Rabih K

Lebanese Day3a of the Day: Hasroun

Hasroun (حصرون), romanticized as the “Rose of the Mountain,” is a day3a (village) located in northern Lebanon in the Bsharri District — about 63 miles (102 KM) from Beirut.

With an approximate population of 12,000, the exquisite town overlooks the Qannoubine Valley at around 1,400 meters above sea level.

You beauty #Hasroun by @joenohra

A post shared by Live Love Hasroun (@livelovehasroun) on

The vast majority of the population living in Hasroun practice the Maronite Catholic faith; the day3a is home to the shrine of Saint Thomas, the shrine of Saint Michael and the shrine of St. James.

The day3a was an impregnable fortress, a couple hundred years ago, that provided a refuge for Maronites persecuted by invaders, according to DiscoverLebanon.com.

hasroun lebanon

If you are planning to visit Hasroun this summer, don’t miss the beautiful annual Hasroun Flower Festival from June 30 to July 1.

According to Lebanon Traveler, if you want to find a great manoushe for breakfast or kaak for a late night snack, some of the best bakeries in town are Leba El Amrieh’s Bakery and Georgette Badra’s Bakery.

On a hot sunny day, Surgels Ice Cream shop is the perfect place to eat if you want to cool down.

During summer nights the day3a is alive with food and clothing festivals!

#heritage #hasroun by @josephabdophotography

A post shared by Live Love Hasroun (@livelovehasroun) on

Check out the tourist guide for the day3a, by clicking here.

Salma Hayek attends British Lebanese Association gala in London

The British Lebanese Association hosted a gala dinner with Salma Hayek appearing as the guest of honor, along with special appearances by musician Guy Manoukian and singer Aline Lahoud.

The black tie event was hosted at the five-star Dorchester Hotel in London. Tickets were sold for about $330 per person.

“Everywhere you go (in the world) there is a Lebanese community and it feels like home,” Hayek said.

Salma Hayek visited Lebanon in 2015. (File photo)
Salma Hayek visited Lebanon in 2015. (File photo)

Hayek visited Lebanon in 2015 to launch “The Prophet,” an animated feature film she co-produced.

“I wanted to do something special for future generations and I said I want to go to Lebanon before anyone else sees it,” she added.

RELATED: Salma Hayek receives humanitarian award from Arab American Institute

After speaking, Hayek stayed for a meet-and-greet with guests.

Lebanese singer Aline Lahood also took to the stage to entertain the dinner guests.

Fiber-optic Internet coming to Lebanon, Ogero Chairman says

Plans to introduce fiber-optic Internet in Lebanon are in the works, the leader of Lebanon’s state-run telecommunications firm confirmed Tuesday in a tweet.

Imad Kreidieh, the chairman of Ogero Telecom, tweeted that the Audit Bureau of Lebanon has approved the company’s plan to install fiber-optic cables across the country.

According to the Speedtest Global Index, as of April 2018, Lebanon had the third slowest ‘Fixed Broadband’ speeds in the world.

Fiber-optic Internet could soon come to Lebanon. (Stock photo)
Fiber-optic Internet could soon come to Lebanon. (Stock photo)

Experts believe the installation of fiber-optic cables in the country will establish a better Internet and TV infrastructure and greatly increase the average Internet speeds.

Fiber-optic is considered one of the fastest forms of receiving Internet.

Google Fiber, for example, promises speeds of 1 GBit/s while traditional cable maxes out at around 200 MBit/s.

How to dress like a local in Beirut — for any occasion!

Fashion is a big deal in Beirut — and looking good can go a long way!

Whether you’re visiting Beirut for pleasure or business, here’s how to look fashionable for all occasions.

1. Business trips

For the guys, two-button suits in navy or black with designer belts and loafers are recommended if you are in town for business, Business Insider reports.

The Lebanese are big on designer brands, and bigger branded logos are always a plus.

Finally, don’t forget to accessorize! A nice watch, sunglasses and pocket square can make you stand out.

For ladies, a solid-colored dress looks classy and keeps you cool in the scorching sun.

Top it off with a nice designer bag or sunglasses, and you’re good to go.

Pro tip: Zara stores are a great place to shop for any business occasion.

2. Casual strolls

If you just want to walk the streets or go out with friends, a nice shirt with some designer jeans will do nicely.

Women certainly have a few more options to choose from. Nice jeans, shorts, skirts, a summer dress — pretty much anything goes.

But to stand out, don’t forget to accessorize!

RELATED: How to get ready for a day at the beach in Lebanon

3. Parties and clubs

It’s all about the skin at Beirut’s hottest clubs!

A crop top and skirt is a common sight at a Beirut club.

A post shared by marmoura (@mirna.9.9) on

Flashy dresses, heavy makeup and heels are also a dime a dozen.

For the guys, tighter dress shirts are always appropriate. If you have the build, don’t be afraid to show it off.

4. Formal gatherings

For fancier evening events and galas, CNTraveler recommends draped gowns made by local designers like Rabih Kayrouz or Krikor Jabotian.

Custom-tailored suits and designer names can be found at these men’s locations.

If you need to go shopping while in the capitol, check out Beirut Souks or your nearest shopping mall.

Report: Tele Liban to broadcast the World Cup in Lebanon for free

Great news for football fans in Lebanon! The Lebanese government has reached a preliminary deal to acquire the broadcast rights of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, according to a source close to Beirut-based newspaper An-Nahar.

Under the terms of the deal, Tele Liban will broadcast the World Cup games free-of-charge through its local broadcast network.

Tele Liban is the country’s public television network, owned by the Lebanese government.

According to An-Nahar, the preliminary deal allows the Lebanese government to work with SAMA Group to air the games. SAMA is the only channel in Lebanon that holds distribution rights to beIN Sports to broadcast the World Cup.

