK

BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

Garbage NOT YOUR KIND OF PEOPLE It seems it is release season for all the wicked Mansons in the music industry. Last month we reviewed Marilyn Manson, this issue, it’s Ms. Shirley Manson and her merry bunch of psychos collectively known as Garbage. Seven years after “Bleed Like Me”, the band still marches on with the same chutzpah and sound, letting you be the judge of whether or not that’s a good idea. Personally, I don’t see an issue with it -having a nice slice of 90s alternative served up by an innovative band is a welcome treat- but the feeling I get after a few spins is it’s still stuck in that same era, making things a bit redundant. The lyrics are the only

features of the album where some changes have occurred as Shirley’s vocal statements seem to have toned down a little, reaching a new age of maturity where mentions of abject tantrums and golden showers in songs would sound a little tedious (if you don’t know what a golden shower is, look it up). The band released a statement saying that this would be their comeback album: “Big Bright World”, “Battle In Me” and “Not Your Kind of People” give it a first class feel, but the rest of the album, although enjoyable, fails to reach the level of the aforementioned tunes.

Consume with discretion.

B.o.B STRANGE CLOUDS How do you know that a rapper has reached a point where he can almost do whatever he wants? When he gets none other than Mr. Morgan Freeman narrating the opening segment on the first track of an album. That’s what B.o.B. has accomplished on his second output, the larger than life and pushing the limits “Strange Clouds”. It was obvious from the beginning that the wunderkind of Rap/Pop had a splendid set of skills, which landed him a major label deal at the tender age of 17. To reach that level of repute with only two albums (and an A-List Hollywood actor contributing to your work), is no small beans. Other

than Mr. Freeman, heavyweights from the music world have responded to his call; Country superstar Taylor Swift lends her vocal talents on “Both of Us”, a robotic Nicki Minaj works her way through “Out of My Mind” while Chris Brown and T.I. steal the show on “Arena”. Add to the mix a wide range of gizmos creating weird sounds, an outstanding production complementing B.o.B.’s witty lyrics and punch lines, and this superb blend makes a perfect soundtrack for a life of golden dreams with nonstop festivities and nighttime debaucheries, where everything comes out like you ever wanted, at least for the duration of the album.

The Cult CHOICE OF WEAPON There once was a band named Southern Death Cult who wanted to dominate the Psychedelic Goth scene of the early 80s, with not much success. Later the band shortened its name to The Cult (after a brief phase as Death Cult) and hatched one of the landmark albums of Goth Rock in the form of “Love”. Then, unexpectedly, they shifted to a more arena-oriented Alternative/ Hard Rock sound which brought them major success for a couple of albums, but subsequently falling into relatively humble achievements and sales from then on. In comes 2012 and the Bradford lads release a new album, and it is obvious right off the bat that things are tighter than before, composition wise and sonic delivery. Legendary producer Bob Rock is at

the production helm this time around, letting Ian Astbury’s voice soar lucidly all over the album and Billy Duffy’s guitars growling savagely upfront (previously it was muddled in the back for the last few releases). Duffy’s trademark early stage Goth melodies even resurface from time to time as on the gorgeous “The Wolf” which gives us echoes of their excellent mid-eighties hit “She Sells Sanctuary”.

Astbury’s interest in the plight of the IndianAmerican people is again in the heart of the lyrics and his fascination expands to Tibetan Buddhism and the troubles they encounter in their occupied lands. Good music and spiritual observations, tricky to mix together, but working just fine here.

Near Surface CROOKED LANDINGS Recording an album in Paris is not an easy task for Lebanese bands, but getting it mastered in London is an altogether enormous achievement, one that Near Surface have accomplished with flying colours. Those of you who are not familiar with the band might recognize them as Amy Smack Daddy, their former moniker back when they were playing at all the major local clubs to full houses (Near Surface is 4 of 5 members). They’ve since changed their name but their past enthusiasm and passion hasn’t changed a bit. The ten songs laid down on their first release being a testimony to their fire 146 good | RAGM A G | www.ragmag.co for Alternative music in its different aspects.

“Aware of Me” kicks off the album with a guitar riff

that would’ve been welcome on any Soungarden or Audioslave album, “Level 45” brings forward the funk of Red Hot Chili Peppers, while the slow burner “Our Sleepless Minds” puts the vocals of singer Mark Najjar at the forefront of the track surrounded by spirited violins. One of the stand-out tracks of the album would have to be “Now You’re Here” with its hearty guitar melody that fills you up with energy- a great track for a first single. This is a labour of love for alternative music that the guys have concocted on their first release (I think I even heard a bared “Paradise Lost” riff somewhere), and even though the album is called “Crooked Landings”, I believe they have landed firmly and decisively on their feet.

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

read’em +

weep

BY AMAL CHAABAN

The Drop Michael Connelly Why you should read this book

The truth always comes out

Hardnosed police detective Harry Bosch is working in the cold case unit of the LAPD when he is assigned a case that may have far reaching implications; blood evidence found at the scene of a crime leads to a convicted sex offender.

This would be a slam dunk except for one problem, at the time of the crime; the offender would have been 8 years old putting into question the forensic evidence being gathered and processed at the lab.

Add to that a mysterious suicide and an old enemy

rearing up to distract Bosch from this puzzling case.

Michael Connelly is the master of a mystery within a mystery and this book remains true to the author’s form.

There are no less than 3 separate whodunits running through this novel and the stories are deftly intermingled somehow making perfect sense. There is a slight weakness to one of the characters, but all in all, Mr. Connelly has not lost the golden touch that makes his work consistent bestsellers.

Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel

Why you should read this book Sometimes being a Queen Maker is just as dangerous as being a Queen Historical reference often makes Thomas Cromwell out to be a ruthless, disturbing mastermind who could have given Machiavelli lessons. No one really knows the reality since the historical record from that period would have been written by people who may or may not have embellished misdeeds to mar the memory of the individual. Man Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel takes the historical figure of Cromwell from his very rough beginnings as a blacksmith’s son to his rise under Cardinal Wolsey

in the court of Henry the VIIIth and makes him human.

Imbuing him with thoughts and emotions, Hall fleshes out what is admittedly a difficult historical figure to understand. Mantel’s great talent lies in how she humanizes Cromwell to the point where his history becomes overshadowed by the humanity you are reading in her well-penned novel. By the end of this book, and the beginning of the next, you’ll develop an appreciation for the machinations of Cromwell that would likely not have been there before.

Escape from Camp 14 Blaine Harden Why you should read this book

No matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse

Imagine a world where you are born into slave labour, where you are punished for the crimes of family members you may not even know, and where human life is worth less than the most menial of items. That is the world of Camp 14, a work camp located in North Korea. The existence of these camps are not confirmed by the North Korean government, however several North Korean dissidents (the subject of this book included), confirm not only their existence, but the harrowing world that exists within their confines.

