Christmas in Lebanon not so merry as economic crisis bites

Anti-government protesters gather around their Christmas tree, which incorporates protest iconography and slogans and personal messages, in downtown Beirut on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP)
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  • Lebanon is suffering its worst economic crisis, rooted in decades of state corruption and waste
  • The economic woes have sparked huge protests against the ruling elite

BEIRUT: Rafi Tabakian鈥檚 clothing store in a Beirut suburb is usually buzzing with customers during the holiday season, but with Lebanon鈥檚 economy in ruins, shoppers are in short supply.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been in business for 30 years, and I鈥檝e never seen anything like this,鈥� he said, adding that sales have dropped 80 percent in December even though he has cut his prices.
鈥淣ow we see customers entering, asking for the price, and then leaving. It鈥檚 scary,鈥� Tabakian, who produces and sells clothes in the densely populated, commercial Burj Hammoud neighborhood of the capital, said.
Lebanon is suffering its worst economic crisis, rooted in decades of state corruption and waste, since the 1975-1990 civil war, leaving streets dimmer and shopping centers emptier, with many stores and restaurants void of customers.
The economic woes have sparked huge protests against the ruling elite, banks are imposing capital controls, pressure has piled on the pegged Lebanese pound, and a hard currency crunch has pushed importers to hike prices.
Hotel bookings, flights and events have plunged during what is usually a busy commercial season for Lebanon, which has the Arab world鈥檚 biggest proportion of Christians.
Many from Lebanon鈥檚 large diaspora normally return home to streets packed with cars and decked out with lights.
But Pierre Ashkar, the head of Lebanon鈥檚 hotel association, said December bookings have plummeted from a usual 65-75 percent occupancy to 7-15 percent this year.
鈥淗otels have closed some parts of their buildings, are giving employees unpaid leave and removing services such as free shuttle transportation to the airport to minimize losses.鈥�
Some local councils have opted to either re-use old decorations or do without.
鈥淲e put up last year鈥檚 decorations, without adding anything because these are exceptional circumstances,鈥� said Raymond Atieh, head of the Jdeideh municipality, north of Beirut.
鈥淭he holidays are coming, but they鈥檙e coming with a pinch. People are angry ... People are getting fired, paid half-salaries, or not working,鈥� Atieh added.
Charbel Daccache, a priest in Mount Lebanon鈥檚 largely Christian town of Adma, said it was better to help feed the poor in tough times 鈥渢han to decorate and throw glitter.鈥�
鈥淪ome days are harsh; others are better but it鈥檚 not the end. That鈥檚 why I tell people, let it be a joyous time.鈥