![]() ![]() Darina Al-Joundi’s destructive cocaine addiction and unconventional relationships ultimately bring her into conflict with multiple elements of the Lebanese security state. ![]() These occurred against a complex political backdrop – Palestine Liberation Organisation presence in Beirut, invasion by Israel in 1982, the Lebanese civil war, the Shatila massacre, Syrian control and omni-present tensions within and between political factions and faiths. Their trusting daughter-father bond supported her in key phases of her life – personal relationships, sexual discoveries, and cocaine addiction. Darina Al-Joundi was brought up by her parents, and in particular her father, to value freedom, feminism of sorts, and be independent in thinking about religion. Attending a conference in Beirut while listening to the story brought life to the places mentioned - Hamra Street with its cafes, clubs, shops and shisha the St George Bay and yacht club on the aqua-blue Mediterranean and the bizarre reconstructed facades built to replace bombed city centre buildings – now largely vacant given ongoing instability and diminished tourism. ![]() This personal account of growing up and surviving Beirut is confronting on multiple levels. Personal resilience amidst political turmoil in Be ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |