In recent years, Lebanon has been grappling with a persistent economic crisis, causing several sectors to bear the brunt of this dire situation. Within this context, a venerable institution in Lebanon's cultural landscape finds itself in the throes of a significant downturn: bookstores. the past four years have presented an existential challenge for Beirut's bookstores, particularly the independent ones. Remarkably however, the enduring passion of the Lebanese capital for literature and books remains undiminished.
One gem of a bookstore that stands as a thriving family-run establishment is the Halabi Bookshop nested in the Kaskas area of Beirut. Stepping into the Halabi Bookshop, one instantly recognizes its profound reverence for literature, heritage and culture. The space is not only a sanctuary for books but also a welcoming haven for curious visitors, avid readers and book lovers.
Amidst the resonant melodies of the celebrated Lebanese singer Fairouz, one finds oneself immersed in a new world, where shelves packed with an extensive array of books and magazines, ascend toward the lofty ceiling of this tiny store. Navigating this treasure trove becomes a delightful challenge, as the uppermost books are accessible only by a ladder, inciting curious explorers to reach new heights in the world of literature.
The shop gathers an extensive collection of books, with Arabic, French, and English titles readily available. Here, you can explore a diverse selection, encompassing both non-fiction and novels, covering subjects such as science, Art, plays, poetry, politics, education, history, religion, philosophy and more. You can also find second-hand books for very affordable prices. What is enchanting about this bookshop are the books that introduce you to the Arabic language in a remarkably friendly and approachable manner. Here, you'll even find resources dedicated to mastering Lebanese dialect specifically, making the prospect of learning both enriching and inviting. The shop also offers artworks, keychains, bookmarks, stickers, pens, notebooks and calendars, all locally produced.
Everything here is handled with great care, from the vibrant red façade of the store to the curated selection of each book to the packaging. When you step inside, you're welcomed as if you're at home, offered tea and cookies, and introduced to the unique and inspirational tale of the history of the bookshop by the owners themselves, siblings Karim and Lana Halabi.
The story goes as follows.
At first, back in 1958, the bookshop used to be the grocery store of Karim and Lana’s grandfather. Then came the Lebanese civil war in the 70s where the store was closed. Then in the 90s Abdallah Halabi, their father, gradually started accumulating more and more books and magazines in the shop, stacking them up to the ceiling, until the space could not even be accessible anymore. In 2014, Lana and Karim decided it was time to revamp the place. They used to work in the marketing and in the fashion industry but decided to dedicate their precious time to revive this establishment. It took 8 months to renovate the store bringing a breath of fresh air into the premise while keeping an essence of nostalgia. Since 2016, the Halabi siblings are engaged in promoting their love for books by hosting children’s readings, book launchings, book clubs and cultural events, with a growing community of bibliophile of all ages.
Through challenges, the Halabi Bookshop has persevered, fostering a love of reading and open-mindedness, providing a welcoming space for its visitors. Its commitment to sharing the joy of literature is a testament to the enduring power of books and the dedication of its owners, the Halabi family.
You can discover and buy books from the Halabi’s collection on their website:
https://www.halabibookshop.com/ar/shop
And don’t hesitate to follow the Halabi Bookshop on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/HalabiBookshop
