Gustave Doré, 1847

Fall 2019 is a date our generation will never forget. Around 11 PM on October 9, young men took over Beirut downtown in violent protest against a new tax imposed by our government. This moment marked Lebanon’s irreversible plunge into the abyss of financial collapse, as we navigated from one catastrophe to another, including a massive port explosion that left us devastated and apathetic 

This dire situation strongly reminded me of Jorge Luis Borges’ poignant illustration “Die Hydra der Diktator,” drawn in 1946. The illustration depicts a hydra showcasing the heads of vicious dictators of his time.

“The Dictator’s Hydra” appears in the manuscript of Borges’ essay “Our Poor Individualism” (1946), which is also of great interest. The essay, part of the Jorge Luis Borges Collection at the Alderman Library of the University of Virginia, offers an Argentine perspective on the political landscape at the end of WWII. From left to right, the hydra features Miguel Primo de Rivera, Karl Marx, Juan Perón, Juan Manuel de Rosas, Eva Perón, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini. These military, political, and ideological tyrants form a menacing monster that overwhelms the Argentine individualism outlined in the essay.

Jorge Luis Borges, “Die Hydra der Diktator” (1946)

ZENOBIE, Hydra Black T-shirt

Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra – Gustave Moreau, 1826-1898

ZENOBIE, Hydra White T-shirt

The hydra, a famous monster from Greek mythology, was one of Hercules’ twelve labors. Each time one of its heads was cut off, it grew two more. Hercules finally vanquished it by striking its heart, a metaphor for addressing problems at their core.

ZENOBIE, Hydra Black T-shirt

The analogy between Borges’ political monster and the hero who defeats it resonates deeply with our situation. We felt entangled by a political elite that drove us to collapse, yet hopeful that by standing up against injustice, we could be the heroes of our time.In 2024, we see the world being shaken by young people protesting around the world, against issues and horrors generated by their ruling classes.

This image of the hero slaying the hydra symbolizes our generation’s quest for change and the establishment of a new world order where peace, justice, and kindness prevail.

Another prominent theme resonated in the streets of Beirut, calling the popular movement a woman’s revolution. It claimed that we are finally seeing Lebanese women speak up and be present after being absent for the longest time.

Photo by Myriam Boulos, Beirut 2019

I personally found this statement incoherent, as Lebanese women are among the most resilient and hardworking individuals. They have always played vital roles in their communities and have been at the heart of many thriving businesses both in Lebanon and internationally. Lebanese women have consistently been at the forefront of numerous movements, fighting for their rights and presence in a strong patriarchal society, proving their impact across various areas of social life.

Women have continually challenged the core of the system, driving improvements in the economy and the social world.

This is where the BANG T-shirt came to life. The design depicts a young woman putting a bullet through these outdated beliefs, making noise, and standing up for herself. In honor of all the women who have built a strong feminist movement and provided today’s young girls with a compass of possibilities and choices, through laws and amendments introduced in their favor, our women have carried on their backs grief, love, womanhood, acceptance, openness, and courage. They lead from the shadows, working to ease pain and suffering, and shedding light on the future.

ZENOBIE, Bang, 2019

We envision our Bang and Hydra emblems worn by young heroes, men and women, creating legions of committed individuals pushing against the tides, with the hope that tomorrow might bring flowers.

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ZENOBIE, Bang Black and White T-shirts

ZENOBIE, Bang Black T-shirt

This dépêche is written by Zeina from Zenobie