Lebanon by Fulvio Roiter

Description

LebanonPostcard presents the beautiful rare book Lebanon by Fulvio Roiter, 1980, hardcover book with protection, 32×25 cm, 238 pages. (Used book but still in good condition)

Why is this book being published at the beginning of a decade which seems so uncertain in so many respects? The answer is really quite simple. In spite of pervasive references to the war in Lebanon and in the midst of persisting regional tensions, Lebanon is seeking to reaffirm its true image, and this book is, in a sense, testimony to that impulse. Lebanon has always been synonymous with beauty, and the aim of this work is to capture the image of a Lebanon which has once again regained something of its former character and splendour. Only the pictorial seems genuinely capable of reflecting the epic of this land, rich in history, natural beauty and human diversity, a land which, moreover, was for a long time the harbinger of civilization, when the word had meaning only this side of the Mediterranean.

Now, more than ever before, Lebanon intends to reassert itself and to proclaim its deserved right to existence, as, indeed, it always has throughout its long history, overcoming reversals of fortune such as that which the country has suffered in the recent past. Hence, this book is a way of drawing the attention of the world, of reaffirming Lebanon’s being; it is a way of expressing hope that the country will be permitted to regain its serenity.

it is the topography of Lebanon, mountains and coastal cities, which has determined its character. Could it have developed its special nature without the mountains? These have been through the ages a refuge for minorities anxious to preserve their traditions and ways of life. They have struggled unremittingly to maintain their identity, and as a result of their efforts the various ethnic groups have been moulded into one. Indeed, solidarity has been dictated by both geography and history. On the other hand, from time immemorial Lebanon’s important coastal settlements have provided the country with a vital link between two worlds. From earliest times Lebanon has been the meeting point of East and West, a means of transmitting civilization, and it is understandable, therefore, that the Lebanese should be fully aware of the important mission that has been imposed upon them by their history.

How could one be insensitive to the values of toleration and liberty in a country that has offered the world the hopeful ideal of multi-communal coexistence? Despite their diversity and their short-lived antagonisms, the communities of Lebanon actually complement one another, and it is important to remember that every time a crisis has threatened Lebanon’s stability, it has come about either as a result of outside forces, regional turmoil or foreign interference. Even so, neither crises nor wars have affected the desire of the people to share a common destiny.

Tolerance and freedom are the comerstones of the Lebanese nation, whose unyielding adherence to them has at times exposed the country to painful ordeals. That these very values should be turned against this country by those who wish to abuse them, has not deterred the Lebanese from their profound attachment to them.

Indeed, multi-communal coexistence is the living principle of the Lebanese people, and it is the ideal of a state which has remained a genuine nation and an integral part of the Arab World. Lebanon has chosen for its flag a prophetic emblem: the eternal cedar, which has endured numerous storms and crises and remains strong.

Lebanon, today, is more than ever a necessary entity. It is a haven of liberty, and as crossroads between East and West, is no less an entrepôt for ideas than for goods. Actually, this exchange often develops far beyond Lebanon’s borders, as the country’s expatriate citizens largely outnumber the local population, important Lebanese communities existing in both North and South America, as well as in Australia and Africa. Although these emigrants are integrated into their adoptive homelands, they generally retain a deep attachment to the land of their forefathers.

Fulvio Roiter is a real poet of photography at the height of his international fame, and Lebanon is one of the countries which has particularly captured his artistic curiosity. This book brings good tidings, a message of hope, of Lebanon regained.

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