An-Nahar Feature: Nidal Majdalani… The Image of the Lebanon We Love
Kenny-Joe Chamoun – An-Nahar
https://www.annahar.com/arabic/article/848097-نضال-مجدلاني-صورة-لبنان-
It is a profound love for life and nature, a deep affection for the homeland that drives her to dedicate a visit to every hill, valley, and slope across Lebanon. On foot or by car, she journeys undeterred by winter storms or the scorching summer heat, carried by a perpetual spring breeze that accompanies her year-round through peace and freedom. Enchanted by the splendor of nature and the timeless charm of Lebanese villages, Nidal Majdalani, with her camera in hand, transports you to a world immortalized by Lebanon’s greatest thinkers, writers, artists, and poets. She is a professional photographer, an avid hiker, and a passionate advocate for environmental and heritage preservation.
Scrolling through her personal Instagram page whisks you away in an instant, as her captivating photos and thoughtful captions take you on a journey through Lebanon’s timeless beauty, where the past meets the present, igniting your desire to visit places your feet have never touched—places that stir both the mind and imagination. You find yourself drawn to the majestic cedars of Tannourine, Bsharri, and Chouf, reaching skyward, and to the crimson-tiled rooftops of Douma and Hasroun, clinging to the cliffs of the valley below.
At first, Nidal Majdalani simply wanted to share the beauty she encountered during her adventures with family and friends. Encouraged by their admiration, they urged her to showcase her photographs on social media. In early 2017, she made her Instagram page public, opening it to a wider audience. Over time, her following grew from just 200 to over 13,500 followers.
Majdalani kept her page genuine and uncommercial, as her initial intent was never financial gain but rather to introduce people to the breathtaking beauty of Lebanon. She added only one simple phrase beneath her name: “Travelling Lebanon”—a true reflection of what she does: traveling across every corner of Lebanon.
Today, Nidal Majdalani’s followers actively engage with every photo she shares, often asking questions that might cross your mind as well, such as: How can we reach this area? Are there any restaurants nearby? What activities can we do there?
Majdalani realizes that her page has naturally evolved into a trusted travel guide for exploring Lebanon.
In the presence of such breathtaking imagery, one cannot help but ask: How well do we truly know Lebanon? What image do we paint of it in our minds? Is the poetry written about our homeland merely ink on paper? No, it was born from and nourished by the very scenes captured through Nidal Majdalani’s lens, whispering loudly: “We don’t always need to travel abroad for joy and adventure—Lebanon is more beautiful than any destination we could escape to.”
So how does Majdalani capture such professional, soul-stirring photographs?
She spends her holidays exploring countless hidden corners of the country, shedding light on historical and cultural landmarks. Hiking through remote villages, navigating rugged off-road trails, and trekking snowy landscapes with her snowshoes, Majdalani preserves the sights she encounters through photographs infused with raw emotion and heartfelt connection.
Domestic Tourism: A Path to Rooting Ourselves in the Land
As advocates of domestic tourism that contributes to our country’s growth, Nidal Majdalani shares her insight, emphasizing:
“When we promote domestic tourism, we encourage people to visit forgotten villages just two hours away from the city, where they can spend a wonderful day, support local businesses, and indirectly help villagers preserve our heritage, tend to their land, open restaurants or guesthouses, and remain in their hometowns. If we don’t support each other, our villages will be abandoned.”
With heartfelt conviction, Majdalani exclaims:
“This is our country! This is our land! It belongs to us! Are we just going to leave it behind and walk away?”
Countering Negative Publicity…
Nidal Majdalani firmly condemns the negative publicity often promoted about Lebanon, which distorts the true essence of our homeland. She highlights her continuous effort to present an opposing narrative, one that showcases the authentic beauty of our natural and cultural heritage.
Notably, her platform has become a trusted resource for travel bloggers from around the world who reach out to her for guidance and inspiration when exploring Lebanon.
For instance, Majdalani shares with An-Nahar a conversation she had with a young German traveler. He had heard much about the dangerous situation in Lebanon, but after seeing Majdalani freely exploring and photographing every corner of the country, he realized that Lebanon was neither as dangerous nor as polluted as it was often portrayed. This encouraged him to visit Beirut with a friend, where they worked on crafting an article accompanied by photos. His conclusion? Beirut felt safer than many places he had visited around the world.
Majdalani takes pride in knowing that her efforts resonate beyond Lebanon’s borders, inspiring many travelers to add the country to their itineraries. She adds passionately:
"What matters most is that we, first and foremost, believe in our country and see its beauty ourselves, so that we can genuinely convince the world just how beautiful it truly is."
Lebanon’s Cleanliness: Its Passport to the World
Majdalani underscores the importance of maintaining the country's cleanliness, emphasizing that it is Lebanon’s passport to attracting visitors. She notes that she refrains from posting photos of unclean towns on her platform.
In conclusion, we echo Nidal’s heartfelt conviction:
“In the end, it all comes down to our love for our country, our love for our land... Lebanon is our homeland, it belongs to us, and we will never abandon it...”
