17 December 2007

BEIRUT: As in many parts of the world, Christmas in Lebanon is a holiday celebrated by more than just Christians. Regardless of faith and creed, many are drawn to the holiday's more universal qualities - its emphasis on selflessness, amity and family. But this year the Christmas spirit seems to have eluded many Lebanese, who have grown increasingly concerned by Lebanon's interminable political standstill and the continuing string of assassinations - underscored by the recent murder of General Francois Hajj.

How will this Christmas season compare to those of the past? The Daily Star hit the streets of Gemmayzeh on Sunday, the third of Advent, to gauge the seasonal cheer of the Lebanese. Unsurprisingly, many of those interviewed were pessimistic - understandably unable to separate the holiday from the current political climate.

Charbel Haddad, eager to get home to his family, was not optimistic about the impact the holiday season could have on the political situation.

"It will be the same as always," he said. "Someone from the government will say this, the other side will say this and the Lebanese will suffer for it. That's our Merry Christmas."

But even for Haddad, the Christmas spirit would not be fully eclipsed by the dour political scene. "I'll be with my family, which is the only thing that will make the holiday season bright," he said.

Adam Khoury, an American of Lebanese descent who is in Lebanon visiting friends and family for the holiday said he had noticed a change from previous visits.

"I really can't say what the differences are since I don't live here, but the last time I was here it was very different," he said.

Khoury suggested that it was time the Lebanese began giving gifts to themselves.

"The best gift the Lebanese can give to Lebanon is some stability and maybe even a president," he said.

Chadi Najjar, the owner of BLU Pub and Lounge in Gemmayzeh, who is also a Lebanese American, noticed a similar indescribable difference this season. "It seems a bit unusual. It's slower in a sense. It's weird, by mid-December the streets and malls should be filled," he said.

"I haven't been here long enough to make distinctions between past and present Christmases, but there's a general feeling that things aren't normal," Najjar added.

Yves Khoury, a bartender at Torino Express, a popular, multinational hang out, was blunt in his analysis: "There are decorations and people are spending money, but there's no spirit."

Charbell Saadeh opined that because of the instability in Lebanon, this year's Christmas could bring unexpected events. "Christmas will be full of surprises this year because no one knows what is going to happen. Hope is the key to Christmas, let's hope something positive happens," he said.

Resident Nancy Kanj said she has had her fill of the situation here.  The answer? She's leaving her family and Lebanon to visit friends abroad.

"I'm not really feeling it this year," she said.

Alexa Kayruz, who runs a toy store in Gemmayzeh, said that while business was good it was only because children needed to be looked after and given something that could make them happy. "Children need attention, so we'll make sure Christmas is good for them," she added.

But despite the suggestions of advertisements, Christmas isn't only for children. And Kayruz was not cheery about the prospects of a merry Christmas for Lebanese adults. "It's not a good Christmas, people aren't well, especially now after this bombing. It's not the way to celebrate Christmas," she said.

Nevertheless, the spirit of Christmas has not been dampened for all Lebanese.  Makram Zeenny, owner of the popular Beirut pub Barbu, said that for him Christmas was great, like all Christmases in fact. "It's like any other. It's very good - in all senses," he said.

Zeenny said one reason why this Christmas was so wonderful was because the Lebanese had awoken: "We all know who is worthy of our trust. This Christmas shows that the people don't care what the politicians have to say anymore because we've realized they're all crooks."

He said he would be celebrating Christmas day with his family and the pub's clientele. "I'll be at home with my family or at the pub where there's great business. The Lebanese in Arab countries will come back. The Lebanese are rooted in their homeland, whether they like it or not," he added.