Bayt Beirut (Arabic: بيت بيروت; literally "the house of Beirut") is a museum and urban cultural center dedicated to portraying the history of Beirut, with a particular focus on the Lebanese Civil War. Housed in the restored Barakat Building, also known as the "Yellow House," this historic landmark was designed by Youssef Aftimos.
Historical Context
editConstruction and Early Years (1924-1975)
editThe Barakat House, known today as Beit Beirut, was constructed in 1924. Nicholas Barakat and his wife Victoria, members of Beirut’s Greek Orthodox bourgeoisie, purchased the land, plot number 1237, and commissioned the construction of the building. The design for the ground and first floors was created by Youssef Aftimus, a notable Lebanese architect who served as the architect for Beirut's City Hall. The building is an example of modernist architecture, designed by Aftimos and later completed by his student, Fouad Kozah. It was intended for mixed use, with residential apartments and commercial spaces, embodying the urban growth and modernization of Beirut during the French Mandate period. [1][2][3][4]
In 1932, the Barakat Building was expanded with the addition of the second and third floors, designed Kozah. The building, often referred to as the “Yellow House” due to its distinctive yellow façade, features two main structures: one facing Independence Avenue and the other facing Damascus Street. These structures are linked by a colonnade that opens to the sky, offering expansive views of the cityscape from various rooms within the building. The architectural transparency and openness of the design are among its most distinctive features along with the colorful cement tils patterns and sun-washed with pink, yellow, green, and blue walls.[3]
The top floor of the Barakat Building was occupied by the Barakat family until the onset of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. The ground and first floors were rented out to various tenants, including residents, storekeepers, a hair designer named Ephrem Zgheib who reopened his shop in 1998 after a 20-year hiatus, a Palestinian family, and a dentist named Neijib Chemaly, who passed away in 1973.[3]
The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
editThe Lebanese Civil War, lasting from 1975 to 1990, was a multifaceted conflict involving numerous factions and militias, each supported by different sectarian, political, and foreign interests. The war officially began on April 13, 1975, with an incident involving the Phalangists, a Christian militia, and a bus carrying Palestinians. This marked the start of a brutal and protracted conflict that would devastate Lebanon.[3]
During the early years of the war, Beirut was divided into East and West, with the Barakat Building located along the infamous Green Line that separated the Christian-dominated East Beirut from the Muslim-dominated West Beirut. The building, originally a family residence and later a defensive position for Christian militias, became symbolic of the wartime divide. Overlooking the Sodeco crossroad, it became notorious as a sniper's nest, contributing to its nickname, the "Yellow House." The building was abandoned by its residents and quickly became a critical position for snipers and militias due to its strategic location. The Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, saw the rise of various militias, including Maronite Catholic and Shii groups like Hizbollah. The conflict intensified with Israel's 1982 invasion, leading to further devastation and the infamous Sabra and Shatila massacre. The Barakat Building's façade and interior bore the scars of war, with bullet holes and other damage becoming physical reminders of the conflict.[3][5][6]
The Taif Agreement in 1989 eventually brought an end to the fighting, but it did not address the deeper issues of reconciliation and justice. An amnesty law passed in 1991 provided immunity to many wartime leaders, allowing them to transition into political roles without being held accountable for their actions during the war. This legal framework institutionalized a form of collective amnesia, making it challenging for Lebanon to heal from its past.[3]
Post-War Neglect and Preservation Efforts (1990s-2000s)
editFollowing the end of the Civil War, the Barakat Building was abandoned and fell into disrepair. It bacame the target of vandalism and was scheduled for demolition in 1997 when the property owners decided to sell it.
The building was saved from demolition through the efforts of Lebanese heritage activists, notably architect Mona Hallak during one of her visits in 1994 with the "Association pour la Protection des Sites et Anciennes Demeures au Liban" (APSAD), an independent organisation for the protection of historic monuments and buildings. Activists raised public awareness through articles, petitions, and rallies, ultimately leading to the suspension of the demolition decision.
Restoration and Cultural Significance (2003-Present)
editIn 2003, the Municipality of Beirut issued a decree to expropriate the building for public interest, with plans to restore it as a museum and cultural center. The decree specified that the Barakat Building would be transformed into a memory museum and a cultural center, later known as "Beit Beirut", featuring exhibits tracing the 7000-year history of the city. Additionally, the decree included provisions for constructing a modern annex on the adjacent empty lot to house the municipality's urban planning department offices and an underground parking lot.
