After fashion designer George Azzi’s business premises got destroyed by the deadly 2020 blast at Beirut’s port, he considered joining Lebanon’s estimated 15-million strong diaspora like many of his countrymen. In the last few decades, the country has faced several other crises that include a devastating civil war, constitutional collapse, political assassinations and a significant financial meltdown that have driven many to emigrate. Yet, others like George have persisted and thrived despite a stacked deck and political system that resists reform. In this episode, we discover what drives him to stay. We also speak to Mona Harb, co-founder of the Beirut Urban Lab, who reminds us that in places used to tragedy and cycles of crisis, hope endures
