in Lebanon, the end of Ramadan marred by the economic crisis

The narrow alleys of the Basta district, in Beirut, have a festive air. The scooters weave their way between the dozens of passers-by admiring the windows. Everywhere multicolored garlands flash but very few people enter the stores. Eid el Fitr, which celebrates the end of a month of fasting, is an opportunity for the Lebanese to get together as a family around a big meal and to give each other gifts. But on this eve of the festivity, the atmosphere is spoiled by an endless economic crisis and record inflation.

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“Here, we are in a working-class district, there are only poor people. For them, everything has become unaffordable, deplores Zeina who runs a small grocery store. For example, the cumin that we put in Ramadan soup every day now costs the equivalent of 8.50 euros per kilo. So customers only buy a very small sachet.”

“I sell a lot less sweets too. With the devaluation, their price has increased 30 times in three years.”

Zeina, shopkeeper from Beirut

at franceinfo

A mother of four children told franceinfo that she too was forced to tighten her belt: “Before for Eid, we gave five euros to each child, it’s a tradition. But now, we give them a few cents, for the symbol, that they still have a small gift”.

“What do you want us to celebrate?”

In Hassan’s butcher’s just opposite, customers are not rushing either. Meat has become a luxury and the trader has lost a quarter of his customers: “Since 2019, every year it’s been getting worse and worse. But we have to keep running the shop to pay for my children’s university.” This Thursday evening, Hassan will reunite with his family in southern Lebanon to celebrate Eid. “I’m going to spend two days in the village. We’re going to meet up with the family, discuss things in life, he explains. And above all, do not talk about politics!

On the top floor of a dilapidated building, the Darwish family crammed into a tiny apartment. For Khadija, her husband and their five children, dinner tonight will not be a celebratory meal: “Eid should be a moment of joy, but we are unhappy. With the devaluation, my husband’s salary is only worth 50 euros per me. What do you want us to celebrate?” This ritual feast may be the last that Khadija will spend with her children in Lebanon. All are looking for a way to leave their country.