The Woman Behind the Walls

She has exhibited successfully at home and abroad, and has been commissioned to paint everything from cloud-filled private libraries to Italian frescos. "I would like it if everyone would participate, if people were more interested, each chipping in his little part in the reconstruction," said the painter. She added, "I didn't live in the war, therefore I don't have the slightest idea of what it was." Succar said, "Maybe people who experienced the war were simply too distraught to try to build again." It takes a major leap of faith to trust that things won't be torn down again, the artist said. The murals themselves will be taken down once the reconstruction is complete, and their ultimate fate remains to be seen. If Succar's murals help to ease the pain of reconstruction, her contribution to the rebirth of Beirut is not going to make her wealthy. Gina gets only 25 dollars for each square meter. But, according to her, "It's worth the effort. I like participating in the reconstruction." The muralist hopes that the day will come when a real peace accord with Israel will be implemented in the region. "People will feel more secure and will say, now we can paint, we can reconstruct, because they're not going to bomb us any more." Previous Page

Feature Stories Caught in the cross fire: Is Beirut Ready for Tourism? Marriage: Lebanese Style Meet Lebanon's only Male Belly Dancer Christians Looking for a Better Future A Visit to a Palestinian Camp CONTACT US WHO ARE WE? Back to Home Page