Stepping into her home is more than a visit; it is a journey into another world.
Her home feels like a living gallery, filled with paintings and beauty. There, we met Dr. Rita Tanios Keyrouz, a lecturer and visual artist from Deir El Ahmar in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, for an inspiring conversation shaped by the depth of her experience, culture, and reflections on the meaning of life.
Dr. Rita speaks about a passion for art that began before she even learned to write, as well as her journey in education and her experiences connecting with people from different communities and regions. She believes that true art knows neither racism nor sectarianism; instead, it builds bridges for dialogue and peace and brings people closer to their shared humanity.
In a world where division creates barriers, Dr. Rita believes art has the power to break them down. If artists truly had the power to decide, she says, perhaps there would be no wars.
And because art reflects Lebanon, Dr. Rita evokes the image of the phoenix—the mythical bird that dies and rises again from the ruins. Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes, art rises above everything that tries to erase beauty and memory, ultimately giving us a sense of permanence.