Beirut: Minister of Culture, Dr. Ghassan Salam©, has announced that this year’s “Night of Museums” will pay a special tribute to the renowned creator Ziad Rahbani. The facade of the National Museum is adorned with artistic lighting that features Rahbani’s name and image. A video of him singing his famous song “Aisha Wahda Blak” is also being showcased. A film highlighting Lebanon’s archaeological and historical sites is screened at the National Museum headquarters, attended by the Director General of Antiquities, Engineer Sarkis Khoury.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, museums have opened their doors to visitors across Beirut, Sidon, Byblos, and Tripoli. Minister Salam© expressed awe at the overwhelming turnout, stating, “I can’t believe it.” He observed thousands, potentially tens of thousands, of Lebanese visiting various museums, particularly the National Museum, to explore the antiquities and heritage central to Lebanese identity.
Minister Salam© noted that “Museum Night” was initially launched more than 20 years ago but was halted for six years due to war, COVID-19, and financial difficulties. He highlighted that all Lebanese museums are open free of charge for this event, with free transportation provided via public buses. He expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation of the Lebanese people, which he believes reflects their sincere commitment to their heritage and culture.
Salam© extended his thanks to all those involved in organizing the event, including the Directorate General of Antiquities and his colleague Nadim Choueiri, who worked for six months to ensure its success. He expressed appreciation to journalists covering the event and thanked the thousands of Lebanese attendees. He hoped the evening would be long enough for visitors to explore multiple museums across Lebanon, from Tripoli to Saida.
In tribute to the late Ziad Rahbani, Salam© highlighted the artistic light show illuminating Lebanon’s archaeological sites. He emphasized Lebanon’s resilience and determination to thrive despite threats of war, stating that preserving heritage, culture, and museums is the best response to such challenges. The event attracted over 20,000 museum visitors.