AGP Executive Report

Documentary & Gaza healthcare spotlight: A documentary screening for “Life Support,” featuring Oxford University Hospitals Trust doctor Prof. Nick Maynard’s work in Gaza, drew over 100 attendees after its screening was moved to a larger cinema due to demand, highlighting how doctors rely on footage and testimony amid media barriers. Music as resistance: “Yalla Drum” wrapped up a Palestine-focused exhibit with an Arabic percussion performance that brought together 125+ people and showcased Arab, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Egyptian artists through rhythm, pride, and protest. Regional arts & culture market buzz: Frieze’s growth from London to Abu Dhabi is framed as a sign the art fair circuit is expanding across West Asia and North Africa, with Abu Dhabi positioned as a new art-market hub. Lebanon arts & community recognition: Alpine Valley Post Acute and Healthcare Center in Lebanon (PA) earned AHCA/NCAL’s Bronze “Commitment to Quality” award, with a renovation and therapy upgrades planned—an arts-adjacent local win for community care. Lebanon sports (youth): Lebanon boys qualify for their first state golf tournament, while local volleyball and soccer results keep Lebanon-area school sports in the spotlight.

UN & Gulf Diplomacy: Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim used the UN General Assembly to push dialogue, call for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and warn that “what has happened in Gaza is genocide,” while also backing Lebanon’s sovereignty and a ceasefire under UNSC 1701. Lebanon Arts & Culture: Christie’s marks 20 years in the UAE with its first Abu Dhabi fine-art sale on Nov. 1, spotlighting modern and contemporary Middle Eastern and North African artists. Film & TV: Netflix’s “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” debuted at No. 1 with 12.1M views, while “Fauda” Season 5 continues to draw attention in the Middle East with its Oct. 7 storyline. Fashion Spotlight: Beirut-born designer Nadine Kanso turns Arabic letterforms into wearable jewelry through her Bil Arabi label. Community Health (Lebanon-linked): The HIV/HCV Resource Center hosts a community syringe cleanup day in New Hampshire, led by a Lebanon-based nonprofit.

Lebanon Heritage & Faith: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) is stepping up to preserve Lebanon’s Christian past, protecting both archives and living traditions as emigration threatens communities and cultural transmission. Arab Art on the Global Stage: TIME’s TIME100 Art 2026 spotlights five Arab figures, including Lebanese-British sound artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan, whose work turns audio into human-rights storytelling. Opera in Beirut: The Beirut International Opera Festival and Competition kicked off with a Grand Gala at Zouk Mikaël, featuring mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti and an international orchestra, with competition and masterclasses planned for 2027. Film & Storytelling: A documentary series from VIFF highlights global searches, including a tribute to Lebanese journalist and filmmaker Jocelyne Saab. Arts & Culture Beyond Lebanon: Tripoli’s Rachid Karami International Fair launched a tender to redevelop its site into a five-star hotel and future destination for exhibitions and conferences.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: A new exhibition pairs Ilana Savdie with Chaïm Soutine at Norr Cohan, using their very different styles to explore desire, disgust, and color across a century. Film & Community: Garod Collective brought five short films by Armenian women to BAM Cinema in Brooklyn, tracing family, parenthood, and identity through loss. Music & Politics: Ed Sheeran addressed the Gaza controversy tied to Macklemore’s removal from his tour, while the broader debate over artists speaking out for Palestine keeps spilling into mainstream headlines. Local Arts & Events: Lebanon-area audiences can look ahead to “Girls in Aviation Day” at Lebanon Airport, plus a packed week of Arab film programming highlighted by Mizna’s Twin Cities Arab Film Fest. Lebanon Spotlight: Lebanon police asked the public to help identify two suspects in antisemitic graffiti cases across multiple city sites. Arts/Entertainment Tech: Players allege Middle East versions of Marvel’s Wolverine game were edited to remove references to Mystique’s relationship.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: Lebanese DJs Jool and Jorg have teamed up for the first time as Unexpected Context, releasing the Controlled Disorder EP on Desimana—house, techno, electro and broken-beat with a vocal-led opener (“Silent Chaos”) and a track that reworks classic house patterns (“Non Common House”). Music & Identity: Lebanese-Syrian electro-tarab duo Rust drops “Ghurba,” a grief-soaked single about exile, pairing microtonal vocals with glitchy electronics and a studio-set music video. Arts & Youth: Girls in Aviation Day brought local teens to Lebanon Airport to explore flying careers, including helicopter access and chats with women pilots. Regional Arts Scene: Turkey’s Contemporary Istanbul returns (Sept. 23–27) with 70+ galleries and 17 newcomers, including Beirut’s Galerie Tanit. Design & Craft: The Arab World Institute Design Prize 2026 names winners across architecture, furniture and craft, centered on “tradition and transmission.” Politics in the Spotlight: Lebanon’s Parliament renewed confidence in PM Nawaf Salam’s government as Hezbollah MPs walked out, keeping the debate over southern Lebanon and state control of weapons front and center.

