A search for Lebanon on social media over the past few weeks reveals mostly heart-wrenching images of the Beirut port explosion and the country's economic devastation.
But pop star Najwa Karam wants to remind people of the beauty of her homeland, too, and so she launched a new Twitter campaign.
Titled #لبنان_الحياة (Lebanon Life), Karam implored her 8.3 million followers to post beautiful images of the country as a way to not change, but add to the narrative.
“This is an invitation to all those that are with us and those who are not, to all the photographers, painters and sculptors, and to everyone who loves Lebanon, Lebanese or not Lebanese,” she said. “Share with us a nice photo or video about our sweet country with the name of the region under the hashtag.”
Her call-out worked. Within a day of the campaign’s launch on September 27, the hashtag was trending in Lebanon and Jordan. People posted many evocative images, ranging from Beirut's stunning coastline and the rolling hills of the Bekaa Valley, to the Roman and Byzantine ruins of Qalaat Faqra on the slopes of Mount Sannine, and the archaeological wonders of Byblos.
دعوة منّي لكلّ اللي معنا واللي مش معنا،
— Najwa Karam (@najwakaram) September 27, 2020
لكلّ المصوّرين والرسّامين والنحاتين ولكل حدا فينا بيحبّ #لبنان، لبناني أو مش لبناني إنّو يشاركنا بصورة حلوة أو فيديو حلو عن بلدنا الحلو مع اسم المنطقة، تحت هيدا الهشتاغ #لبنان_الحياة ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Iv32o1S1dY
Here are some of the images that serve to remind us of the beauty and vibrancy of Lebanon ...
1. Pluralistic Beirut
2. The landscapes of Bekaa Valley, Oyoun Orghosh and Faqra Valley
#صباح_الخير مع #جمال_لبنان عبر الفصول
— Nidal Majdalani (Travelling Lebanon) (@NidalMajdalani) September 28, 2020
#بشري #البقاع #عيون_ارغش #فقرا#لبنان_الحياة @najwakaram pic.twitter.com/6JtFX7Qm5T
3. The majestic Anjar Citadel
@najwakaram
— Ehab Zablah🇵🇸 (@ZablahEhab) September 28, 2020
قلعة عنجر الأثرية#لبنان_الحياة 🇱🇧❤️ pic.twitter.com/dZnvKnE8LW
4. The vibes of Raouche, Zahle, Jounieh and Ehden
#لبنان_الحياة لقطات من فيديو كليب بعشق تفاصيلك بتعكس جمال هالبلد من مناطق مختلفة😍@najwakaram we love you💕 pic.twitter.com/cc8tVvGF7h
— Katreeena (@kattttreena) September 28, 2020
5. The mountain roads of Lebanon
#لبنان_الحياة#من_طرف_نجوى_كرم pic.twitter.com/7upITt2F86
— Al Yemeni 🇾🇪 Nassar (@nassarbenameen) September 28, 2020
6. The Citadel of Baalbek
قلعة بعلبك😍
— Leensyria🇸🇾🇸🇾 (@NK1966leenkaram) September 28, 2020
#لبنان_الحياة @najwakaram#لبنان_الحياة 😍@najwakaram pic.twitter.com/00lcNcPx2P
7. Beirut's Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
@najwakaram 🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧 #لبنان_الحياة pic.twitter.com/9ddCRgDvPy
— ملكة حب نجوى ❤ 🇾🇪 (@qQYr3nj8mNSEmNK) September 28, 2020
8. Sunset over the village of Nabay
No Caption Needed! #Nabay #لبنان_الحياة @najwakaram pic.twitter.com/nd9F1PM2oY
— Albert Atallah (@AlbertAtallah95) September 28, 2020
9. The serene village of Aaqoura
Aquoura village
— Raouya (@ARaouya) September 27, 2020
#لبنان_الحياة https://t.co/9K4AS2jfE4 pic.twitter.com/D80UjGsl7p
10. The nature reserve of Qammouaa
القموعة عكار_ by ali ayoub photography #لبنان_الحياة pic.twitter.com/I2Ak67A7tE
— Toufeec (@Toufeec2) September 27, 2020