A day in Hasbaya

Written by

Maya Zankoul

in

During this long week-end, I visited Hasbaya, the village I come from South of Lebanon

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Of course, after the classic stop at al baba sweets in Saida. I'll have the honey and pine nuts ice cream

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Hasbaya is a village full of history, a perfect example of Lebanese diversity

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In the village, people visit each other everyday. This is abu assaad.

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In the house, I found a box of old images

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Why were oldies so much more elegant in the old days?

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Then, I picked up flowers and made 2 bouquets

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Watching granma in the kitchen

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But in all this serenity, one thing broke my heart...

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the chehabi citadel is crumbling down and noone seems to care!

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this citadel is a historical, architectural and cultural treasure

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This boy is a prince by blood, he lives in the citadel. His family cannot afford to maintain it, leaving most of it falling apart. They are willing to let go of the property for someone who could take care of it... but nothing has been done about it!

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Wish box: I HOPE THAT THE CHEHAB CITADEL IN HASBAYA WILL BE WELL PRESERVED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, THAT IT WILL BE DOCUMENTED AND PROPERLY ORGANIZED TO WELCOME PEOPLE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE AREA'S HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE. IF ONLY SOMEONE COULD HEAR AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

If anyone of you knows a path that could lead to the realization of the above wish, please let me know. I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend & easter vacation! Now it’s back to work, and when we say work, we say music to compensate! Here’s Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong singing ‘Our Love is Here to Stay’. Have a wonderful day! 🙂

12 Our Love Is Here To Stay

Comments

14 responses to “A day in Hasbaya”

  1. Mireille Avatar
    Mireille

    ahh well they never care until the tragedy happens and goes public

    hope you enjoyed the weekend/vacation and hope there is a way more relaxed maya now 😀

    Reply
  2. Haytham Khouja Avatar
    Haytham Khouja

    pew pew pewwww!

    Reply
  3. bernadette Avatar
    bernadette

    Thanks Maya – this is the old/real Lebanon we dream about and we should be fighting (no pun) to preserve …. Where is Carlos Slim when we need him.

    Reply
  4. Desiree Avatar
    Desiree

    This may be a long shot, but how about the ministry of Tourism? or the UNESCO?

    Happy Easter my dear and welcome back!

    Reply
  5. Ahmed Badrah Avatar
    Ahmed Badrah

    amazing trip …. wish i can make it (:

    Reply
  6. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    hi maya

    this website might be interesting for you… let me know if i can help in anyway

    http://www.apsadonline.com/

    Reply
  7. Jillian C. York Avatar
    Jillian C. York

    I suggest an email campaign to UNESCO!

    Reply
  8. Zeina Gabriel Avatar
    Zeina Gabriel

    Great post 🙂 I hope your wish will come true 🙂
    Zeina 🙂

    Reply
  9. stephano mendelek Avatar
    stephano mendelek

    post something already
    how do you expect me to have a nice and peaceful day without reading anything on ur blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  10. Lebanese blogosphere weekly link roundup (2010/04/11) | +961

    […] A day in Hasbaya Maya’s Amalgam […]

    Reply
  11. Wafaa A Said Avatar
    Wafaa A Said

    It’s the first time i log to this websit; so cute and creative. BTW i’m from hasbaya bt failed to recognize ABOU ASSAAD 🙂

    Reply
  12. Cameron L'Amir Avatar
    Cameron L’Amir

    My family is from there too. We are from the Chehab family that came to America. Have you found anyway to help out?

    Reply
  13. Amal Habib Kakhouri Avatar
    Amal Habib Kakhouri

    Dear, I am Amal Khalil Habib Fakhouri From the beautiful great village hasbaya,my husband Name Nabil Youssef Fakhouri from Kfeir , we live in (U.A.E) about the work , but every year we go back to Lebanon , and me i go Sepecial to visit the wonderful wondeful village (hasbaya) , i love the stones of my village , the trees, the water ,the green grass ,the small things , i missed you Hasbaya , i love you , i love you Hasbaya.

    Reply
  14. Geraldo Zenid Avatar
    Geraldo Zenid

    I am looking for Jose Dieb. He lived in Brazil and returned to Lebanon

    Reply

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