“Ahlein” photo exhibition captures the daily lives of foreigners in Lebanon

Byblos Bank launched “Ahlein”, a photo exhibition by Ghaleb Cabbabé, winner of Byblos Bank Award 2013 for Photography.

Twenty amazing photos capturing the daily lives of foreigners in Lebanon are on display at “Ahlein“, which is curated by the BEIRUT ART FAIR.

Established in 2012 in cooperation with the BEIRUT ART FAIR, the BYLBLOS BANK AWARD for Photography is designed to support emerging Lebanese photographers. It involves a rigorous competition regulated by a jury of international and local photography experts. The laureate is enrolled in a mentoring program enabling him/her to leverage his/her skills and showcase his/her photography works in a solo exhibition at Byblos Bank Headquarters.

Nada Tawil, Head of Group Communication Department at Byblos Bank, said: “Within our firm commitment to bettering the society in line with our social responsibility strategy, we want to make sure that we help the Lebanese Culture thrive through the expansion of artistic expression. Ghaleb’s topic is relatively difficult and doesn’t necessarily align with the norms prevailing in parts of our society. The exhibition is challenging, the art featured requires maturity; yet, the ensemble is an intelligent way through which we can build tolerance and reach a better society.”

Pascal Odille, Artistic Director of the BEIRUT ART FAIR, said: “Ghaleb Cabbabé tells us a story; he gives us an intimate and honest vision ever so close to reality. His work, a mix between a photoreport and a photographic diary, is a dive in the daily lives of those who surround us, with no voyeurism and a lot of delicacy.”

For his part, Ghaleb Cabbabé said: “Winning the BYBLOS BANK AWARD was a unique opportunity that allowed me to create my first solo exhibition in Lebanon under the mentoring and artistic direction of the BEIRUT ART FAIR, and with the full support and promotion of Byblos Bank. I thank both, and I look forward to how visitors will come to appreciate this work.”

Graduated with a degree in Architecture from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) in 2003 and from HEC Paris in 2004, Ghaleb Cabbabé lived and worked in enriching and inspirational environments such as Oman and Vietnam. He participated in several missions for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Congo and Sri Lanka, and has been intensely working to further his career in photography. His passion and perseverance led him to enroll in a photography program at the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague, before winning the BYBLOS BANK AWARD in 2013.

In parallel with Ghaleb Cabbabé’s exhibition, three seminars will be given by Mr. Odille at Byblos Bank Headquarters, from 9 to 11 April 2014, about the history and evolution of photography, as well as its evolving market in light of the increasing demand from enthusiasts and collectors. Entrance is free of charge.

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The call for entries for BYBLOS BANK AWARD 2014 for Photography will open by mid-April and finalists will exhibit their work at Byblos Bank’s booth at the BEIRUT ART FAIR in September. The name of the laureate will be revealed on the last day of the Fair.

Ahlein, Ghaleb Cabbabé’s exhibition at Byblos Bank Headquarters, is open to the public between Wednesday 9 and Friday 11 April, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturday, 12 April, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.