Dancing in Beirut

Commissioned by the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Lebanon Diplomatic Relations in 2021. Dancing in Beirut by the Filipino-Lebanese visual artist, Miguel Kairuz, features Filipino and Lebanese couples captured mid-movement showcasing their respective folk dances. The Filipino pair is dancing the Pandanggo sa Ilaw while the Lebanese pair performs the Dabke. The seemingly turbulent backdrop contextualized in contemporary events, represents the surrounding chaos due to the severe economic crisis in Lebanon and the COVID-19 pandemic, among other global issues. Despite the chaos and challenges, the painting portrays the persistent cultural interactions between the Philippines and Lebanon through their peoples whose bond is the lynchpin of their countries’ relations. The sun perched on top represents the artist’s hint of optimism and aspiration for a better future for the Philippines and Lebanon.