An Article by A. V. (750 words, 4 min. read)
On April 26, 2025, ar Artliban – Calima in Beirut, a remarkably literary event took place: the signing of Dire Le Liban, a collective book born from pain, hope, and unshakable love for Lebanon. Published under the guidance of Nidal Haddad – both publisher and author – this book is much more than a literary creation. It is a tribute to resilience, a cry of patriotism, and a testament to the power of words when everything else seems to collapse.
Writing Against All Odds
Dire le Liban gathers the voices of 77 authors, writing mostly in French, each weaving their personal narrative into a collective hymn for Lebanon. Despite war, exile, destruction, and despair, they chose to write, to resist through poetry, prose, and passion. Each page reflects their refusal to abandon their land, even as violence once again scars its mountains and coasts. Writing became a form of survival, a silent but powerful protest against the injustice faced by the Lebanese people.
A Book Divided Into Eight Pulsating Sections
The book unfolds across eight sections, each resonating with a different rhythm, a different shade of love for Lebanon.
In “Dire le Liban en vers et contre tout” (saying Lebanon in verses and against all odds), poetry rises like a phoenix from the ashes, affirming that beauty can still be born from ruin.
“Dire le Liban avec des lettres de feu” (saying Lebanon with letters of fire) reveals voices burning with rage and pain, refusing to be silenced.
“Dire le Liban avec la voix de l’enfant” (saying Lebanon in the voice of a child) captures innocence and shattered dreams, while “Dire le Liban avec des yeux d’adulte”(saying Lebanon with the eyes of the adult) confronts the harsh realities of war and exile.
“Dire le Liban d’ici, de là-bas, de partout” (saying Lebanon from here, from there, from everywhere) connects the diaspora’s yearning with those who remained, weaving a tapestry of longing and belonging.
“Dire le Liban comme il sera un jour” (saying Lebanon as it will be one day) dares to dream of a rebirth, where peace and dignity prevail.
“Dire le Liban avec des mots et des idées” (saying Lebanon with words and ideas) reflects intellectual resistance, marrying thought with feeling.
Finally, “Dire le Liban dans d’autres langues aussi”(saying Lebanon in other languages too) reminds us that love for a country transcends words, borders, and languages.
Pain, Bitterness, Poetry, and Hope
Throughout the pages of Dire le Liban, emotions run deep. Bitterness at lost futures, sadness for lives cut short, anger at injustice — but also resilience, poetry, and undying hope. Each contribution is a thread in the vast tapestry of a people who refuse to be broken. Together, these 77 pens form a powerful, moving portrait of a country wounded but unbowed. They remind us that Lebanon is not just a place, but a feeling — raw, painful, beautiful.
A Literary Act of Resistance
In a time when destruction seeks to erase memories and futures, Dire le Liban stands as an act of literary resistance. It asserts that Lebanon exists in every heartbeat, every memory, every dream. Through these texts, the authors have reclaimed their country’s narrative, refusing to let violence write the final word. Their commitment turns writing into a weapon of peace, and love into an unstoppable force.
A Note to the Publisher: Gratitude and Hope
To Nidal Haddad, whose vision and devotion made this book possible: your work is a beacon in a dark time. Through Dire le Liban, you offered Lebanon not only a testimony but also a gift of hope. It is a reminder that even when everything seems lost, the soul of a nation can be preserved — in poems, in letters, in the sacred space of a shared dream. This love for Lebanon, this belief in the power of words, will echo in the hearts of all who hold this book in their hands.
The Voice of a People
Dire le Liban is more than a collection of writings; it is the living voice of a people who, despite everything, continue to believe in the future of their country. It stands as a monument of love, sorrow, and faith; a reminder that even when history tests them, the children of Lebanon will never stop singing the name of their land.
In the end, writing becomes an act of defiance, and reading becomes an act of communion. Together, through this book, the Lebanese people say: we are here, and we will remain. In every tear, every smile, every word.
