Revitalizing Lebanese Identity Through History and Heritage | Charles Al-Hayek

In this episode of the afikra podcast, we spoke with Charles Al-Hayek about his innovative approach to highlighting Arab cultural heritage and history through his social media platform Heritage and Roots. His work aims to engage audiences with the rich tapestry of Arab history in a manner that is both fun and educational.

0:00 Introduction
0:52 Lebanese History Curricula
6:09 What Defines Heritage?
8:14 The Mission of "Heritage and Roots"
9:06 Political and Cultural Constructs in Lebanon
11:20 The Challenges of Teaching Lebanese History
16:02 Michel Chiha's Influence on Modern Lebanon
18:52 Nostalgia vs Historical Accuracy
22:30 Recommended Reads on Lebanese History
24:33 The Impact of Social Media on Heritage Awareness
28:46 Quick Q&A
32:48 Audience Insights on Nostalgia and Historical Narratives
34:17 Recommendations for Contemporary Middle Eastern History
34:35 Addressing Divisive Histories in Education
36:13 Origins of Lebanon as a Modern State
38:44 Navigating Lebanon's Controversial History in Education
42:08 The Need for a Comprehensive Lebanese History Curriculum
43:59 Middle Eastern Novels With Historical Contexts
44:40 Handling Parental Concerns in History Education
45:22 Discussing the Lebanese Civil War With Students
47:38 Byzantine Music & Cultural Heritage
48:27 Exploring the Concept of Nationhood
50:05 Historical Figures & Events Deserving Film Adaptations
51:24 The Evolving Role of Educators in Heritage Preservation

Charles Al-Hayek is a Lebanese historian, heritage expert, and educator with a profound passion for bringing the past to life. Holding bachelor's and master's degrees in history and archaeology from the Lebanese University, he specializes in Byzantine history, Ottoman Lebanon, and Lebanese heritage. Through his social media initiative, Heritage and Roots, Charles seeks to make history accessible and relatable, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the cultural legacies that shape today's Arab world.

Connect with Charles 👉 Instagram: heritage_and_roots

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 Instagram: mikey_mu

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afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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