Middle East Travel Alert: The U.S. warned Americans that the Saudi–Houthi conflict could “escalate rapidly,” urging people to avoid Iran and watch for flight disruptions, with multiple embassies including Lebanon posting updated security notices. Regional Power Politics: Hezbollah’s secretary-general said Iran has “won” against U.S.-Israeli aims, framing resistance as the path to liberating occupied land. Lebanon in Sports & Culture: Lebanon’s presence shows up in regional sport as Kyrgyzstan schedules friendlies in Bishkek against Lebanon (Oct. 4), with entertainment programs planned for fans. Arts & Community Spotlight: Lebanon–India cultural ties get a boost as Lebanese Youth and Sports Minister Nora Bayrakdarian and MP Adib Abdel Massih join the Viksit Bharat Run hosted by the Indian Embassy, plus sports events and a QIP motorcycle handover. Bookish Ideas: A Lebanese-American author’s “anti-library” concept is highlighted in a piece celebrating the value of unread books and curiosity.

Asian Games Spotlight: China’s table tennis teams topped their groups and advanced to the knockout stage, with Hong Kong beating Lebanon 3-0 in Group E—another reminder that Lebanon’s athletes are still in the regional mix. Lebanon Sports & Community: Kyrgyzstan announced friendly matches in Bishkek against Maldives and Lebanon (Oct. 4), with an entertainment program before kickoff—good news for fans tracking Lebanon’s international fixtures. Arts & Memory in Focus: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is hosting “The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return,” reviving a Palestinian-Lebanese artist’s wartime exhibition through surviving records and a new curatorial project. Collecting Culture: The Qatar Philatelic and Numismatic Center won multiple medals at Egyphila, including a Large Gilt for “Lebanon Covers Held During World War II.” Music & Activism: Macklemore’s $1M pledge tied to his Ed Sheeran tour fallout is being framed as both relief and renewed attention for Palestinian aid groups. Lebanon in the News Cycle: A Lebanese minister attended India’s Vikasit Bharat Run 2026, blending sports, diaspora events, and cultural diplomacy.