SAMA previously charged 150,000LL, or about $100, for the World Cup package, while Tele Liban aims to broadcast it for free.

Lebanese Information Minister Melhem Riachy. (Photo provided/NDU)
Lebanese Information Minister Melhem Riachy. (Photo provided/NDU)

The announcement comes one month after Lebanese Information Minister Melhem Riachy said negotiations were underway with SAMA group to provide live coverage of the games for free.

A source told An-Nahar that the deal will be publicly announced a few days after the tournament kicks off in Moscow on June 14.

The reported deal is expected to cost mobile operators Alfa and Touch about $5 million each on a contract fee on behalf of the government, An-Nahar added.

How to get ready for a day at the beach in Lebanon

It’s summer in Beirut, and there is no better place to spend the season than at one of Lebanon’s best beaches!

Here are some tips and tricks to make the most out of your time.

First, you have to pick the right spot! If you’re ready to spend big bucks, perhaps you can consider booking a chalet ahead of time.

Some of the best beaches in Lebanon are known for their luxury and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Consider trying something new with:

Next, you need to figure out what to wear.

For the men: skip the board shorts, baggy fits and tacky patterns and stick with a stylish swimsuit with a solid or simple pattern.

Happiest bday @gracekouyoumjian ❤️ when clients become family!

A post shared by Anas Nabhan (@anasnabhann) on

Beirut.com recommends women try something a little different and uncomfortable!

Off-shoulder shapes and textured fabrication are all back in style for the summer.

And while on the way there and back, pick a nice summer dress or tank top to stay comfortable.

Like this picture?!

A post shared by N I M A (@nimacheble) on

Finally, don’t forgot to bring your shades and radio speakers!

If you’re into drinking, a nice cold pack of Almaza will do nicely in the summer heat.

Sometimes bada #almaza ?

A post shared by Rami Azar (@azarrami) on

RELATED: How to dress like a local in Beirut — for any occasion!

Lebanese restaurant in Madrid offers deals after Champions League win!

The Fairuz Restaurant in Madrid, Spain is offering a big discount after the Champions League win!

On Saturday, the futball club Real Madrid won their third consecutive Champions League title. This incredible feat has only happened three other times in the history of the international competition.

In celebration of this occasion, Fairuz Restaurant is offering 30 percent off their food orders for ‘special customers,’ a manager told Lebanese Examiner.

A photo of the menu at Restaurante Libanés Fairuz. (FB/Fairuz Restaurant)
A photo of the menu at Restaurante Libanés Fairuz. (FB/Fairuz Restaurant)

‘Restaurante Libanés Fairuz’ is located near the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home stadium of Real Madrid.

To check out their menu on their website in Spanish, click here.

Two of LeBron James’ former teammates played in Lebanon

Over the years, NBA star LeBron James has had many players supporting during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.

Two of his former Cleveland teammates, Lee Nailon and Ronald Murray, also played in the Lebanese Basketball League.

lee nailon lebanon

Nailon was a second round pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1999 NBA Draft. After a few years and a handful of other teams, he played on the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2003-04 season alongside LeBron James.

The Cavaliers did not the qualify for the playoffs for the season, and afterwards Nailon did not remain with the team.

For the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Nailon played for the Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut Club, also known as Al Riyadi.

ronald murray lebanon

Meanwhile, Ronald Murray was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft.

He played for the Cavaliers for the 2005-06 season, alongside LeBron James who was averaging almost 31 points in the playoffs.

On April 11, 2014, he signed with Al Mouttahed Tripoli Club of Lebanon for the 2013–14 season.

Carla Haddad: From 14-year-old model to ‘Dancing with the Stars’ celeb

Lebanese television presenter Carla Haddad was 14-years-old when she recorded her first television advertisement. She fell in love with the camera, and has grown into one of the most popular entertainers in Lebanon.

The television star spoke exclusively with Lebanese Examiner about her rise to fame. She focused on being genuine and performing from the heart, she said.

“I am not a person who just reads the teleprompter,” Haddad said in an Arabic interview. “I consider myself more of an entertainer, who speaks off the cuff, than a presenter.”

Haddad was born in Beirut to a loving family originally from Jezzine in South Lebanon. Her parents recognized her bubbly personality and enrolled her in child modeling programs.

At just 14-years-old, Haddad was modeling for television commercials and print advertisements. Her career only grew from there.

“After that, great opportunities kept rolling,” she said. “I had the chance to be part of a stand-up comedy group, an actress, and even a show host in Los Angeles.”

Haddad’s shows, among the most popular in the Middle East, included Carlalala, Ya Leil Ya Ein, Comedy Night and Helwi El Hayat.

She most recently co-hosted the Arab world version of Dancing with the Stars on MTV with television personality Wissam Breidy.

“I have worked hard in my life on building great content and becoming more of an entertainer,” Haddad added. “It’s not just about your appearance on the outside, but how you can connect with people on the inside.”

Haddad is passionate about keeping her fans updated on social media, and connecting with her viewers on InstagramFacebook and Twitter.

VIDEO: People try Lebanese Arak for the first time!

Have you ever wondered how your white friends would react to drinking Arak?

The producers at Buzzfeed have answered that question with a YouTube video showing people trying Arak for the first time!

The reactions included:

“I’m feeling a buzz.”

“This can be dangerous.”

“The strongest drink I’ve ever had.”

“This is the prime drink you can sneak into a music festival. Just say it’s like fancy water.”

While the Arak was not poured into its traditional glass, most of the people who tried it, liked it!

“This right here is everything I want in a drink — it’s easy to go down, it’s alcoholic as hell and it’s refreshing,” one guy said.

Watch the video from Buzzfeed below:

Send this to friend