30th January 2018

I am probably being naive but I find the creative spaces of Beirut so refreshing. Culture and creativity in general seem truly to be the patrimony of the people. I find none of the classist pretentions from both ends of the political spectrum of Britain here. Well. it's either that or I am too common to be aware of the elite. The book shops stock chosen books rather than this year's bestsellers and the assumption seems to be that one buys books for oneself rather than as pretty status-earning gifts, by which I mean I find sellers willing to engage in brief chats about the feelings evoked by books as if a book's worthiness, its content sells it. This sincerity makes me happy and the vibrant poetry and story telling evenings in Aaliya's, Riwaq and Dar Bistro further testify to the gentle openness towards creativity that I sense here.

Last week I read with other contributors to Sukoon Magazine, founded and edited by Rewa Zeinati who I first met with the Poeticians in Dubai in 2010. [www.sukoonmag.com]

It was a privilege to read with Marina Chamma, Dina Matta, Maysan Nasser, Seem Rashash Shaaban, Lynn Saad and fabulous Rewa Zeinati. What a lovely evening!