Shin Dong-hyuk was born to two political prisoners of Camp 14 who had been given to each other

in marriage as a reward for good behaviour. An indifferent mother, an absent father, and a regime that teaches you that only snitching on others will get you ahead shapes him into a person who comes across as cold, unmoved by the suffering of his counterparts and sometimes, cruel. Few people have lived through an escape from one of North Korea’s prison camps so prepare for a horror story, only I suggest the reader remain cognizant that this horror is real. From torture, to state-sanctioned rape and murder, this is a story of a regime gone mad and one person’s fight for survival.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter Marisa de los Santos

Why you should read this book

Everyone needs a hobby... some more than others

Serial Killers are a strange lot. They rarely look like the crazed monsters that Hollywood likes to show, instead they look (and tend to act) like mild mannered and bland individuals. Enter Dexter, a Miami based serial killer who is good looking, smart, funny, charming… and utterly without conscience when it comes to his “hobby”. Dexter’s favourite thing to do is to find, stalk and eliminate people those he thinks the world is better off without. He

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adheres to a strict code of who lives and who dies, and an even stricter code of acting and appearing normal. For Dexter, the art of blending in isn’t just a social tool; it is survival in itself since it is those who blend so well who live to play the longest.

These books have been made into a series on the Showtime Network with CBS also optioning the seasons. Dexter is best loved serial killer on TV and in print. www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 147

SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

playNICE

BY ADAM VOLK

Inversion

Publisher Saber Interactive | Developer Namco Bandai Games Platforms XPlayStation 3, Xbox 360 There’s an old physics expression that states: it’s not the fall that kills you, it’s the sudden stop on the way down. That’s pretty much the premise behind Inversion, a third-person shooter that offers a now standard run n’ gun premise with an anti-gravity twist. Set in the futuristic - and incredibly generic - Vanguard City, you play as a trigger happy super cop. The hook is that the environments around you will occasionally revert to zero gravity, with rooftops turning into ground floors and the sides of buildings literally twisting out from under you. It’s an interesting prem-

ise in theory, but unfortunately its execution leaves something to be desired. Instead, what you get is a rehash of the now formulaic duck and cover gameplay mechanic, with the gravity concept never really properly explored. The game also relies a little too much on recycled boss battles and an all-too brief single player campaign. Two player co-op takes some of the sting out the experience, but the game is still a contrived shooter that borrows liberally from other, better shooters like Gears of War and Dead Space.

Gravity can really suck sometimes, but so too can the painfully mediocre gameplay of Inversion.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Publisher Traveller’s Tales | Developer Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Platforms PS3, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 Holy choking hazard, Batman! There’s a new LEGO game available now across all consoles!

Yes, it’s time for another Batman LEGO game and this time out the Dark Knight and his trusty, tighty whitey-wearing sidekick Robin, are joining forces with the Justice League to battle Lex Luthor and a legion of bad guys. Like other entries in the LEGO series, gameplay is a pretty standard platformer, where you bash enemies, leap over obstacles and collect LEGO pieces in order to unlock new items and characters. It’s the latter – along with the cutesy cartoon style – that

makes the game so insanely addictive, as you’ll find LEGOized versions of popular DC Comics’ characters, including Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. As with previous LEGO games, there’s also the option to take to the streets of Gotham in two-player, split-screen coop, with the experience getting a little more juice thanks to larger open world environments. The end result is a fun, frenetic and family-friendly LEGO game that will have both comic book nerds and kids alike kicking a little block-shaped super villain butt.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown

Publisher Sega-AM2 | Developer Sega | Platforms PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 The Virtua Fighter franchise may be the ugly, button mashing step-sister to the Street Fighter series, but it’s also one of the most endearing arcade brawlers of all time. While Street Fighter offers rapid-fire fireballs and forty move combos, Virtua Fighter opts for the slightly more realistic approach, requiring timing, patience and mastering a staggering number of possible attack moves.

Enter Virtua Fighter 5 Showdown, which isn’t so much a new addition to the series as it a polished variant of the original Virtua Fighter 5 (which was actually released back in 2006). That’s not to say

this latest downloadable arcade iteration is old. On the contrary, the game’s been given a much needed visual facelift as well as some novel tweaks to gameplay. That being said, noobies to the series should probably stay clear, as Showdown is designed almost entirely for the series’ hardcore fan base, offering a variety of complex new modes to choose from and the option to take on other experienced players around the world online. Virtua Fighter might be one arcade button masher that’s getting a little long in the tooth, but as Showdown proves, it’s also still got more than a few moves left up its sleeve.

Lollipop Chainsaw

Publisher Grasshopper Manufacture | Developer Warner Bros. Interactive Platforms Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Let’s just get this out of the way now. Lollipop Chainsaw is cheesy, sexist, violent and also terribly, terribly dumb. Yet at the same time it’s also a shockingly fun experience. Immature gamers will geek-out over the zombie decapitations and T&A, while those of with – ahem – more sophisticated digital pallets will almost ashamedly admit liking it. The game focuses on a zombie hunting cheerleader named Juliet who, as the title suggests, enjoys both lollipops and chainsaws. The plot is B-movie cheesiness at its 148 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

finest, with a dash of Buffy the Vampire Slayer thrown in for measure. Gameplay relies on a tried and true hack n’ slash formula, as Juliet slices and dices her way through hordes of undead enemies with both her trusty chainsaw and – wait for it – a pair of magical pom poms.

If it sounds moronic, that’s because it is. But it’s also incredibly fun, with button mashing action that will keep you hooked and a tongue-incheek/lollipop tone that truly puts the “shame” in shamelessly entertaining.

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

watch out

BY ADAM VOLK

Release dates based on amazon.co.uk

John Carter | DVD & Blu-ray | 132 mins Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton Release Date: July 2nd Right now, Disney’s Scrooge McDuck-style vault contains a gaping $200 million dollar black hole. It’s name? John Carter. Okay, so the film might have been a complete financial disaster for the House of Mouse, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a terrible film. In fact, on paper John Carter sounds like a win-win proposition. Directed

by Pixar head-honcho Andrew Stanton (part of the brain trust behind hits like Finding Nemo and WALL-E), the film is a big screen retelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic pulp novels. The titular John Carter (played by perennial pretty boy Taylor

Kitsch) is a U.S. Confederate Army soldier who finds himself transported to ancient Mars where he’s soon embroiled in a civil war and engaging in various feats of swashbuckling daring do. Unfortunately, the plot is a bit of a convoluted mess that wallows a little too much in its source material. The special effects, of course, are fantastic, but John Carter’s heart and humanity gets buried under tedious plot exposition and heavyhanded dialogue. At best, John Carter is mildly entertaining, which is a little sad considering Mickey probably had to remortgage the Magic Kingdom to pay for it.

Young Adult | DVD & Blu-ray | 94 mins Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson Release Date: June 25th Growing up is hard to do. And for some people, it’s damn near impossible. That’s pretty much the case with Mavis Gary (played to perfection by Charlize Theron), a self-absorbed human train wreck and the protagonist of director Jason Reitman’s Young Adult.

