Portraits of a Diaspora

Portraits of a

Diaspora Aya Rai

My project is called “Portraits of Diaspora”. It is a photo-book representing the Lebanese voices of London. My goal for this project is to promote cultural understanding and to strengthen the Lebanese diaspora community through sharing and preserving their stories and heritage.

Lebanese people have contributed a lot of London’s cultural, social and economic life. They have established businesses, restaurants, and cultural organizations that promote Lebanese heritage and traditions.

There are so many examples of succefssul stories in London. In a joint exhibition “LEBANON | UNTITLED”, Janet Rady Fine Art and Artscoops present more than 30 Modern and Contemporary Lebanese artists at Cromwell Place in London in June of 2023. Another example would be architect Annabel Karim Kassar, who won the London Design Biennale Medal in 2016, for his installation which brings an interpretation of Beirut’s street markets to the banks of the Thames.

"Lebanese around the world are a testament to the enduring spirit of our homeland, no matter where they may be."

- Fairuz

i first interviewed Ali , a waiter in Al Arez Lebanese restaurant on Edgware road. Ali moved to London around 20 years ago not knowing anything about London because of the economical struggle and regional conflicts in Lebanon.

At that time, the country was relying heavily on the remittances from the Lebanese Diaspora to support it’s economy. Ali has lived through instability in Lebanon and prefers living in London because the London community follows rules and regulations. What he misses the most is his family, and tries to visit them as much as he can. He would love to go back and live in Lebanon one day but he believes it’s really difficult given the events of the last couple of years.

“MY LEBANESE FRIENDS USED TO MAKE FUN OF ME FOR WEARING A SEAT BELT.”

Homeland

Ali told me a story about the changes in his life since moving to London. He started driving at the age of 16 which is not usual back in Lebanon. His friends used to make fun of him for wearing a seat belt as they were more reckless back in the day. When he came to London, he saw how the vast majority of people in London follow the seat belt regulation. At the end of the interview, Ali kindly asked if I would like a drink or coffee on the house. Something I love about Lebanese people is how welcoming and hospitable they are.

“AND OF COURSE YOU WANT ME TO BE HONEST.”

I interviewed Mahmoud , a cashier at Green Valley supermarket in Kensington high street. The first thing he told me was “and of course you want me to be honest.”Hes from Beirut originally, and has been living in London for 35 years. In his words “I am old school”.

He was 3 years old when he came with his dad. He completed university in London and studied business, finance and economics. He got married in Lebanon, had 3 kids and then came back to the UK. He didn’t want to move back to the Uk at first and liked living in Lebanon. Whoever, he wanted to provide for his family and because of the economic crisis In Lebanon he was forced to come back. He went back to Lebanon 13 years ago but he didn’t like it as much, especially after 2020. His wife and kids live in Lebanon and so his heart will always belongs to Lebanon. He said “Everything in Lebanon is different, the Social life is different, the weather is different, the people are different. You don’t know the value of what you have until you leave or lose it. Back in Lebanon, if someone sees you holding a bunch of bags, they instantly try to help you. In London, everyone is very reserved.”

Mahmoud used to be a manager in a restaurant back in Lebanon called “Ni”. He used to finish working around 11/12. He would go sit in the cafe with his friends until 3 am and he always felt safe. In London, there are some areas where you can’t walk around and stay in at night.

“In Lebanon, you can live a nice life, and you can go out and socialize.

Lebanon is much safer than here. Living here, I’ve seen a lot.” Meeting Lebanese people living in London, he felt that they feel glummer. But when they go back to Lebanon, they become rejoice.

Family

I interviewed Claudia, an interior designer in London.

Claudia moved to London because she had a friend in London who had an antique Chinese furniture shop and they were planning on collaborating on some projects. She believes the lifestyle in Lebanon and London are incomparable. She loves the lifestyle in Lebanon as much as the one in London but she has built a life in London. “I miss my dad, my family, mankoushe, the kindness of people, the fact that you do two steps in the street and you know everybody, the warmth..” She also misses the constant social life and spontaneity in Lebanon. In London, the social life is more organized “You have to plan in advance, you have dinner parties, you are invited, you invite…” If she had a chance to go back and live in Lebanon, she wouldn’t go back. She always had the idea that when she is older, she will visit more but now because of the situation, it is much harder. She learned a lot living in London and she had the chance to develop her passion for art.

Home

Claudia used to have her own practice and she is now the London Partner for the firm “ MARIAGROUP Architects”.

She covers projects in London as well as all over the world. A project she worked on in London is the restaurant “Meat the Fish”. “London has always been exciting and on the radar. London has lived up to my expectations, being a cosmopolitan city. The most interesting thing in London is the people you meet along with the culture.” She believes the Lebanese community in London is more exposed to the world and is interested in their development and open-mindedness.

“THE

LEBANESE IDENTITY STICKS WITH YOU.”

I interviewed Fadi , a waiter/bartender at Layalina restaurant in Knightbridge. Fadi moved to London 2 years looking for a job.

