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Did You Know There’s Now a Street in Batroun Named After Georges Khabbaz?
Georges Khabbaz has a new reason to feel at home in Batroun. The Lebanese actor, writer, playwright, and director has officially had a street named after him in his hometown in recognition of his contributions to Lebanese theater, cinema, and television.
The announcement was made by Batroun Mayor Marcelino El Hark during the opening of the 20th edition of the Beirut International Short Film Festival at Casino du Liban on November 1, 2026. The tribute came as Khabbaz celebrated his 50th birthday, making the gesture an especially meaningful birthday present.
Why That Street?
Khabbaz shared his reaction in an emotional Instagram post, explaining that he never imagined receiving such a meaningful birthday gift. He described Batroun as a place where every street already holds a special place in his heart, recalling the people, childhood memories, friendships, and experiences that shaped him there.
It’s the very street where Khabbaz grew up, spent much of his childhood, and filmed his 2013 movie Ghadi. That street was part of his everyday childhood, taking him to school and eventually to his very first theater performance at Mar Estephan Square.
Georges Khabbaz’s Lasting Mark on Lebanese Arts
Over the years, Georges Khabbaz has become one of Lebanon’s most recognizable creative talents, moving between theater, film, television, writing, music, and directing. His work has consistently brought together comedy and more serious human themes, giving audiences characters and stories that feel distinctly Lebanese while touching on experiences that extend beyond the country.
His theatrical career began in 1994 when he was only 17 years old, and he has since written, directed, produced, and starred in more than 18 plays. On television, he has appeared in numerous productions, including Abdo & Abdo and Brando Al Sharek, while also taking on writing and directing roles.
His film work has been just as significant. He starred in films such as Under the Bombs (2007) and Silina (2009), and wrote and starred in Ghadi (2013), directed by Amin Dora. The film, which was shot partly in Batroun, explores themes of acceptance and inclusion through the story of a father trying to protect his son from a judgmental community. He also contributed to Waynon (2014) as a writer and creative supervisor.
More recently, he appeared in Yunan, directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin, continuing his work in cinema beyond Lebanese productions.
Beyond acting and writing, Khabbaz has also explored music as a lyricist and composer. In 2023, he released his first album, Jayi El Ayyam, in collaboration with singer Lena Farah. He has also spent years teaching theater and working with young performers.
We Need to Celebrate Our Artists
A street named after him is certainly a memorable way to mark his 50th birthday, especially when it’s one that holds so much of his own story. And now, the street where he grew up will carry his name for generations to come.
It’s also a lovely reminder of how important it is to recognize the people who have shaped Lebanon’s creative industry, from actors and singers to writers, musicians, directors, and artists whose work has left a lasting mark on our cultural identity. They deserve to be celebrated, especially in an industry that contributes so much to Lebanon’s cultural identity yet remains chronically underfunded and underappreciated.
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