Mideast Arts & Culture Watch: Lebanon’s region is again in the spotlight as Saudi Arabia confirms Houthi attempts to strike Riyadh with a ballistic missile, while Israel says it hit Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon after an explosive device wounded two soldiers—an atmosphere that’s also driving wider calls for justice around war-damaged cultural heritage. Humanitarian Spotlight in Pop Culture: Macklemore’s $1M pledge for Palestinian relief—tied to his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian remarks—has put aid groups back in the headlines, with recipients highlighting ongoing trauma and urgent needs. Language & Faith Debate: A new discussion asks whether Jesus spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, tracing how Hebrew returned to public life while Aramaic dominated everyday speech in the first century. Arts, Food & Community: A new Mediterranean tapas spot, Favorita, opens in Newlyn, and fashion designers continue to mine grief and mourning for runway collections—showing how art turns loss into form.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: A Lebanese visual artist, Lina Jouni, is turning Israeli missile debris from southern Lebanon into art—reshaping weapons and war memories into symbols of life and dignity. Community & Heritage: St. Ann Maronite Church is set to host its 31st Lebanese Heritage Day Festival on Sunday, with Lebanese food, pastries, raffles, music, and dancing. Arts & Film (regional): Netflix’s Fauda Season 5 is drawing major attention in Lebanon and across Arab countries, with coverage focusing on how the new season tackles the shadow of Oct. 7. Sports & Culture (Lebanon-linked): Indian Railways is confirmed for the FIBA WASL Final 8 2026 in Zouk Mikael (Sept. 26–Oct. 4), bringing a major basketball moment to Lebanon. Fashion: CFDA chief Steven Kolb steps down after a runway incident involving protesters at a New York show.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: Lebanese artist Lina Jouni is turning Israeli missile debris into art in southern Lebanon, using creativity to process trauma and reclaim dignity amid ongoing strikes. Festival & Heritage: Lebanon will “turn back the clocks” for the Back to the ’50s festival, with the 32nd edition set to bring classic cars and vintage fashion back to Boone County on Sept. 19. Animation Spotlight: ANIMASYROS 2026 has unveiled its full program for Sept. 21–27 in Syros, featuring 280+ films from 50 countries, competition sections, masterclasses, and screenings across nearby islands. Books & Reading: The Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s 20-year legacy was highlighted at Abu Dhabi’s book fair, with winners spanning literature, translation, young authors, and publishing/technology. Food as Culture: “The World in the Heart of Bogota” festival (Sept. 19–20) brings 12 countries together through signature dishes, including Lebanon’s kibbeh and maakarun. Regional Arts & Conflict: A new Lebanese/Israel-related arts angle also surfaced via Netflix’s Fauda Season 5 and the U.S. release of Israeli spy story Checkout, as debate over audience appetite grows.

Northwich Market Opening: Northwich’s new Barons Quay market officially opened with 19 stalls, indoor/outdoor seating, free Wi‑Fi, and a community art installation made with local school pupils—an upbeat “tradition meets modernity” boost for traders. Lebanon Heritage & History: A deep dive into Qalaat Faqra’s Roman-era tower in Kfardebian links inscriptions to how local gods blended with imperial cults, spotlighting Lebanon’s layered past. Arts Community in Lebanon: Lebanon, New Hampshire’s Alliance for the Visual Arts Gallery and Art Center expands support for emerging artists through free monthly meetups and critique sessions. Music & Culture Debate: The Ed Sheeran/Macklemore tour fallout keeps rippling—radio stations and venues respond, while global coverage frames the controversy as a clash over celebrity activism and public platforms. Sports With Lebanon Ties: Teqball at the Asian Games puts Lebanon’s Kamar Dandal in the bronze mix, while Lebanon’s presence also shows up in Netflix’s “Fauda” Season 5 charting in Lebanon. Regional Diplomacy (Arts-adjacent): Nepal’s cabinet recommended ambassadors to 13 countries, including bios for nominees—more policy than culture, but still part of the week’s public-facing headlines.

Streaming & TV: Netflix’s “Fauda” Season 5 has surged globally, hitting a top spot in Israel and Lebanon after its Sept. 7–13 release, with the new episodes revisiting the Oct. 7 attacks and their aftermath. Music & Politics: The Ed Sheeran–Macklemore tour fallout keeps escalating, with reports of radio bans and fresh backlash after Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks and his subsequent $1M donation pledge. Fashion: Eveningwear at NYFW Spring 2027 leans hard into a Greek revival, with designers leaning into draping, gilded details, and “Odyssey”-style styling. Lebanon Spotlight (Sports): Lebanon’s football team is nearing a long losing-streak record, while local district golf news highlights Lebanon boys’ district title win. Arts & Culture (Lebanon-linked): A piece on Lebanon’s “Back to the ’50s” festival points to the country turning back the clocks for its 32nd edition.