Eking out a meaningless existence of one-night stands and binge drinking, Mavis is also the author of a series of once popular young adult books. But when she returns home to small town Minnesota to try and reunite with her high school

sweetheart, it sets in motion a series of painfully awkward moments which forces her to examine her own empty wine cooler of a life. With a razor sharp and darkly comedic script from Academy Award-winner Diablo Cody, the film’s story really does the impossible, offering up an absolutely horrible human being who you also can’t help but pity and root for. The end result is a smart, funny, sad and surprisingly poignant film that proves just because you’ve finally licked puberty, doesn’t mean you’re all grown up.

21 Jump Street

| DVD & Blu-ray | 109 mins Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Dave Franco Release Date: July 9th Some things should really be left in the 80s. Just look at Joan Rivers, leg warmers and the musical styling’s of Wham!. Which is why at first glance, a big screen adaptation of the 80s cult TV hit 21 Jump Street seems like a really bad idea.

Surprisingly, however, the film manages to be entertaining, action packed and very, very funny, thanks to a cleverly self-referential script and spot on performances from Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. The story follows two lovable loser cops who find themselves drafted into an undercover police unit designed to infiltrate criminal

organizations within high schools (a program which even their captain admits was “recycled from the 80s because people ran out of good ideas”). They’re soon trying to get to the bottom of a deadly drug ring while balancing home work, underage drinking and of course, a few obligatory shootouts and car chases.

The script could have been a complete disaster, but instead wisely acknowledges its own paper thin premise and plays it up for laughs. It’s the film that Pineapple Express really should have been, turning 80s TV fromage into a pitch perfect stoner actioncomedy.

Carnage

| DVD & Blu-ray | 80 mins Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christopher Waltz Release Date: June 25th

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Kids can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. Just ask the four parents in the film Carnage. Based on the play by French writer Yasmina Reza and directed by controversial auteur Roman Polanski, the film follows two sets of uptight New York City parents whose young sons have been involved in a violent schoolyard altercation. With the entire film taking place within a single Manhattan apartment, what starts out as a civil conversation between sophisticated adults soon degenerates into an all-out grudge match every bit as juvenile

and hilarious as something you’d see on the playground (complete with name calling, smacking and projectile vomiting). The film is rife with sharp dialogue and an intriguing premise, but it can also be a little too precious at times - probably working better as a play.

That being said, the brilliant performances from the film’s four leads are worth the price of admission.

Kids these days can be a real handful, but as Carnage proves, sometimes their parents can be even worse.

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OUT+ABOUT

GREENFUN IN THE SUN

BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

LEBANON’S GARDEN SHOW AND SPRING FESTIVAL SHOWS A GREEN ATTITUDE AND PRESENTS BEIRUT WITH OUR VERY OWN ROSE

“

T

he rain baptized the show,” said Myriam Shuman, in reference to the sudden early morning downpour on the opening day of her annual show. The elements certainly seem to love her; the sunrays came out shining in force as Beiruties flocked to the show. Shuman launched the show nine years ago in collaboration with Joumana Dammous Salamé, managing director, Hospitality Services. “This year the show is even bigger, there are more plants, more events and for the first time, a photo competition called ‘Portraits of Gardeners’,” said Dammous Salamé.

This year the show had 225 exhibitors and a wide choice of sections such as the art of gardening, outdoor activities, Souk el Tayeb farmer’s market, handicrafts, and a kid’s area. The show is all about the great outdoors, so Kinda Bitar, landscape engineer, author and presenter of the “Ard w Ward” TV program was on hand to show off her green thumbs and give tips on all sorts of fauna and flora issues.

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The Beirut Rose was launched at the show, and it is a gorgeous pink and emits a sweet scent. This collaboration between French rose producer Meilland and Robinson Agri has been three years in the making according to Rana Hassan, agricultural engineer at Robinson Agri. “The municipality of Beirut has already ordered a quantity and have planted them in Martyr Square. This is the first rose created uniquely for our country.”

This year’s theme of the show was The Green Attitude and Soumy Risk, sales and marketing manager of ME Green, was showcasing an eco house that runs on sustainable resources. “Our own office works sorely on wind turbines and photo voltaic panels, no electricity,” enthused Risk.

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

“Unlike solar panels the photovoltaic can generate electricity for all of the home.” She admits that it is still rather expensive for the average Lebanese to adopt this system “but, in 2014 net metering will be hopefully introduced,” so the future looks bright.

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT

CREATING EXPOSURE’

GIANT CACTUS, STONE SCULPTURES AND EVENT 81 year-old painter Sami Rifai, an intriguing landscape architect and the president of Golden Rose International, exhibited his cool stone sculptures within a garden of giant cactus. “Both have a strong personality that’s why I decided to place them in unison,” he said. Rifai professes to have the fifth largest collection of cactus in the world; his oldest cactus is 150 years old.

Green Hand, a Lebanese NGO, brought together a number of Lebanese traditional handicraft artisans at the show to interact with the public. “It is all about creating exposure,” said Zahar Redwan, president and executive manager, Green Hand, and executive manager of the syndicate of Lebanese craftsmen.

And, Nayla Bassili, a patron of Lebanese designers, gathered the county’s best to exhibit their crafts based on the outdoor theme. “This year there are thirty-five artists participating and as usual they are really impressing the public with their talent. There will [also] be an event painter here later to paint the happenings on the spot,” said Bassili. Official photographer? Forget it, the latest trend seems to be an event painter!

The 9th edition of the Garden Show & Spring Festival 2012 took place on the grounds of the Beirut Hippodrome, from May 29 – June 2 2012

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Fauna and farming are all the rage it seems right now and becoming an agricultural engineer is a sought after profession. USEK was just one of the universities present to introduce their agriculture programs. “In Lebanon more students are turning to agricultural studies,” said Eddy Tabet, professor of agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, USEK. “And, we are seeing more students of agriculture as the sector progresses,” he said against a stunning backdrop of dangling empty wine bottles filled with flower stems, sure to attract prospective students.

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ABOVE: BARRA LIGHTHOUSE IN SALVADOR DE BAHIA

H

ighly attractive from a distance, spirit-shattering when seen up close, the city of Salvador juts out into the Bay of All Saints, stretching clear across the Atlantic Ocean into the palms of Yoruba culture, into modern-day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Once the dark, colonial capital of Brazil is today a cheerful, modern city of more than two million.

Most of the colonial treasures are scattered in The Upper City, perched atop a high bluff, overlooking the bay and industrial buildings of the Lower City. The Lacerda Elevator, in all its Art Deco splendor, connects the two. When African slaves first arrived to the marketplace, “Mercado Modelo” with their arts and crafts, and strong postures, they took the elevator up through rugged terrain, disembarking in the Upper City neighborhood of Pelourinho, “The Pillory.” They set cobblestone in the street ways and coated municipal buildings in plaster, in softened stucco, before carving out Baroque and

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Rococo ornamentation. In the center of their colonial capital, on the main square of Terreiro de Jesus, they built The Museu Afro-Brasileiro. Within its pallid hallways hang postcards of Bahia’s unique Afrocentric culture, touching upon Candomblé, Capoeira and carnival. Candomblé draws inspiration from the African Diaspora, but it mainly features aspects of Yoruba Orishá veneration that is associated with Roman Catholicism. Capoeira, a Brazilian mixture of nonviolent martial arts, interactive dance, and musical comedy, was adopted during the transatlantic slave trade. The cultural dance of spinning, acrobatic bends, leveraged by leg

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

TAKE ME WITH YOU

SUNNY

PLAYGROUND

OF THEANCIENTS

SALVADOR, BAHIA

BY ALICE HLIDKOVA

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TAKE ME WITH YOU BEYOND ITS COMPLEX, COLONIAL HISTORY, PELOURINHO EVOKES A CERTAIN FUNDAMENTALIST PARADISE sweeps, and accompanied by percussion instruments, traces its flow from Bahia to Berlin, New York and Australia. Carnival, rooted in the Saturnalia pagan festival, adapted to Christianity, not only became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious practice, but a showcase of samba schools dancing to Afrocentric music of frevo, maracatu, and samba-reggae.

