Lebanese artists refuse to leave their native country – in pictures

  • While many Lebanese look to emigrate as the country endures economic crises, artist Paul Merhy, pictured in his studio in Thoum, north Lebanon, and other creatives refuse to leave. All photos: Reuters
    While many Lebanese look to emigrate as the country endures economic crises, artist Paul Merhy, pictured in his studio in Thoum, north Lebanon, and other creatives refuse to leave. All photos: Reuters
  • Equally determined to stay is ballroom dancer Amin Beitamouni, pictured practising in his Beirut home. Dancing has been his lifeline during tough times, he says.
    Equally determined to stay is ballroom dancer Amin Beitamouni, pictured practising in his Beirut home. Dancing has been his lifeline during tough times, he says.
  • "Tango is more than just a hobby. For me, it is a way to stay alive, to keep on thinking, to keep on expressing," Mr Beitamouni says.
    "Tango is more than just a hobby. For me, it is a way to stay alive, to keep on thinking, to keep on expressing," Mr Beitamouni says.
  • "On days when I grow tired of this country, of the country’s situation, of everything that we are going through, it allows me to keep resisting and express myself," he says.
    "On days when I grow tired of this country, of the country’s situation, of everything that we are going through, it allows me to keep resisting and express myself," he says.
  • Rock musician Joy Fayad playing a gig in Baabdat, east of Beirut. She hopes her music can lift her audience and help them release their frustrations.
    Rock musician Joy Fayad playing a gig in Baabdat, east of Beirut. She hopes her music can lift her audience and help them release their frustrations.
  • "I always face problems, for example sometimes there is no electricity when we want to practice. But then, when the electricity comes back, I blow off steam more intensely because there is something inside me that is coming out, it’s healing me," she says.
    "I always face problems, for example sometimes there is no electricity when we want to practice. But then, when the electricity comes back, I blow off steam more intensely because there is something inside me that is coming out, it’s healing me," she says.
  • "Many people living here are survivors who found solutions to keep going," Mr Merhy says. "Many people are working outside their fields. There are many people like me who are attached to their country, they belong to their country."
    "Many people living here are survivors who found solutions to keep going," Mr Merhy says. "Many people are working outside their fields. There are many people like me who are attached to their country, they belong to their country."