The situation in Lebanon had made it difficult to work which is why Fadi decided to move although he hadn’t been to London before. Fadi wanted to stay in Lebanon with his Family and friends. What he misses the most about Lebanon is the feeling of being part of a community.

“10 YEARS AGO, LEBANON WAS MUCH PRETTIER! ” He had heard from many people that people come to London to make money, and that London life is “simple and easy”. When he arrived, he found itw really difficult finding an apartment, which he thought were really small. The weather is also not whe expected. He thought the Lebanese community in London is different. He had said “Some people don’t even seem Lebanese, but the ones that visit Lebanon from time to time are like the people he had known back home.

Identity

I interviewed Francois, the owner of Za’ta, a Lebanese restaurant that opened in 2020.

Francois came to London to be closer to his kids studying here. He travels a lot for work, from London to Cuba, to Lebanon. He has always worked in Kuwait and decided to open a new business in London because he saw an opportunity. He prefers life in Lebanon “There are advantages and disadvantages when living in Lebanon.” He would move back if he had the chance to return to Lebanon and stay. He believes people who have decided to leave Lebanon and find work are exposed to so much more which helps them succeed.

Oppurtunity

“THE ADVANTAGE OF WORKING OUTSIDE OF LEB� ANON IS HAVING THE CHANCE TO SUCCEED.” His original field of work is contracting which is why he found it difficult at first and there is a lot of competition. However, starting a business in London opens many doors for expanding that business internationally. The Lebanese community in London for him is better, is more responsible, and follows the rules more.

I Interviewed Rana, a graphic designer currently living in Miami. I had the opportunity to interview her through Zoom. She left Beirut when she was 17 to study at CSM and lived in London for 30 years. She built her business, got married, and had children in London but then moved to Lebanon for 12 years where she built her design studio. She then left for Miami because of the situation in Lebanon She first went to London because she realized there was no design education back then in Lebanon and she didn’t know anything else but design. Her life changed when she studied for a master’s at the Royal College of Art where she was able to embrace the Middle East in her work. She was doing it instinctively, selling her culture, through food design, and exporting design language. She told me “They will take you for your difference”. She didn’t know taking the Middle East to the West would lead to a career path. Some projects she worked on in London were the Harvey Nichols window display and the mural in the restaurant Comptoir Libanais.

“IT’S THE HUMANITY”

Art piece in Comptoir Libanais by Rana Salam

Main illustration for the Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2000 show invitation by Rana Salam

Window for Harvey Nichols’s summer collection by Rana Salam

For her, London was a base for education and work but she preferred the Lifestyle in Lebanon. She was celebrated in Lebanon but felt like people copied her work and people didn’t have the same value of the work, or the design as much as in London. She misses her apartment, surroundings, and spontaneity in Lebanon. She feels a bit alone in Miami but it has let her reflect on her life and work.

She wanted to change the perception of the Middle East but she doesn’t feel like she was able to in Miami yet. She would love to move back but it will be difficult and she feels like Lebanon has changed a lot. But the people are still really helpful and respectful (byekhdom w awedem).

In London, they are not as helpful. She was once in Marks and Spencer holding 4 bags nobody tried to help her. In Lebanon, if that was the case, anyone would have helped you instantly. Lebanese people in London are more snobby, she didnt click with them even though she came from the same background. She was too busy working and her goal was to click with the people in her university.

Work

I interviewed Hania, a visual artist in London. She has lived in London since 1985 and moved to London to be closer to her parents. Leaving Lebanon in 1975, she lived in America for a year before returning to Lebanon. Due to war, she left and attended a boarding school in France. She returned to Beirut for a while and eventually went back to America before making London her final destination. “Over 10 years, I had a very scattered life between three countries”.

“THERE IS BEAUTY IN BOTH, AND YOU MAKE BEAUTY IN BOTH”

Connection

She started as an interior designer/architect and worked on residential properties.

She’s always had this sensibility toward photography and it was always a hobby. She started working on her visual art 10 years ago which involved working on expanding the medium of photography for example video and installation work. 20 years ago, left her job and went back to Beirut for two months. “When u go back to what you know, your country, your life, your family. it’s in your blood and your habits.”

While London is now her stable home with family, she still misses the warmth that you have with your family and friends back home, as well as the laughter, the unique sense of humor, and course the food! She tries to go back a couple of times a year and would love to maybe retire there one day.

She learned to foster diverse cultures, to be much more calm, more questioning and not be blindfolded. “Living abroad gives you a unique perspective of the world and gives you to share insights with different types of people.” She came to London by default, she didn’t have a lot of expectations “England was the last place I wanted to be, marrying an Englishman was the last thing I thought I would ever do.” Her last leap was leaving Beirut to study in America. Lebanese people living in London adapted to the British culture, they learned to be more civil and considerate. “Lebanon offers a lot of things you don’t find in London.”

"The Lebanese diaspora is a mosaic of success stories, each one contributing to the legacy of our nation."

- Tammam Salam