Beyond its complex, colonial history, Pelourinho evokes a certain fundamentalist paradise. On many of its pastel-colored street corners, slender townhouses slope down without warning, then ramp up with prominence into the sky. One minute the bulbous spires of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos are at your feet; the next, sky-blue façades of another church, vibrate with the sounds of the Yorubanlanguage mass. Local Jesuits, robed in white and blue fabric, smile endlessly, handing out beads during Carnival in hopes of stealing a kiss. Children grab hands nearby the azure tiles in the beautiful convent of São Francisco depicting Lisbon, before the earthquake of 1755. Everywhere samba and reggae accost visitors, who are too busy studying the immortal Renaissance architecture.

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Pelourinho’s stunning wonderland is acclaimed with the smell and taste of Bahiano cuisine. Racially-mixed “mulatas” commonly serve food fried in dendê. Reedy, young waitresses fry pastries and meats in the highly saturated palm oil for a crispier finish. Mixing dendê in traditional seafood stews loaded with onion, garlic, parsley, and hot-pepper sauce, and cooked in coconut milk, they send taste buds into overdrive. Bustier female chefs, dressed in traditional white headwrap and full dress, dish out their famous acarajés, deep-fried, mashed-bean sandwiches, filled with yellow porridge of shrimp, garlic, cashews, coconut, and more dendê. But the option of drinking cachaça, the national firewater made from distilled sugarcane, soaks many to the gills, flushing out their oil-coated tongues.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: EXTERIOR OF CHURCH, PRAIA DO FORTE BEACH IN SALVADOR DE BAHIA (OPPOSITE PAGE), PARIAI DO FORTE BEACHE, A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE 50 MILES NORTH OF SALVADOR PELOURINHO, TOURIST POINT

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TAKE ME WITH TAKE MEYOUWITH YOU

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OPPOSITE PAGE: MERCADO MODELO, SALVADOR DE BAHIA AT NIGHT CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TRADITIONAL CLOTHING, OLD FORTRESS, PORTO DA BARRA, PORTO SEGURO BEACH, YEMANJA PARTY, AFROBRAZILIAN CULTURE

THE CALM INLET OF PORTO DA BARRA BEACH IS LIKE NO OTHER URBAN SHORELINE IN THE WORLD. SET WITHIN THE BAY, PORTO DA BARRA BECAME BAHIA’S FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT The historic district is more or less policed; a decade ago knife stabbings were as common as selling acarajé. The Liberdade shantytown clings impossibly to a large eroding hill nearby, where roughly sixty percent of the population lives. The remainder flocks to the coast, to the wealthy neighborhood of Barra, bristled with sleek, heavily-guarded skyscrapers that evoke Miami on a shoestring. The calm inlet of Porto da Barra beach is like no other urban shoreline in the world. Set within the bay, Porto da Barra became Bahia’s first European settlement, Vila Velha, or the Old Village. Nearby Farol da Barra, is a surfer’s haven, where a great lighthouse was built, named after the Pharos Island off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. Its lighthouse was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A dart thrown across the Baia de Todos os Santos (All Saint’s Bay) lands on the islands of Itaparica and Morro de Sao Paulo. The perfect crescents of white backed by shades of green are easily accessible by a short ferry ride. Across palm fringed sand, wealthier Brazilians built summer homes, sunbathing by day, driving four-wheelers by night. They paid reverent honor to their joyous city, “Capital da Algeria,” by toasting with cocktails of Caipirinha and singing into the early hours of the morning. In January, they extended their worship on the steps of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Salvador’s most sacrosanct church, where they washed the stone in dedication to Oxalá, one of the highest deities of the Candomblé religion. Many of them prayed and left their valuables inside the Room of Miracles, decorated with body parts, wooden and plastic dolls, gold jewelry, hanging from the ceiling like chandeliers.

In all its joy and sorrow, Salvador is a treasure chest dumping ground of stolen riches from Portugal and other parts of the world. A cradle for African rituals expressed by the perilous human condition marking the colonial era. Blood is smeared on cobblestone. Footprints are wiped after pilgrimage. Pockets of deserted white sand lapped with turquoise water are revisited. Beyond Salvador’s witness to all three, hides greater truths waiting to be unfolded J U LY 2 0 1 2

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

DALIDA DOES IT BETTER

BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

I

f you think you’ve seen everything Lebanese cuisine had to offer, you clearly haven’t paid Beirut’s new local restaurant a visit. Located in the narrow Rue du Liban, Dalida distinguishes itself by serving both modern and traditional Lebanese food.

With grey shades and touches of pink, tables that seem to float above the chairs, naked light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and a mix of couches and three-legged chairs, the restaurant plays the modern design card. The use of velvet and the retro golden mirrors and empty frames give the place a cozy last-century boudoir look, while the embedded lighting coming from the couches place it right back in 2012.

Upon entering, you are welcomed by one of the friendly waiters, taken to your table and offered a basket of freshly baked saj bread and olives while you browse the menu. Divided like every traditional Lebanese restaurant’s menu, it offers a selection of cold and hot mezze, salads and grilled items, but Dalida also offers sandwiches and daily “tabekh” dishes like

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Siyyadiyeh (spiced rice and fish served with a special sauce). The main difference resides in the wilder selection and the imagination Dalida brings to some of the dishes: grilled Halloumi skewers served with pesto sauce or the Lahme Ras Asfour prepared with soya sauce.

Dalida tops its hummus with “Muhammara”, a spicy red pepper dip mixed with breadcrumbs, walnuts and pomegranate syrup and serves its baby eggplant pickles with garlic, walnuts and labneh, yet keeps the shawarma sandwich the way we all like it, with just the right amount of garlic tarator and the slightly sour spices. The labneh is the standard as well with a few mint leaves and a dash of olive oil, and the Makanek sausages with pomegranate syrup, the only way they should be served.

The jewel of Dalida comes at the end of your meal: you will not find better Lebanese inspired desserts in Beirut.

Order and share one of these three: the cheesecake topped with melted Raha – which to me is as much a culinary feat as it is a feast to my taste buds,

the Tart bil Halawa, with a taste of banana, chocolate and halawa altogether and last but not least, their special “Tarboush Karabish”. It’s a deconstructed Tarboush (formerly known as Ras el Abed) on a 555 Ghandour biscuit, that will bring your childhood memories flooding back.

