RAINBOW-COLOURED STAIRWAYS IN BEIRUT

Next we came across the work of a group of Lebanese artists, named Dihzahyners, they are changing the urban scenery of Beirut by painting stairways with eye-catching colours. 

Their aim is that by using Many vibrant colours and geometric patterns this will in some way soften the hearts and ease the minds of everybody in and around the city. They hoped to recreate and rejuvenate broken and gloomy spaces in Beirut, and they certainly did that the bright happy colours brought a smile to my face.

Martyrs Square

Next on our tour of Beirut was the Downtown area of the city, stopping at Martyrs Square. 

At the center of the square there is a statue in tribute to Lebanese journalists killed in 1916 by the Ottoman empire. The statue was erected as a symbol of foreign oppression of Lebanon and Freedom.

As you can see from the current state of this statue people are still using it as way to get their voices heard. With it being caught up in recent 'You Stink' demonstrations complaining about the lack of rubbish collections in Beirut.

During the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), Martyrs’ Square formed the demarcation line (The Green Line) that divided the city in half.

Yazan Halwani- The Lebanese Banksy

While on our tour of Beirut we saw some of the graffiti work of the famous Lebanese artist Yazan Halwani who attempts to reclaim street art in a city scarred by civil war.

Yazan Halwani is a young Beiruti artist who paints murals of revered Lebanese and Arab figures on prominent walls in a bid to help overcome sectarianism in this fragmented city. He is trying to give the residents a break from all the political problems facing the country.

The Grand Tour of Beirut

Today we went on a tour of Beirut starting off from the west side in the Hamra district and ending up on the East side in Mar mechaiel.

Independence Day Holiday

As yesterday was Lebanese Independence Day today was a national holiday for Lebanon, so no school today (Don't worry I have to go into school on Saturday). 

Tyre's Ruins

While in Tyre we visited its remarkable ruins dating back thousands on years

. These 

Archaeological Sites are by far the most famous attraction, boasting the largest and best-preserved example of a Roman Hippodrome, 

an arena for chariot racing of which a significant amount survives, which could seat over 20,000 spectators

. The impressive site is huge and also encapsulates a large Necropolis (with several hundred well-preserved sarcophagi), an intact Roman road and aqueduct, and a monumental arch. 

Tyre

Today we visited Tyre this is an ancient Phoenician city dating back thousands of years, today it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and houses one of the nation's major port's. We spent time wandering around the small side streets and Souk's [markets] of the old town.