For many centuries, Lebanon has been a place where creativity abounds and artists thrive. Beirut today is a melting pot for the arts; writers collaborate with storytellers and musicians perform live with artists. The need to express dominates and consumes, and the need for creative outlets is imperative to Beirut’s continued resilience.
In the midst of this artistic creativity is FADE IN, a creative writing hub that is pushing Beirut’s artistic community to express themselves through the written word.
Nadia Tabbara, the founder of FADE IN, is an animated writer whose conviction in the importance of writing is refreshingly clear. She first started FADE IN as a Facebook group where she posted thoughts and casual musings. Since then, FADE IN has grown into one of the most active creative hubs in the city.
FADE IN, based in Mar Mikhael, hosts workshops and private lessons for all kinds of creative writing, from poetry to screenplays to short stories. They are also well known for the performative events they host around Beirut, like open mic nights and readings. Nadia describes FADE IN as a “place where writers come to grow and learn from themselves and the people around them.”
What really makes FADE IN unique is their content-driven methodology. “People think that writing is about talent, but you have to practice constantly… what makes someone a writer is writing even when you don’t want to and even when you have writer’s block.” Many of the participants in their workshops aren’t professional writers, but come from a wide range of backgrounds. “We get architects, businessmen, advertisers… There is no right and wrong in the creative method. There’s only you and what you have to say.”
Moving forward, FADE IN will start hosting business writing workshops for companies or individuals. Their classes will range from PowerPoint development to email writing, tailored to people who want to improve their professional communication.
Beirut is a constantly evolving city that has created many spaces for artistic growth and FADE IN has emerged as an important hub for that continued growth and sense of community.
To learn more about Fade In’s workshops and events, visit fadeinbeirut.com or check out their Facebook page.
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