• Reclaiming the Commons in Beirut استعادة المشاع في بيروت | ArteEast
    http://www.arteeast.org/2013/10/20/reclaiming-the-seashore-through-art-and-activism

    Lebanon is blessed with 220 km of coastline. While this should be an asset for all Lebanese and visitors to enjoy, this coastline is now subject to constant violations. We have documented 1,140 encroachments along the beachfront – an average of 5.18 intrusions per kilometer. Only 73 of those encroachments are ‘licensed’ to privatise parts of this coast. The construction and appropriation of public lands in Beirut, and all over Lebanon, provides a lucrative business for those who have power, control or simply just the ‘right’ connections, in order to accumulate massive personal wealth.

    Some of us, faced with this injustice, grew frustrated, but surrendered by saying ma hayda libnan (‘but this is Lebanon’). Others chose to act on these frustrations, hoping that they can change things. It is in this context that a group of economists, journalists and activists met in August 2012, and started preparing for a big event; a sort of end-of-summer party. The idea was to use it as a launch for the campaign and movement we decided to call Mashaa’ (‘the commons’), and attract a wide range of people, especially young. It wouldn’t be yet another monotonous political meeting under a ceiling fan and neon lights. We would invite designers, illustrators, artists, musicians, and performers, and we would have fun.

    #Beyrouth
    #domaine_public_maritime
    #littoral
    en prolongement de http://seenthis.net/messages/193205