The explosion that devastated Beirut’s port on August 4, 2020—destroying some of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods including Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhaël—was yet another crushing blow to a city that has struggled for years in the face of countless obstacles. It is estimated that more than 8,000 buildings have been impacted by the blasts including 640 historic buildings—among them, 60 of which are in danger of collapse.
Photograph by George Azar, Courtesy of WMF
Join World Monuments Fund (WMF) for a virtual discussion on Beirut’s unique history and heritage and future models for protection and revitalization. This event, Saving the Soul of Beirut: The Path to Recovery, will feature Dr. George Arbid, architect and a founding member and director of the Arab Center for Architecture in Beirut; Mona El Hallak, architect, heritage preservation activist and the director of the Neighborhood Initiative at the American University of Beirut (AUB); Nadine Labaki, award-winning director, actress, and activist. Moderated by Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO, World Monuments Fund. This event is the first in WMF’s Heritage Now series – a look at world heritage through the lens of current political, social, and environmental issues.
This free virtual event will take place on Thursday, October 15th at 12:00PM EST.
