This upcoming Wednesday, April 13, is the thirty-year anniversary of the outbreak of the civil war. That war casts a long shadow over Beirut even now - especially after four car bombs exploded in Christian neighborhoods in the past couple of weeks.

The streets have been quiet, restaurants have been empty, sidewalk cafes have been mostly abandoned. People aren't afraid of the bombs, per se. So far the attacks seem more like warnings than anything else. What people here are afraid of is a violent social convulsion if the bombings continue. Everyone here over the age of 20 has vivid memories of horrific atrocities in their own neighborhoods.

Bahia Hariri, sister of the assasinated Rafik Hariri, teamed up with Nora Jumblatt, wife of famed Druse leader Walid Jumblatt, to kick off the National Unity Initiative festival in downtown Beirut. It was inspired by the March 14 rally in Martyr's Square where demonstrators, for the first time in years, flew the Lebanese flag instead of their own sectarian flags. The country seems ready to heal its divisions. And with Syrian agents trying to restart the war, the country must heal its divisions.

An enormous outdoor concert stage is now being constructed next to the dissidents' tent-city.

Also next to the tent-city is the finish line for a five kilometer mini-marathon through the heart of downtown Beirut.

Across the square from the tent-city, next to Saifi Market, are a series of tennis courts. A "Tennis for Peace" event for the city's children was held on Saturday. No one actually played any tennis. Rather, the courts were used as a playground for Christian and Muslim children to play and romp around together under the supervision of parents and older siblings.

The kids had a great time having their faces painted, eating ice cream, running around, shrieking, and throwing balls at their parents and each other.

The parents enjoyed themselves, too. Beirutis have been secluding themselves in their houses for weeks. Those who came to this event were happy to be outside and, more important, they were happy to be outside together instead of barricaded in their own ethnic enclaves.

A Hezbollah spokesman said over the weekend that even his group intends to be somehow involved in the ongoing festival. I have no idea what Hezbollah plans to do there or how they can possibly avoid being a controversial lightning rod, but perhaps we shall see.

The only Lebanese group not invited is the Syrian puppet regime. In any case, the leadership is hiding from the wrath of their people in Rome. Tent-city residents say the government decided it loves the Pope all of a sudden and just had to leave the country for a while to show their respects. That's okay. The Lebanese people clearly can organize and govern themselves on their own.