THE

+

+ SETTING Dalida is a modern place that still emits a warm and welcoming vibe. + VALUE Their most expensive mezze items max out at 12000LBP making Dalida affordable without compromising quality and freshness. + SERVICE The waiters pamper you without lingering over your head while you eat.

THE - A few items on the menu are still not available – they shouldn’t mention it on the menu until we can order the items

Dalida Contemporary Restaurant Rue du Liban, Achrafieh, Beirut 01333306 info@dalidabeirut.com www.dalidabeirut.com (under construction) dalidabeirut THE SHINING RAYS @DalidaBeirut

ISSUE

A special time deserves a special place.

As dusk falls, celebrate Iftar with us and enjoy dining for LBP 50,000 per person.

For every Iftar, Crowne Plaza Beirut will donate LBP 1000 to support several charitable foundations.

Crowne Plaza Beirut For reservation call 00961 1754 755 or visit www.crowneplaza.com/beirut

Entertainment from Thursday till Sunday.

Above price is exclusive of 10%VAT. Special rates available for groups.

Children below 12 dine for free.

Children between 12 -18 receive 50% discount.

Š 2012 InterContinental Hotels Group. All Rights Reserved.

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

SPOTLIGHT ON

ARMENIAN

CUISINE

BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

TWO WOMEN SET OUT ON A JOURNEY THROUGH EASTERN TURKEY TO EXPLORE THE ROOTS OF A CULINARY CULTURE

A

vibrant, cheerful redhead, Aline Kamakian’s relaxed and friendly composure belies the fact that she is a first-rate restaurateur who is reinventing Armenian cuisine. Not one to rest on her laurels, she has now written a book on the food of her ancestors with anthropologist Barbara Drieskens.

Aline’s passion for food stems from childhood days spent in the kitchen with her mum. “In my family, and among Armenians in general, the big table with lots of dishes shared with family and friends is absolutely central,” says Aline. “This is the heart of the family, the place where we feel at home and my mother and aunts have always been proud of their recipes that they received from their mothers and grandmothers.”

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It was her father’s dream to have a restaurant where his friends and family could gather to enjoy good Armenian food. So one day during a family lunch in 2003, Aline and her cousin Serge decided to do just that: open a restaurant.

Both of them are passionate cooks, but did not know a thing about the restaurant business. Fortunately, what started out as a fun venture turned into a success story and the gorgeous traditional house in Gemmayzeh, which houses their restaurant Mayrig, is a firm hit.

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

With the restaurant being such a success Aline became convinced that she should publish a collection of her mother’s recipes. She had a vision, but admits that she did not know how to write. It was with Barbara, her Taiji instructor and friend, that the idea for a book began to take shape. “It was through her that the book started to become tangible; until then it had been just a dream,” says Aline. Barbara had already published several books and supported her to make it more than just a cookbook, but rather “a kind of ambassador of the Armenian culinary culture.”

Together, they set out on a 2,800 km journey through Eastern Turkey, “a journey full of anger and tears, full of deceptions too. I had been naively convinced that we’d find Armenians there, people to talk to, to ask about recipes,” said Aline. They discovered that most families who still live in Eastern Turkey had changed their name and their religion, even forgotten the language of their ancestors. But, in Istanbul they met many Armenians who told their stories and shared recipes.

Armenian Cuisine is filled to the brim with clear and comprehensive recipes

accompanied by stunning photos taken

by Dutch photographer Vinnie Volkerijk of food, landscapes and people they met on their voyage. The recipes stem from Cilcia, the land between Mount Ararat and Kayseri in Eastern Turkey and Armenian classics such as itch and mante, as are some more unusual recipes, plus Aline’s family specialties such as printzov keufte, a rice kebbeh stuffed with minced meat.

Aline and Barbara’s work is a true labor of love resulting in comprehensive recipes, but also some deep soul searching, shining through the words on the first pages. “The land still brings forward all the rich and tasty ingredients of our recipes: the best pepper paste, the juiciest aubergines, the best meat, honey, milk and cheese… They were the most tangible and vivid traces we found of the Armenians who used to live there.” Armenian Cuisine highlights the delicious, often ignored cuisine, and the folks behind it. “We want to help conserve the memory of ingredients and their preparation, but the art of coking goes beyond this. This book is intended as a tribute to the Armenian people and their history, and to the mothers who give their families a sense of belonging and gather them around well-filled tables.”

‘

I HAD BEEN NAIVELY CONVINCED THAT WE’D FIND ARMENIANS [IN TURKEY], PEOPLE TO TALK TO, TO ASK ABOUT RECIPES

’

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: MEZZE, SALTY COOKIES, SOUJOUK OPPOSITE PAGE: ASSORTED VEGETABLES STUFFED WITH RICE

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

SUMMER

REFRESHMENT

BY LARA ARISS

Each edition of RAGMAG Lara Ariss will present a meal in several courses that you can try at home. Lara trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, England.

For this issue of RAGMAG, Lara has given a selection of recipes that make up your perfect summer table.

For more great ideas, check her out on the web http://www.bylara.me @laraariss bylara

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THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

STRAWBERRY

LEMONADE INGREDIENTS •Zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips •450 grams granulated sugar •300 grams chopped strawberries •450 ml fresh lemon juice (from about 10 large lemons) •1/4 teaspoon salt PREPARATION TIME 45 MINUTES COOKING TIME 15 MINUTES MAKES 1 PITCHER

METHOD

For the lemon syrup

• Over medium heat, in a medium sized saucepan bring the lemon zest, 300 grams sugar and 300 grams water to a boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.

• Let cool to room temperature.

• While the lemon syrup cools, make the strawberry syrup.

For the strawberry syrup

• Toss the strawberries and the remaining 150 grams sugar in a bowl and let sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes.

• Strain the strawberry mixture.

• Reserve the strawberry syrup and berries separately.

Make the lemonade

• Combine the lemon juice, lemon syrup, salt and 600 grams cold water in a pitcher.

• Add 6 tablespoons strawberry syrup.

• Fill the pitcher with ice, and then top with the lemonade and some of the reserved strawberries.

SPINACH DIP

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 8

GRILLED ASPARAGUS + BABY CORN INGREDIENTS for spinach dip

INGREDIENTS for Grilled Asparagus + Baby Corn

•1 onion, finely chopped •1 tablespoon olive oil •2 garlic cloves, finely chopped •500 grams spinach •200 grams cream cheese •Salt and pepper, to taste

•400 grams asparagus •400 grams baby corn •1 tablespoon olive oil •Salt and pepper, to season

METHOD • Sauté the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Stir in the sliced garlic cloves, and then add the spinach, stir until wilted.

Leave to cool.

• In the meantime preheat a barbecue grill.

• Place asparagus, and corn in a large bowl, drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

• Cook on grill, turning occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until tender crisp.

• Go back to the spinach dip, whizz the spinach mixture in a food processor with the cream cheese, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste.

