Artist draws the largest Lebanese flag with chalk

A young Lebanese painter is trying to enter the Guinness Book of Records by drawing the Lebanese flag with chalk in the center of the capital, Beirut, on an area of ​​200 square meters, in a move that aims to send a message of "hope" to his country, which is mired in an unprecedented economic and social crisis.

The 24-year-old painter, Giovanni Bassil, told AFP from Martyrs' Square in central Beirut that the idea for this initiative came to him by chance after he was informed on the Internet of the previous record achieved by a Uruguayan who drew his country's flag with chalk on an area of ​​168 square meters.

In this task, which he accomplished today after long working hours since yesterday morning, Basil used more than two thousand chalk of the three colors that make up the Lebanese flag, red, white and green, after a topographical survey of the site in accordance with the conditions set by the Guinness Book of Records, which also notes that photographs were taken. To work with drones to ensure that it is accomplished according to the required specifications.

He pointed out that those in charge of the Guinness Book did not send representatives to Beirut to accompany the initiative on the ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they set twelve conditions that must be adhered to in preparation for the approval of the new record.

Bassil added, "I wanted the record to come out of this historical square in central Beirut," and "I am proud of what I do despite everything the country is going through," explaining, "I am trying to be a face of hope for all the Lebanese," in light of the stifling economic crisis that hits various aspects. living in the country.

The Lebanese painter dedicated this work to the victims of the Beirut harbor explosion, less than two weeks before the first anniversary of the tragedy that left more than two hundred dead and thousands injured and destroyed large parts of the Lebanese capital and caused a political earthquake in the country whose frequencies are still continuing.

In recent years, Lebanon witnessed many attempts to enter the Guinness Book of Records by achieving various records, including the largest meat shish, the widest Dabke dance ring, and the largest hummus or tabbouleh dish.