World Cup Fever Hits Lebanon
As June 11 approaches, fans all across the globe are enrobed in World Cup fever. It has soared in popularity enough to awaken a small town in Lebanon by the name of Bteghrine. Lebanon has been strife with political uncertainties and internal battles, but football is something that gives the Lebanese adequate respite. This can be measured in the way the small mountainous village has been decorated with Brazilian and German flags in anticipation of World Cup 2010.
Buildings that usually adorn flags of political parties are now wearing a different and festive look. The question remains though; why flags of both Brazil and Germany? The simple answer is that the residents cannot decide which team to support fully; some wholeheartedly support Germany whereas there are other residents who are diehard Brazilian fans. But whatever the case may be, it has added color and life to this sleepy village. There are not just Brazilian and German supporters here; some fans also have an affinity towards defending champions Italy, Spain, followed by Argentina and the Netherlands.
It somehow seems that support has been divided up into neighbourhoods. Scenes of residents carrying a thirty-three feet long and two feet wide German flag can be witnessed, along with some crazed fans tooting their car horns while driving through the streets of Bteghrine waving the flag of their choice.
And it is not just this village where the excitement for the World Cup has reached fever pitch. Beirut, along with other cities and villages, is also involved in the merriment. Football World Cup memorabilia is the hot item that every Lebanese wants to get their hands on, be it mugs, T-shirts, key chains, stickers, shoe laces, cell phone cases, among countless other items. Enthusiasm is so rife that residents are willing to pay up to 100 dollars just to get their hands on the flag of their choice.
The Lebanese are enjoying their time celebrating the World Cup as it gives them a break from dealing with the daily politics that the country faces. It is a time for the whole Lebanese community to unite rather than the usual scenes of sectarian differences that lead to blood battles on the streets. There is noise in the streets of Lebanon, but this time of a different kind. The only difference and competition among the residents during the time of the World Cup is who will hoist the biggest flag and who will arrange the largest car rallies in favour of the team of their choice.
The Football World Cup is nostalgic for the Lebanese and it holds a major significance in their history as well. During the Civil War between 1975 and 1990, football was the only time when the otherwise deadly militia would drop their arms and ammunition just to watch a game. It was a time of peace. Thus, football for the Lebanese correlates to peace and unity.
Brazil currently is home to the largest Lebanese expatriate community, so it could be due to family ties or just plain good football that it has a huge fan base in Lebanon. A fact to note here is that whereas there are only four million Lebanese living in Lebanon, there is actually double the number of Lebanese residing in Brazil. Thus support for the former champions seems to be rampant in Lebanon.
But there are also those that support multiple teams, albeit they do have their favourites. In this way, if one team loses, they always have another to cheer on. Thus it seems that the party in Lebanon, which has already started, will end only on July 11, once the World Cup has come to an end. Everything before that date will be a time for merriment, laughter and peace.
Tags: