From March 28 to July 28, 2019, the Institute of Cultures of Islam presents “C’est Beyrouth”, exhibition curated by Sabyl Ghoussoub.
The works of sixteen photographers and videographers testify to the place of the individual, religion and community in Beirut today, since the Israeli-Lebanese conflict of 2006.
In the course of the meetings which punctuate this cultural season, C’est Beyrouth gives to see differently the upheavals and effervescence of the Lebanese society. Today we invite you to an extract of an interview with Myriam Boulos who was interested in migrant domestic workers.
Can you explain the reasons behind your interest in migrant domestic workers? And why did you choose to photograph them on a Sunday, their day off?
Myriam Boulos: I have always found these women fascinating. I always saw them as representatives of both social and political struggles. I really wanted to photograph them outside their work, as women, and not as “cleaning women” as they are so often referred to by my fellow citizens in Lebanon. I use the word women often as Lebanese society is still a patriarchy, and being a woman is a daily struggle and I identify with them in this context. Sunday is their only day off, the only day where we can truly see their place in the city. I often use the context of parties, holidays in my work in order to examine society.