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

GREEN

SALAD

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 - 15 MINUTES SERVES 8

INGREDIENTS •Variation of dried lettuce leaves •Handful watercress •2 small onion, roughly chopped •2 ripe avocados

DRESSING •2 garlic cloves, crushed •1 teaspoon salt •1 teaspoon Dijon mustard •1½ white wine vinegar •4½ tablespoons olive oil

METHOD

• Select the crispest leaves of leaves and arrange them in a salad bowl.

• Add in the watercress.

• Cut the avocados from top to bottom, discard the stone.

Cut each half in half, if the avocados are very ripe the skins will peel away. Place over the lettuce and watercress and toss well.

Salad dressing

• In a small bowl combine the garlic, salt and mustard.

Stir in the vinegar followed by the olive oil. Transfer to a screw-top jar and shake vigorously. Pour over the salad, mix well to give it a good coating.

HERB

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 - 15 MINUTES SERVES 8

GARLIC LOAF INGREDIENTS

•1 loaf of French bread

HERB BUTTER •75 grams salted butter, at room temperature •2 garlic cloves, crushed •2 tablespoons fresh herbs, finely chopped (chives, tarragon and thyme) •2 tablespoons dried mixed herbs

METHOD • Preheat oven to 200 C. • Mix the butter, garlic, fresh and dried herbs and set aside.

• Using a sharp bread knife, make diagonal incisions along the loaf, do not slice through as the loaf should stay together at the base.

• Using your hands spread the butter mixture on each side of the slice and spread any remaining butter on the top.

• Wrap the load in aluminum foil and place it on a baking tray.

• Bake for about 10 – 15 minutes, best served hot 164 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

DOWNTOWN ABC|DBAYEH| ABC|ASHRAFIEH| HAMRA KASLIK MZAAR|KFARDEBIAN| VERDUN CITY MALL LE MALL|SIN EL FIL| JAL EL DIB SPINNEYS|HAZMIEH| JBEIL ZAITUNAY BAY

Rajeuni...

eyedigits.com

Notre Menu

J U LY 2 0 1 2

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RAGMAG

ASTRO

Zodiac forecasts FROM JONATHAN CAINER

July.2012

IN MID-JULY, BEGINS ONE OF ITS SHORT PHASES OF RETROGRADE MOTION. WE HAD ONE BACK IN . THERE’S ANOTHER IN . WHENEVER WIRES GET CROSSED OR PLANS COME UNSTUCK, GETS BLAMED... EVEN WHEN IT ISN’T AT ! SOME BELIEVE IT’S BAD TO DO DEALS OR SIGN CONTRACTS AT SUCH TIMES. APPARENTLY, WAS RECENTLY ADVISED TO CANCEL PART OF HER TOUR BECAUSE OF THIS MONTH’S . I WOULD HAVE TOLD HER NOT TO WORRY. PEOPLE WHO MAKE SOFTWARE APPS MAY HAVE PROBLEMS THIS MONTH - BUT ’S WILL PROVE FAR WORSE THAN ITS .

PATRICK STEWART

JULIE ORDON

LEO

July 24 - August 23 Your head wants one thing; your heart wants another. How are you supposed to reconcile these two conflicting forces? What advice would you like me to give you? Should I be poetic? Should I tell you to trust what you feel, even if it doesn’t seem to be logical? Or would it be more responsible of me to steer you towards realism and encourage you to think more clearly. There! Your confusion has confused me! Who else might it confuse soon? You need to reach a compromise with yourself in July. The good news is, you can.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

CANCER June 23 - July 23

VIRGO

We live in a crazy world full of crazy people following insane agendas. We take this in our stride. That’s just what life is like. When has it ever been any different? We have long since learned to see the ludicrous as ordinary and the nonsensical as normal. Yet, for some strange reason, we nurture a romantic fantasy about some more sensible existence that we might one day lead. Will everything in your life fall into its right and proper place in July? Of course not.

But some of it will, and that will make you surprisingly happy.

August 24 - September 23 At last, you can stop. Finally, you can breathe out. Mars has left your sign.

That constant sense of stress and pressure has begun to release its grip on you. The further into July you go, the more relaxed you will begin to feel.

The less trouble you will encounter.

The less urgency you will experience.

The more you will become able to enjoy yourself. Is this the calm before the storm? No. The storm has passed. This is the calm before a further period of calm - and release - and comfort - and contentment - and peace.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

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THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

September 24 - October 23 July brings the arrival of Mars in your sign.

It has been some while since you last felt so motivated, determined, purposeful and potentially powerful. There may be many obstacles in your way but you can get past them, over them, under them or through them.

Or at least, you can as long as these are difficulties created by other people.

Whether your opponents and adversaries are acting consciously or stupidly, you can triumph - but not if you trip yourself up by becoming too hasty, too harsh or too heartless.

October 24 - November 22 Various traditions tell us different stories about how the world was made. But no matter how deeply you dig into legend, you will never find the answer to the most important mystery of creation. On the day of the ‘big bang’ - or the summoning of the light - or the awakening of the spirits, what did the Supreme Being have for breakfast? We don’t know!

And if we don’t know that, how sure can we be of anything else? July brings you a similarly unanswerable question. Don’t waste this precious month trying to answer it. Let it be.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

WWW.CAINER.COM

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

November 23 - December 21 Where is the escape hatch? Or the ejector seat? Where is the little button that you can press if you want to get rapidly out of one situation and then float gently down into another with a nice safe parachute to break your fall?

There will be moments in July, when you can’t help but wonder whether somehow you are failing to see the obvious.

You may even find yourself striving to look beyond the obvious in your effort to engineer a much-needed change. It can happen. Indeed, it is happening. But slowly!

PISCES

December 22 - January 20 Sometimes, a situation may seem safe, welcoming and inviting, yet for some reason you can see only some unsatisfactory aspect of an arrangement.

Then you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this just me? Am I finding fault unnecessarily? Or have I identified a real cause for concern?

What if this is my intuition, telling me to look more carefully at what’s going on?’

In July, you may have that feeling. You may, indeed, have already had it for a while. Soon, you will see what’s really wrong and then everything will get better.

January 21 - February 19 They say, ‘There is no gain without pain.’

So, is the opposite true? Is there no pain without gain? Not unless you are a masochist! Even then, there may be some kinds of pain that it is simply impossible for anyone to endure, let alone enjoy - and from which no benefit can ever be attained.

As with physical pain, so with emotional angst and material discomfort. If something doesn’t feel good in July, try by all means to look for the hidden blessing.

Should you be unable to find it, take this month’s opportunity to change it.

February 20 - March 20 Imagine being so worried about trouble that you dedicate your life to keeping it at bay. You don’t leave your home unless you are wearing full body armour. Even then, you hire guards lest your property is stolen. You arm yourself with incriminating information about everyone in case anyone attacks you. Etc. What is all this going to lead to? You guessed it: trouble! I’m not suggesting that you are this way inclined but one part of you in July is most apprehensive.

Don’t seek protection, seek reassurance and you will find it.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

ARIES

TAURUS

March 21 - April 20 Mars, your ruler, is usually quite quick to pass through each zodiac sign. It completes an orbit of the sun once every couple of years, so it tends to enter a new sector of the sky once every six weeks to two months. But every so often, it hangs around in one area.

