Every city has stories that remain hidden, with heroes behind the scenes who alter the course of history. 'Behind The Walls of Beirut' is a collection of tales that narrate the stories of those who didn’t have the chance to enter history but were heroes nonetheless, living a day behind Beirut's walls. The city and its streets have fascinating and humorous tales, whether about places like Ain Mreisseh, Lazariah, Beir El Abed, and Borj Al Barajneh, or diverse figures like Giordano Pedoti, a taxi driver for the Sarraf family, who played a role in producing Lebanon's first silent film; Hanifa, the sister of men who alone could manipulate elections; and Jamal Pasha the Butcher, including details of his murder night, among others. Imad Bazzi brings flashes of Beirut's history, from the Ottoman period to the civil war, acting as a storyteller reviving tram stations, old Beirut cafés, phonograph nights, and the early days of color TV. He presents reality as it is, with humor and pain. Twenty-seven tales are told in a smooth and contemporary language, bringing us the heart of Beirut, its streets, alleys, and homes, allowing us to live the history, society, and culture deeply.

Publishing house: Dar Al Matarat for Publishing and Distribution
Number of Pages: 168
Year of publication: 2015