People attend the "Christmas In Action" fair in Beirut, Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by Dana Halawi/Xinhua)
by Dana Halawi
BEIRUT, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Aline Husseini, owner of a vintage clothes shop in Beirut, is busy with preparations for the largest Christmas fair in the Lebanese capital.
The nine-day fair, which kicked off on Dec. 15, provides some respite for the Lebanese from the multiple crises the country is going through, she said, referring to the lingering financial crisis that started in 2019 and the border confrontations with Israel that began after the outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7.
"Lebanese have witnessed ups and downs in the country ... There's nothing we can do but live in great hope," Husseini said. As the festival is approaching, "people just want to feel the joyful atmosphere of Christmas," she said.
The 11th session of "Christmas In Action", which was held at the Forum De Beyrouth exhibition hall, has attracted about 200 dealers from the sectors of fashion, beauty, food and beverage, home decor, and toys. An average of 6,000 people visit the fair every day, according to Joelle Feghali, project manager of the event.
At the fair, people search for Christmas gifts for their loved ones, while children enjoy themselves by attending various activities.
"People in Lebanon are optimistic despite all crises," Feghali said, adding, "We were worried that some dealers may cancel their participation, but this did not happen."
Despite the lingering financial crisis that has plunged a large number of Lebanese families into poverty, many dealers said sales figures were not disappointing.
"Many families come to the event because parents don't want their children to immerse themselves in sadness due to the current difficulties," said Khalil Saad, a vendor at the fair, noting that businesses for children's products are good.
Peter Merhej, a vendor who sells bicycles, rollers, and skateboards, said he observed a high demand for his goods from Lebanese who have been waiting for such an occasion to buy gifts for their children and friends.
"We come here every day with a happy mood," Merhej said. "It's great to see people's happy faces despite the continuing crises in Lebanon.
Talia Hilal, a food vendor, said the fair allowed her to introduce foreign cuisine to the visitors.
"People come here to forget the hardships," she said. "We are lucky to have this opportunity."
In addition to the financial crisis, tension escalated along the Lebanon-Israel border since Oct. 8 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting the Israeli response by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.
