Much like Dresden, Beruit is a formerly cosmopolitan metropolis, the mention of whose name in present times is more likely to bring to mind images of bombed out ruins and war, than images of vibrancy, beauty, uniqueness and history. Dresden used to be known for its beatiful porcelain dolls and china, and Beruit used to be called the Paris of the Middle East, Lebanon was known for its cedar forests instead of Hizbullah terrorists, and it was a popular mediterranean resort. It was well along its way to rebuilding that image before the Israeli war rained bombs on its poor neighborhoods (largely sparing the wealthy and tourist areas) and further set back Lebanon's image internationally.
So here's a look at the cosmopolitan aspect of the Middle East we don't think about much anymore, a culture struggling to stay in existence after more than 30 years of war and religious fanaticism.
Brought to you by
Charles Cushman, who surely was an SSP forumer who somehow managed to go back in time and photograph city scenes in the middle decades of the 20th century, and leave his archive to Indiana University for us to find here in the future.
1. From top of Excelsior Hotel BEIRUT
2. Mediterranean in morning form top of Excelsior Hotel
3. BEIRUT apartment house in MINET EL HOSN
4. BEIRUT Minet el Hosn section rasperry colored apartment house near Sea
5. Residential section near Sea Minet El Hosn section of Beirut
6. MINET EL HOSN section BEIRUT
7. BEIRUT water front
8. Evening sunlight along sea wall of BEIRUT
9. Along sea-toward Prince David Restaurant
10. Sea front
11. Sea front with Hotel St. George
12. Narrow building Port area
13. Minaret of Mosque Marechal Foch
14. Minaret of Mosque Marechal Foch, showing street
15. Mosque near Parliament Square
16. Sidewalk vendor Parliament Square
17. Parliament Square
18. Arabs, Parliament Square
19. Parliament Square
20. Parliament Square
21. Sidewalk merchant, Parliament Square
22. Sidewalk merchant, Parliament Square, with customer
23. Native market
24. Native at market
25. BEIRUT seen from mountain road south east
26. BEIRUT from mountain road S.E. of city