Since November last year, you have been experiencing the effect of just such a phenomenon. Mars finally moves on in July and so does your life. Now, at last, you can do deals and resolve problems that have been hanging over you for too long.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

J U LY 2 0 1 2

GEMINI

April 21 - May 21 Your relationship with the material world often exasperates you. You tend to come close to success, yet just when you ought to be able to seal a deal or seize a chance, you end up feeling thwarted because life just isn’t letting you complete a process or capitalise on an asset.

Even on the odd occasion when you do get what you have been hoping for, you are inclined to see this as a fluke. July doesn’t just bring a pleasing development; it brings an understanding of how to gain more such advantages in future.

May 22 - June 22 Before the days of ‘movies on demand’, most of us grew up listening to stories.

We would be regaled with tales of legendary figures from our culture and folklore. Kings, queens, heroes, heroines and various deities; good and evil. Their stories were different - but one thing they all had in common was struggle.

Back in the time when gods walked among us (or was it vice versa?) nobody ever had it easy. That bit hasn’t changed!

Or has it? July brings you reasons to feel blessed like the star of some happy fairytale.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

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BRAINFOOD ROUND #1

ROUND #2

Trivia

ROUND #3

Science and Tech

1. In a US Court, what does a

witness take if he/she wishes to remain silent?

2. Of what bird is it said that a

sailor will have bad luck if he kills it?

3. What is the circumference of a

there in a Hectare?

5. What dessert’s name means

1. Which Amercian President said:

2. Conduction and Radiation are

2. Which poet wrote: “T’is better to

3. Some vehicles are said to be

3. Which French millitary leader said:

microwaves in a microwave oven? two of the means of transferring heat. What is the third called? fitted with DOHC. What does DOHC mean?

4. If something is subjected to a

Australia?

7. What is the name of the girl of

Lebanese heritage who was chosen as Miss USA recently?

on bullets that are produced by the rifling in the barrel of a gun?

6. What are the four strokes in a

“Philip Morris” displayed?

7. What company is now advertising as having produced the 1st LED 3D TV?

8. Two measurments, one is 9

9. What is the word used to

indicate that a person has been made a saint?

10. What is the largest country in country in the world that has only one time zone?

2. Prior to 1995, who was the last British Prime Minister that did not have a wife?

3. The Gulf of Bothnia seperates Finland from which country?

4. What was the name of the North Sea oil rig that was completely destroyed by fire in 1998?

are drunk. Yes Mme, but in the morning I will be sober”. Who was 5. What name is shared by a lake in speaking to Lady Astor?

Africa and a state in Australia?

5. Who said, “All the world’s a stage, 6. In what year was Hong Kong and all men and women are merely players”.

returned to Chinese rule?

6. “Every man loves 2 women, one

four stroke engine?

8. Where will you find the name

have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”?

1. What’s the capital of Ethiopia?

4. “Mme you are ugly. Sir, you

pressure of 3 bars, how many pounds/square inch is that?

6. What is the national airline of

“I am not a crook”?

“A picture is worth a thousand words”?

5. What is the term given to marking

“Burnt Cream”?

History and Geography

1. What device produces the

standard CD in cms?

4. How many square meters are

ROUND #4

Famous Quotes

square meters and the other is 9 meters square. Which is bigger?

9. What is the name of the force

produced by a rotating motion?

10. How long does it take for blood to circulate the human body?

is the creation of his imagination and the other is not yet born”.

Which Lebanese poet said that?

7. “I have nothing to declare but my

genius”. Whose words are these?

7. What natural feature lies

between the two Great Lakes of Ontario and Erie?

8. Who disposed King Idris in 1969?

9. The city of Naples is built around the base of what volcano?

8. Which actress said, “Women can

fake orgasms but men can fake a whole relationship”?

10 Which of the Queen’s children was the first to get married?

9. “I have not failed, I’ve just found a thousand ways that dont work”.

Which scientist said that?

EASY

6 7 8

8 3 5 5 2 6 4 8 1 8 5 3 9 7 5 6 9 7 5 8 2 7 1 3 2 6

1

5 9

4

8

8 6 2

8 2

9

4 5 1 2 7

7 4 2 3 5 8 1

4 8 1 3

7

6 9 5

2 1 6

7 6 1 3 9 1 8 3

5

8 1

8 4

7

5 3 1

7

ROUND#1 1. Fifth Ammendment 2. Albatros 3. 37.7 cms 4. 10,000 5. Creme Brulée 6. QANTAS 7. Rima Fakih

8. Marlboro, Benson & Hedges, Parliament, Virginia Slims and Merit 9.Canonized 10. China ROUND#2 1. Magnetron 2. Convection 3. Double Overhead Cam 4. 44.1 lbs/sq.in 5. Striations 6. Induction, Compression, Ignition and Exhaust 7. Samsung 8. G9 meters square is bigger 9. Centrifugal 10. 23 seconds ROUND#3 1. Richard Nixon 2. Alfred Tennyson 3. Napoleon Bonaparte 4. Winston Churchill 5. William Shakespeare 6. Khalil Gibran 7. Oscar Wilde 8. Sharon Stone 9. Thomas Edison ROUND#4 1. Addis Ababa 2. Margaret Thatcher 3. Sweden 4. Piper Alpha 5. Victoria 6. 1997 7. Niagara Falls 8. Colonel Gadaffi 9. Vesuvius 10. Princess Anne 1 4 1 3 5 9 6 8 2 7 8 2 4 3 7 5 9

6 6 9 7 2 4 1 5 3 1 8 3 5 9 8 7

7 5 8 8 3 4 9 2 7 5 3 4 2 6 1 6 1

9 2 7 4 6 3 8 1 5 8 1 6 9 5 4 2 7 3

2 9 5 6 1 7 7 5 3 4 4 9 6 1 2 8 8 3

8 8 3 1 4 5 2 9 3 6 7 7 9 1 6 5 4

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3 4 4 2 7 1 1 8 6 9 5 5 7 8 3 9 2

5 7 2 5 9 6 3 4 9 8 2 1 8 7 4 1 6

1 3 6 9 8 5 7 7 1 2 4 3 6 9 5 2 4

4 8 6 2 9 7 1 3 5

1 7 5 6 8 3 2 4 9

2 3 9 1 4 5 7 6 8

7 2 3 9 6 4 8 5 1

5 6 8 7 1 2 4 9 3

9 4 1 5 3 8 6 7 2

8 1 7 3 5 6 9 2 4

6 5 4 8 2 9 3 1 7

3 9 2 4 7 1 5 8 6

9 3 6 4 7 1 2 8 5

4 8 7 2 6 5 9 3 1

5 2 1 8 9 3 4 7 6

8 4 5 7 2 9 1 6 3

6 1 9 3 5 4 7 2 8

3 7 2 1 8 6 5 9 4

2 5 8 6 4 7 3 1 9

1 6 4 9 3 2 8 5 7

7 9 3 5 1 8 6 4 2

THE SHINING RAYS ISSUE

DOWN

2. Put in.

4. An eagle’s house?

5. A place to live?

6. Hot sauce?

7. A practical joke.

10. Used for heart problems.

11. Not late.

12. Moody.

14. Has high sexual desire.

15. Lines around the earth?

16. More happy.

19. Germans pickle this.

21. An Indian caste.

23. Talked foolishly.

24. Leftovers.

25. Has the knowledge required.

27. You will find lots of scrap here.

29. It has the same atomic number

but different mass.