Christie’s Abu Dhabi Debut: Christie’s will stage its first-ever fine art auction in Abu Dhabi on November 1, with “MAWASIM: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art” featuring 70+ works and a wider programme of exhibitions and talks. Film & TV: Pingyao Film Festival unveils its 10th edition line-up, opening with a 4K restoration of “Spring In A Small Town,” while Netflix’s “Fauda” season five topped charts in Lebanon—sparking debate about cultural consumption amid boycott laws. Fashion & Culture: New York Fashion Week spotlights Arab stars’ style moments, including Lebanese actress Razane Jammal’s monochrome look. Heritage Returns: Lebanon hands back 37 ancient Egyptian artefacts to Egypt after they were seized in Beirut in 2020, including masks, Coptic textiles, amulets, statues and decorated coffins. Lebanon’s 1950s Revival: Lebanon will turn back the clocks for the 32nd Back to the ’50s festival. Local Arts & Hospitality: Allo Beirut marks eight years with regional expansion, including a new Baghdad opening.

Cultural Heritage: Lebanon returned 37 ancient Egyptian artefacts to Egypt in a ceremony at the National Museum of Beirut, after they were seized at the Port of Beirut in 2020; the items include masks, wooden dolls, Coptic textiles, glass-paste amulets, statues and two decorated wooden coffins. Local Arts & Community: LebFest is back at Colburn Park on Saturday, Sept. 19 (rain date Sept. 20), with live music, crafts and food plus a new Arts Corridor featuring public art installations and hands-on activities, alongside a Climate Corner. TV & Pop Culture: HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry Season 2 continues filming with new cast additions including Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, Gerry Dee, Michelle Mylett, Lauren Chan and Nick Stahl, with a spring New York premiere teased. Media Industry: Dubai+ strengthened partnerships at the Arab Media Summit, bringing together regional media and entertainment leaders including Lebanon’s Minister of Information, Dr. Paul Morcos. Arts Memory: Hyperallergic’s In Memoriam marks the loss of designer Cat Frazier and gallerist Khaled Al Awar, highlighting their impact on internet aesthetics and arts advocacy. Music Controversy: The Ed Sheeran–Macklemore fallout keeps escalating as Macklemore pledges $1M to Palestinian relief and more support acts withdraw from the tour.

Music & Culture: Ed Sheeran’s US “Loop Tour” is in crisis after Macklemore was dropped over “Free Palestine” comments, triggering a cascade of withdrawals from remaining opening acts including Finneas, Myles Smith, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga—while Sheeran insists the decision was made by promoters and that his shows aren’t a political forum. Arts & Craft: Cartier spotlights Middle Eastern creativity through collaborations, from Lebanese embroidery designer Salim Azzam’s panther charm for its Bodrum flagship to Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki’s poems for Emirati Women’s Day. Music (Lebanon): Gharam Electric releases “Maydani (Medina Blues),” a garage-rock track that fuses Levantine folk motifs with rap and a stark, rooftop-centered video. Regional Arts/Media: The Arab Media Summit 2026 continues in Dubai with sessions on film, AI in newsrooms, and a screening of “From Inside Gaza.” Energy (Lebanon): Cyprus and Lebanon begin a first technical meeting on a proposed subsea electricity link, with World Bank financing for feasibility studies.

Music & Culture Backlash: Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop stadium tour is in turmoil after Macklemore was dropped for onstage “Free Palestine” remarks, with multiple opening acts pulling out and Sheeran insisting he’s “not complicit” and that venues/promoters made the final call. Arts & Community: Global Artivism Month launched to link street art, murals, poetry, and performances into a 40-day push for social, economic, and environmental justice—explicitly including Beirut among key local scenes. Film & Animation: ANIMASYROS returns to Syros (Sept. 21–27) with 280+ films, tributes, and workshops, while the Ottawa International Animation Festival marks its 50th edition (Sept. 23–27). Exhibitions: Christina Anid’s “Roots in the Sky” retrospective opens at Piraeus Municipal Art Gallery, tracing memory and exile through collages, sculptures, and “armor” dresses. Tech for Creatives: Apple expands iCloud+ into a broader bundle in 100+ countries by adding Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra charge. Local Lebanon Angle: Lebanon’s Speaker Nabih Berri and Iran’s Araghchi discussed regional coordination against Israeli plots.