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Lebanon Celebrates its 69th Independence Day Posted by jesa on Nov 22, 2012
Before you begin reading this post, please watch this video to listen to Lebanon’s National Anthem (النَّشيد الوطني). In the video you can see the flag with the symbolic cedar tree, with the anthem’s lyrics in English and Arabic. Every year on November 22, the Republic of Lebanon commemorates its independence anniversary (عيد الإستِقلال) in…
Take Away My Passport Posted by jesa on Nov 16, 2012
Marcel Khalife (مارسيل خليفة)is an accomplished oud (عود)player, singer, and composer. He was born on June 10, 1950 in Amchit, a coastal village next to Jbeil in Lebanon. He studied the Oud at the Beirut National Conservatory of Music, where he graduated in 1971. Following his graduation and starting in 1972 till around 1975, Khalife…
How To Cook Mlookhiyeh Posted by jesa on Nov 12, 2012
Mlookhiyeh (مُلوخِيَّة) is one of the most popular dishes in the Arab world generally. In essence, it is the leaves of Corchorus species, which are used as a vegetable around the Middle East and North Africa . In Western contexts it is usually referred to as ‘Jew’s Mallow Stew.’ It is thoroughly cooked and cannot…
On Love Posted by jesa on Nov 8, 2012
Gibran Khalil Gibran is one of the most recognized poets in the world. He was not only a poet, but also an artist, painter, sculptor (نَحَّات), theologian, and more importantly a prolific writer. He was born on January 6, 1883 in Lebanon and passed away on April 10, 1931 in New York City. Born in…
Runaway Barbara (هاشلة بربارة): A Happy Halloween!! Posted by jesa on Oct 31, 2012
While everyone is busy preparing their costumes and stacking up their candy, children in the Arab world, and specifically the Levant – Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon – impatiently await December 4 to celebrate their own version of Halloween, Saint Barbara’s Holiday( عيد القديسة بربارة). While the carving of pumpkins (لقطين) is not as…
How to Prepare Pumpkin Kibbe Posted by jesa on Oct 27, 2012
It’s the time of the year when everyone is rushing to purchase pumpkins for carving, home decoration or just to feel part of the Halloween Season! At least this is the case in the United States. You can either choose to buy orange or white pumpkins (لَقطين). Some shops even carry some weird looking pumpkins…
United Nations Day يوم الأُمَم المتَّحِدة Posted by jesa on Oct 25, 2012
The United Nations Charter (ميثاق الأُمَم المتَّحِدة) was ratified as the founding document of this international organization by the majority of different member states, including the five most powerful and permanent members of the Security Council (مجلس الأَمِن)– United States of America, France, Britain, China and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union). Following the ratification of…