War spots and Millennial Treasures: The Legacy of the National Museum of Beerut
During the civil war, the fighting stage, the museum was able to protect from its collection and presented the pieces of Lebanon’s old and contemporary history today.
Fifty years after the onset of the civil war in Lebanon, the National Museum in Beerut remains a symbol of the country’s elasticity, not only the millennial artifacts, but also preserved the spots of its recent past.
A. The Civil War of Lebanon began, on April 13, 1975Oh The National Museum of Lebanon It is in the middle of the fight, with terrorists between the sarcophagis and the firing by historical mosaics.
Today, students and tourists will travel on their corridors and observe artifacts, some will be blackened with bonfire during war and visiting the new wing, completely started Attack between Israel and Hizbullah in 2023.
For most people Lebanese, this building is not just a heritage guardian. It is a symbol of elasticity and cultural resistance.
“I hope these young people who see what happened in the museum in 1975, because it is honorable what happened here,” Lebanon Minister Ghasan Salameh said in an interview with Lebanese students during his visit to the museum.
“There is a right to forget. Lebanese, who wants to forget the civil war. There is also a duty to remember, so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.”
A museum in the middle of the fight
The controversy began when Christian militants opened fire on a bus carrying the Palestinian warriors in 1942 from the museum. Quickly, a front row near the building opened and divided the east and west of Beerut.
Despite the confusion, the director of ancient goods was able to save a large part of the collection of ancient goods. Small masterpieces were transferred and surrounded by armed concrete as a measure of protection from bomb attacks.
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Still, at least four main pieces are damaged. One of them The fifth -century mosaic with a hole in soccer ball size – gunmen used to fire on opponents. It is on display as evidence of war today.
From the past to today: A New War, A New Wing
The civil war lasted for 15 years. More than 100,000 people died and hundreds of thousands were displaced. In 1982, Israel attacked Beerut. Born this year Hezbullah promised to boycott the Israelites from the Lebanese territory.
Decades later, In 2023, the fight between Israel and Hizbullah rebounded. For almost a year, the armed team was very weak by the end of 2024 until Israel intensified its attack on the Southern Lebanon air and earthly attacks.
When the controversy unravels, the National Museum worked in the construction of a new wing for temporary demonstrations. During the tasks, archaeologists found Dozens of buried in the back yard of the Maurice Cheb Museum, In an attempt to protect them.
Circle Kauri, director of the current ancient goods, told Reuters next to the wall identified with the ruptures of the civil war. As a visible memory of the country’s elasticity, the decision to leave it.
“The brands we appeared should be the lessons for the future. Lebanon must be a country with peace and coexistence. This is our history. Your face is full of injuries and wrinkles, but this is the beautiful face of Lebanon, ” Affirmou Kauri.
A country with no official memory
The management of these brands in the museum is an exemption in the country where the civil war is often eliminated. Many milestones of conflict have been left or demolished to give way to skyscrapers.
The general loan waiver has been decided for all political crimes that occurred during the post -war administration conflict. Today, the school manuals are not mentioned about the civil war.
When asked about the creation of a museum specially dedicated to this war, Minister Salameh refused the idea: “The civil war has only produced destruction”
Still, it can cause hope.
“This country has been declared hundreds of times, perhaps hundreds of times … but this part of the Mediterranean is still with all its specifics and problems.”