The French government provided technical assistance to the Beirut municipality; however the project faced delays due to political instability and conflicts, particularly during the 2006 and 2007 Lebanon conflicts. The Beit Beirut project was delayed until the return of relative political stability in 2008. The project saw the collaboration between the Municipality of Beirut, the City of Paris, and the French Embassy in Lebanon.
In 2009, Lebanese architect Youssef Haidar was commissioned by the Beirut municipality to lead the building's restoration works. Although Haidar had experience in rehabilitation, having previously worked on the restoration of traditional buildings in downtown Beirut and Tripoli, his selection was contested since he was chosen without an open competition. Haidar was assisted by a committee of architects formed by the Municipality of Paris, composed of members from various disciplines, to develop the rehabilitation project.
Beit Beirut officially opened as a museum and urban cultural center in 2016. Planning and restoration costs amounted to 18 million US dollars.
Exhibitions and Community Events
editBeit Beirut serves as a dynamic cultural hub, hosting a range of exhibitions and community events that reflect the city's rich history, artistic talent, and ongoing dialogue about memory and reconciliation. These events include art exhibitions, photography contests, and thematic projects that address significant historical and contemporary issues. The following table provides an overview of notable exhibitions and community events held at Beit Beirut:
| Year | Event/Exhibition | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr 2017 | "Empty Chairs, Family Waiting" | Organized by the NGO "Act for The Disappeared" and the International Committee of the Red Cross, focusing on the theme of the missing from the Lebanese civil war. | [7] |
| 18 Sep – 27 Oct 2017 | "Sacred Catastrophe: Healing Lebanon" | An art exhibition by Lebanese artist Zena El-Khalil, which explored themes of memory, reconciliation, and healing, offering an artistic approach to these complex subjects. | [8] |
| 15-21 May 2018 | "Nazra" Photography Contest | Supported by the German Embassy and organized by a UN Agency, focusing on visual representations related to the Lebanese civil war. | [9] |
| 15 Sep 2022 | Allo Beirut - Art Exhibition | The project aims to use art and journalism to cultivate a sense of belonging, to question the past, and to envision the future for Lebanon. | [10] |
| Jun 2023 | UNIFIL Photo Exhibition | A photo exhibition highlighting UNIFIL's work in Lebanon. | [11] |
| 10-30 Aug 2023 | "Chronicle of Three Wars" Art Exhibition by Ralph Hage | Featuring the works of Ralph Hage, the exhibition, curated by Maie El-Hage, offers an exploration of Lebanon’s modern and contemporary histories, marked by tragedies, catastrophes, and the persistent anticipation of war. | [12] |
| 01 Oct 2023 | "Beirut 1840-1918 Photographs & Maps" | An exhibition featuring photographs and maps from Beirut's history. | [13] |
- ^ BeitBeirut.org (2010). "Beit Beirut House". Beit Beirut. Archived from the original on 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ Nowlebanon (2007-07-03). "Barakat Building, Sodeco". NowLebanon. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Brones, S. (2012). The Beit Beirut Project: Heritage Practices and the Barakat Building. In Archives, Museums and Collecting Practices in the Modern Arab World (1st ed., pp. 139–155). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315567839-9.
- ^ Reder, Emeraude (2020). "Désinvestir la mémoire : le cas d'étude du musée Beit Beirut". Confluences Méditerranée (in French). 2020/1 (112): 193–206. doi:10.3917/come.112.0193.
- ^ "Beit Beirut: Museum and Urban Cultural Center" (PDF). Beit Beirut. Municipality of Beirut. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ Clancy-Smith, Julia; Smith, Charles D. (2014). "Struggles for Independence and New Forms of Political Community, c. 1950-1980". The Modern Middle East and North Africa: A History in Documents. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 227–228. ISBN 9780195338270.
- ^ "Empty Chairs, Family Waiting". Act for The Disappeared. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Sacred Catastrophe: Healing Lebanon". Zena El-Khalil. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Nazra Photography Contest". Lebtivity. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Allo Beirut - Art Exhibition". Lebtivity. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "UNIFIL Photo Exhibition". UNIFIL. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Chronicle of Three Wars Art Exhibition". NNA. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Beirut 1840-1918 Photographs & Maps". Selections Arts. Retrieved 4 June 2024.