BEIRUT — The choreographer leading a
Lebanese dance troupe that shot to fame by winning the “America’s Got Talent”
TV contest castigated Lebanese politicians and called for revolution upon
landing back in
Beirut Friday.
اضافة اعلان
Dozens of relatives offered the Mayyas troupe
flowers at Beirut airport while thousands of Lebanese were glued to their
televisions to catch a glimpse of the performers who filled them with pride and
joy in a country wrecked by nearly three years of economic crisis.
“We don’t need you (politicians), Mayyas made
Lebanon proud without your help” choreographer Nadim Cherfan told AFP at
Beirut’s airport, echoing the frustration of many Lebanese who blame the
political class for the country’s woes.
His comment came as a snub to top
Lebanese politicians who had praised the group — including the country’s president and
prime minister.
Amid Lebanon’s worst-ever economic crisis, the
national currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value on the black
market since 2019, while poverty and unemployment have soared.
In a reflection of deep popular discontent, five
banks were stormed Friday by depositors seeking to unlock savings frozen in the
banking system after the economy crumbled.
“People should break all the banks, shake up the
country, and turn the table over politicians’ heads,” Cherfan said.
Mayyas this week snatched a $1 million prize and the
chance to headline a Las Vegas show for their extravagant television
performance featuring belly dancing, feather fans, and white orbs of light.
Judges and viewers hailed the troupe for their
hypnotic and mesmerizing performances — despite enduring hardships at home that
include long daily power cuts.
Lebanese authorities can barely provide citizens and
residents with bare necessities.
Lebanon suffers from electricity cuts that last up
to 22 hours as the cash-strapped state can no longer afford fuel.
“Your job is to feed the hungry people and bring
electricity,” Cherfan said, addressing the politicians.
“As artists we are
doing an artistic revolution,” he added, in an apparent reference to a 2019
anti-government protest movement that many Lebanese dubbed a revolution.
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