31. A manual computer?

32. Parts of the fingers.

33. A witch’s cooking pot?

34. A car’s instrument panel.

35. The study of birds.

36. Roman 24.

40. A maze.

42. Constantly stealing.

43. Listened to.

44. Not taken.

45. An instrument for measuring

the different colours in a solution.

46. A fly’s larva.

47. Not poison poisons.

48. He steers the ship.

52. Parts of jaws in insects.

53. For wiping your mouth?

55. Military student.

57. Hesitated.

59. A place for a telescope.

60. Lowest room in the house.

62. Trinidadian folk music.

65. A shop assistant?

67. Computer picture file.

69. A type of moon.

70. Animal stuffer!

72. Oxygen carrier?

74. Not for cars!

75. Worked it out.

77. A written notice of death.

78. Not successes.

79. An elephant’s tusk?

80. Tasteless.

ACROSS dictionary.

30. A badly maintained pain. building?

9. Feeling morose.

37. Basic.

13. Convey a thought.

38. Not a giving type of person.

17. Definitely needed!

39. Found on the bottom of a ship.

18. Begins to grow.

20. A feeling of embarrassment. 41. A fine writer?

22. A shady resting place in the 49. One hundred satang make garden. one of these.

26. The study of law.

50. Suggested for a position.

FINANCIAL AREA?

HOTEL WORKER?

51. A riding event.

54. Spineless?

56. Leave.

58. Used in whale hunting.

61. Slightly wet!

63. Walked like a duck.

64. Wonderful.

66. A person in a state of moral

73. A rich man’s car?

76. Curved in shape.

77. Against.

78. A way to kill pests.

81. Has both male and

68. Diversify.

71. Slowed down.

72. Lifted.

84. A pilot’s safety device?

85. Has sympathy with.

86. Insignificant thing.

decay is said to be this.

A LIGHT SNACK?

FILM

A NAME

female organs.

82. Viscous.

83. Little statue in the

garden?

NOT FOR A MAC!

COMMUNICATION DEVICE?

SEXY CLOTHING?

ON DRUGS? WALL STREET - BELL HOP - FLYING HIGH - FRENCH TOAST - THE LAST SAMURAI - TONY HANDCOCK WINDOWS UPDATE - MOBILE PHONE - MINI SKIRT

J U LY 2 0 1 2

87. Cut your nails.

88. Gives up control.

ACROSS 1. EXTERMINATE - 3. SPECULATED 8. SADOMASOCHIST - 9. DYSPEPTIC - 13. INSINUATE 17. ESSENTIAL - 18. GERMINATES - 20. ABASHMENT 22. GAZEBO - 26. JURISPRUDENCE - 28. AARDVARK 30. RAMSHACKLE - 37. FUNDAMENTAL 38. UNCHARITABLE - 39. KEEL - 41. CALLIGRAPHER 49. BAHT - 50. NOMINATED - 51. EQUESTRIAN 54. INVERTEBRATE - 56. ABANDON - 58. HARPOON 61. DAMP - 63. WADDLED - 64. MAGNIFICENT 66. DECADENT - 68. VARIEGATED - 71. DECELERATED 72. HEFTED - 73. LIMOUSINE - 76. PARABOLIC 77. OPPOSED - 78. FUMIGATE - 81. HERMAPHRODITE 82. GELATINOUS - 83. GNOME - 84. PARACHUTE 85. EMPATHY - 86. BAGATELLE - 87. EXUNGULATE 88. RELINQUISHES

28. The first creature in the

DOWN 2. INSERTED - 4. EYRIE - 5. KIBBUTZ - 6. TABASCO 7. JAPE - 10. PACEMAKER - 11. EARLY 12. TEMPERAMENTAL - 14. NYMPHOMANIAC 15. LATITUDE - 16. JOLLIER - 19. CABBAGE 21. KSHATRIYA - 23. BABBLED - 24. REMAINDERS 25. QUALIFIED - 27. JUNKYARD - 29. ISOTOPE 31. ABACUS - 32. KNUCKLES - 33. CAULDRON 34. DASHBOARD - 35. ORNITHOLOGY - 36. XXIV 40. LABYRINTH - 42. KLEPTOMANIAC 43. HARKENED - 44. UNACCEPTED 45. DICHROISCOPE - 46. MAGGOT - 47. VENOMS 48. HELMSMAN - 52. MANDIBLES - 53. NAPKINS 55. CADET - 57. FALTERED - 59. OBSERVATORY 60. BASEMENT - 62. CALYPSO - 65. SALESPERSON 67. GIF - 69. IO - 70. TAXIDERMIST - 72. HAEMOGLOBIN 74. WATERWAYS - 75. FATHOMED - 77. OBITUARY 78. FAILURES - 79. IVORY - 80. INSIPID

1. The Daleks do this.

3. Made a risky trade for profit.

8. Enjoys giving and receiving

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OUT+ABOUT

A TASTE OF

BACCHUS

RAGMAG got out + about with Riviera Hotel & Beach Lounge and Club Grappe, the wine tasting club that’s organizes excursions to Lebanon’s beautiful wineries and monasteries.

Hosted at Riviera Hotel’s Beach Lounge situated at the Corniche El Manara, the Beirut Wine and Art Festival gathered connoisseurs for two consecutive evenings for one of the best gastronomic dinners of the season. Vine and grape enthusiasts were served several wines, hailing from more than 10 prestigious Lebanese and French wineries like La Maison du Sommelier, Merlot, Chopin or Cave du Monastère St-Jean. We welcomed our flutes of Cyrille Cange Champagne Brut Première Cuvée and nibbled on Parmigiano Reggiano and brie while waiting for our delicious tuna tartar, served with a crisp rosé wine (chilled at just the right temperature). Now that’s what we call the perfect refreshment for a Beirut summer evening at the beach.

ENJOY THE FINE WINES + ATMOSPHERE Riviera Hotel & Beach Lounge Corniche El Manara, Beirut 01373210 www.rivierahotel.com.lb 170 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co @RivieraBeirut

During our second entrée (a glazed octopus salad served with a fruity white wine), Arthur Satyan and his live jazz band livened things up! People got more comfortable, enjoying the swing and modern-jazz rhythms and the light breeze coming from the sea.

After the dessert farandole, we took a stroll between the paintings exhibited by artists Roula Ayoub, Darine Semaan, Roula Bechara, Rita Keyrouz, Roger Barakat and Nasri Tawk, and the carved scented candles and chocolate by Ephrem Anthoun.

The Beirut Wine and Art Festival was one of the rare Beirut events that blends the taste of luxury with the amusement of art but was minus the attitude. Cheers Riviera, we’ll be toasting to you all summer!

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