Beirut: H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has extended financial support for the rehabilitation of the historic Beirut Grand Theatre. This effort is part of an international campaign initiated by UNESCO to restore the cultural landmark situated in the Lebanese capital.
According to Emirates News Agency, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, represented His Highness at the official announcement ceremony in Beirut. The event was attended by Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Mayor of Beirut Ibrahim Zeidan, and several officials, intellectuals, and engineers.
Al Owais highlighted the importance of international collaboration in cultural preservation, stating the occasion underscored joint efforts to safeguard Arab and global cultural heritage and support cultural development worldwide. He noted that the Ruler of Sharjah has consistently launched cultural initiatives and fostered cooperation with countries and global organizations, citing the enduring partnership between Sharjah and UNESCO as part of the UAE's broader vision to enrich the global cultural landscape.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised the Ruler of Sharjah for his generous support and belief in the power of culture to foster connections between peoples. She described the initiative as a critical contribution to UNESCO's global mission and emphasized Sharjah's influential role in the Arab and international cultural arenas. Azoulay noted that restoring the Beirut Grand Theatre would help revive its role as a regional hub for artistic and cultural exchange.
Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh expressed gratitude to the Ruler of Sharjah for being the principal donor to the theater's rehabilitation. He acknowledged the ongoing support of Arab cultural initiatives, emphasizing that the gesture reflects a deep-seated commitment to protecting cultural heritage and promoting Arab artistic expression. Salameh asserted that the theater's revival would enhance regional cultural dialogue and restore its historic role as a beacon of creativity.
After the ceremony, Al Owais and attendees toured the theatre to assess its current condition. Engineers provided a comprehensive overview of the structural challenges and restoration plans. Salameh elaborated on the building's historical significance and reviewed the numerous cultural and artistic events it hosted in its prime, highlighting its value as a symbol of Arab cultural heritage.
Originally designed by Youssef Aftimos and constructed by Jacques Tabet in the 1920s, the Beirut Grand Theatre officially opened in 1929. The venue was renowned for hosting significant international theatrical and operatic performances until the mid-1970s. The 630-seat theater features an orchestra, two balconies, a stage with specialized mechanisms, a small steel dome on rails, and a decorative stained-glass ceiling in the lobby. Despite being abandoned for decades, it remains one of Beirut's most iconic cultural landmarks.