Sursock Museum Reopens in Beirut: A Celebration of Diversity and Rehabilitation

The Sursock Museum was reopened in Beirut, after the completion of the rehabilitation work, in a ceremony held in the museum’s courtyard in Ashrafieh, in the presence of a number of ambassadors and political, diplomatic, religious, cultural and social figures.

After the Lebanese national anthem, and a welcoming speech by the media host, Subhia Najjar. Then, the Chairman of the Sursock Museum Committee, President of Saint George University, and former Minister Tarek Mitri, delivered a speech in which he said: “I welcome you to the Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum, the Museum of Diversity and Openness. Since its founding in 1961. In a long journey, it went through difficult days and the Lebanese and Lebanese wars left scars on its body, but it recovered, and it is effective today, God willing.

He added, “On the day following the explosion of the fourth of August, dozens of young volunteers came to us and provided immediate assistance. However, removing the traces of the explosion and restoring the museum exceeded our capabilities and the contributions of our closest friends. The destruction was great, so we shared with many Lebanese the great pain, and we realized that The primacy of the people before the buildings, and the neighborhood before the city. We also realized that we are like the people of Beirut, that we are called upon, no matter how frustrated we are in our affairs and the severity of our distress, not to despair, and we perish. We started work and we were not sure that the support we needed would be available. But it was available. It suffices me to mention thanking the donors, and they are numerous. I will not read their names because the list is long, and thanks to his family, I will suffice with mentioning the official bodies and institutions that have contributed to covering the costs of restoring the building and paintings in the various stages of work, which are (according to chronological order):

The International Coalition for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (A), the French Ministry of Culture, the Arab Fund for Culture and Arts, the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, the Goethe Institute, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, UNESCO, and a number of Lebanese institutions, which I will enumerate at the end of my speech in English.

And he asserted: “With all of your support, we will return the Sursock Museum to the Lebanese, especially the thousands of its permanent visitors. God has honored us with friends who are keen to restore our vitality despite the difficulties and the exorbitant costs. They carried and carry with us the concern of advancement so that their generous support is a source of energy and a source of hope.”

Delivering a speech, Krista Picatt, Director of UNESCO’s Authority for Culture and Emergencies, said: “Museums are at the heart of UNESCO’s endeavors to promote dialogue, peace and sustainable development through culture. They preserve and pass on our common heritage and history, they are a source of identity and recovery, they stimulate our creativity and shape An important space for dialogue that allows the public to reflect on the past, present and future.

And she continued: “UNESCO firmly believes in the power of museums and supports efforts aimed at developing and rehabilitating museums around the world, including efforts to enhance the role of museums in preservation, interpretation, education, and in bringing societies together. The Sursock Museum has a special place in the hearts of the people of Beirut. I joined this museum like others.” Many of Beirut’s iconic buildings sustained significant damage from the port explosion.However, in the aftermath of the explosion, countless people have dedicated their efforts to protecting this important landmark that has served as a second home and haven for artistic expression and creativity.We stand here today, celebrating the return of the Sursock Museum And revive it thanks to collective efforts.

She continued: “As this new chapter begins, we should acknowledge the role that culture plays in societies in times of crisis, and highlight what can be achieved through concerted efforts and joint action to protect and promote culture. The completion of this project fulfills the promise made by UNESCO to support Beirut in its time of need by coordinating efforts, identifying needs, collecting data and mobilizing funds.

The Ambassador of Italy also gave a speech in which she stated that “Our participation in the preservation of cultural heritage has always been a cornerstone of our partnership with Lebanon. Our commitment to the protection of Lebanon’s rich and diverse heritage is embodied in an interconnected series of projects. Universal access to culture is a right for all and it is the duty of governments to encourage it. The protection and promotion of cultural heritage may constitute an engine of sustainable development through which the identity of a nation can be established.

She added, “Italian money has been invested to complete the necessary works related to lighting systems for showrooms, replacement of internal partitions, restoration of fire doors, glass walls, ancillary equipment, paint, waterproofing, facade and landscape lighting, in addition to the installation of electromechanical systems and solar panels to ensure energy consumption.” Green and sustainable energy.

In her speech, the Ambassador of France to Lebanon, Anne Griot, said: “On March 26, 2021, we were together on the first floor, in the Arab hall. The windows of the destroyed facade were covered with blue plastic. Scrap metal and debris piled up in heaps in the courtyard and in the corridors. Disinfected yet. Electricity barely worked. We were wearing masks, it was still Covid time. Doors opened and one in the ceiling cracked under the impact of the blast of the explosion that hit Beirut seven months ago on August 4, 2020. The museum team, exhausted but brave, was still counting Damaged works.In the archives room, where it was urgently housed, the famous painting of Nicolas Sursock by Kees van Dongen was waiting to leave for France to be restored in the Center Pompidou… On top of these ruins, I then declared that France would be at your side, and that it would take part in the renovation Museum, and gives back to the Lebanese and everyone who travels to Lebanon the opportunity to return to this iconic place in Beirut.”

She added: “Today, on the 26th of May 2023, two years and two months later, we are together again, all of us together and so much more, to reopen the Sursock Museum. Obviously for me that is a great pleasure. A great emotion. And a great pride for France that She kept her promise. As she was in all areas in which she was involved in supporting Lebanon and the Lebanese, after this terrible tragedy. A drama that I would say no restoration can erase its traces. Only justice can provide some comfort to the families of those who are no longer and to the victims. It will not be There is recovery and reconstruction for Lebanon in the shadow of impunity and without justice.

Then, the General Director of Heritage and Architecture in France, Jean-Francois Hubert, delivered a speech in which he said: “It is my pleasure and pride to be in Beirut and celebrate with you these wonderful moments, and I convey to you the greetings of the French Minister of Culture and his sincerity towards Lebanon and its people, and he wished to share with us this prestigious occasion.” And wonderful, which reflects the depth of Lebanon’s culture and its luminous history, and the opening of this museum is a bright and good moment for culture and success.”

Then, Mrs. Briza Khayari, Vice-President of the French “ALIP” Association, spoke and praised the importance of the occasion and its positive results on various levels, “particularly cultural and tourism.”

The director of the museum, Mrs. Karina El-Helou, delivered a speech in which she welcomed the attendees and thanked all parties and personalities that contributed to the restoration of this cultural and tourist facility…

This was followed by artistic connections presented by the Saint Joseph University Choir. Then the audience toured around the museum.