Five years after the port explosions, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay visited Beirut to review the Organization’s major achievements and announce new cultural restoration programmes. Among the projects unveiled are the reconstruction of the Mar Mikhael train station and the Grand Theatre, along with initiatives to support cultural industries in Tyre and Baalbek.
“It is an important moment for me to return to Beirut five years after the port explosions. I hope these new initiatives will bring hope, connect us to the past while preparing for the future. I would like to thank the Lebanese authorities and our partners for renewing their trust and support for our work,” said Azoulay.
Major Works to Serve Lebanese Culture
During her visit, Azoulay laid the foundation stone for the renovation of the Mar Mikhael train station. Once a hub connecting three continents, the 10,000 m² site is now in ruins but will be transformed by UNESCO and UN-Habitat into a cultural and social space for Beirut’s residents. With $3.5 million in funding from Italy, the new venue is expected to open in 2027.
Another cultural landmark, the Grand Theatre—closed since 1990 and further damaged in 2020—will undergo an ambitious restoration. The UAE has provided $1 million for the first phase to stabilize the building and design a cultural project in collaboration with the municipality, the Ministry of Culture, and civil society. Azoulay also appealed to additional donors to support the initiative.
In Tyre and Baalbek, two Phoenician cities inscribed as World Heritage sites, UNESCO will fund eight artistic and craft projects to strengthen local cultural and creative industries.
LiBeirut: A Historic Rehabilitation Programme
Launched by Azoulay in the aftermath of the port explosions, the LiBeirut initiative has mobilized more than $45 million for reconstruction. The programme oversaw the rehabilitation of 280 schools, allowing thousands of children to return to classrooms. It also supplied equipment to 126 public schools and trained over 1,000 teachers in hybrid learning.
“In the aftermath of the port explosions, thanks to international mobilization and the commitment of the Lebanese people, UNESCO was able to launch a major operation to support schools, cultural institutions, and artists. Five years later, I am proud to see the concrete results of this great collective project,” said Azoulay.
In the cultural sector, UNESCO supported over 1,000 professionals, artists, festivals, and institutions. The Sursock Museum, a symbol of Beirut’s cultural identity, reopened in May 2023 through UNESCO’s efforts. The Sursock Palace also continues to receive support for stabilizing its historic ceilings and for training young heritage specialists.
Source: www.unesco.org
