Shopping Street Rises from the Ashes of War in Libya's Benghazi

 

The old center of Benghazi suffered severe damage during Libya’s civil war. Most people living there were more concerned with getting fuel and moving to safer areas than they were with buying brand-name clothing.

But new stores and eateries are opening along one street in the city center: Venice Street. And they have many people excited about shopping.

Imported goods to the country were limited between 2014 and 2017. Fighting between the Libyan National Army and its mostly Islamist opponents forced Benghazi’s port to close.

Elsewhere around the city, some buildings still have bullet holes dating back to World War II. During that time, Benghazi changed control between British and German troops.

Former leader Muammar Gaddafi ignored eastern Libya during his 42 years in power as punishment for political opposition¹ there. Venice Street was mostly undeveloped until Gaddafi’s overthrow² in 2011.

Today, newly opened clothing stores along Venice Street carry famous international brands.

People in Benghazi do have money in their banks. But a shortage³ of bank notes means they do not necessarily have physical money. However, some shops along Venice Street accept checks as payment for an additional cost.

Ahmed al-Orfy runs one of the new fashion stores there. He told the Reuters news service he has high hopes for Venice Street. He said, “We have security and the ambition to be on the same level as the Champs-Elysees [in Paris.]”

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Words in This Story

brand – n. a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name

fashion – n. a popular way of dressing⁴ during a particular time or among a particular group of people; the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles

ambition – n. a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous

shopping - n. the activity of visiting places where goods are sold in order to look at and buy things such as food, clothing, etc.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

3 shortage   

n.缺少，缺乏，不足

参考例句：

• The city is suffering a desperate shortage of water.这个城市严重缺水。
• The heart of the problem is a shortage of funds.问题的关键是缺乏经费。

4 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。