More people in Beirut are visiting a memory exhibition
The 'Tell Me, South' exhibition at Beit Beirut has drawn more than 7,200 people in just six weeks, surprising organizers who doubted the timing of its launch. The exhibition, set in the Sodeco district of Beirut, has become a gathering place for those seeking to understand life in the South beyond the typical depictions of conflict and destruction.
By showcasing personal items like photographs, letters, and oral histories, the exhibition offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of people in the South. The display aims to move away from the usual media portrayal of the region as one of chaos and devastation, instead highlighting the richness of its culture and personal memories.
A quick start under uncertain skies
The exhibition was not the result of months of planning, but a sudden decision made just three weeks before its May opening. The timing was questioned, but the response has been clear. The project began in the middle of a recent conflict, when the South was still reeling from the effects of war and its people were still processing their experiences.
The team behind the exhibition faced a critical question at the start: Was it appropriate to hold an event focused on memory and identity in a region still healing from conflict? Despite initial fears, the exhibition gained traction quickly. The overwhelming turnout and positive feedback have helped reassure organizers that their decision was the right one.
From visitors to the exhibition, a shared experience
More than 130 messages, 90 drawings and hundreds of stories have been left by visitors, becoming part of the exhibition itself. No one raised concerns, which surprised the organizers. This level of engagement demonstrates the strong desire among people to connect with the South and its stories.
Delphine Abi Rached, the executive director of the 'Tell Me' initiative, said that people from the South felt seen and heard, something she feared might not happen. She said that the goal was to show the South as part of a shared Lebanese identity, not as a separate or broken region. Family photos from villages in the South are displayed side by side with similar images from any part of Lebanon, to show common ground.
For Abi Rached, the exhibition represents more than just a collection of personal items. It is an opportunity to create a shared space for people to explore their history and memories in a time of deep uncertainty.
Abi Rached said the timing of the exhibition was difficult to justify at first. Yet, she believes that sometimes the only response in moments like these is to create a space where people can come together.
The exhibition, which will close for a month in August, was meant to create a space for people to be together in a moment of uncertainty and shared loss. The event has already sparked a sense of connection and reflection among visitors, with many leaving their own stories to add to the collection.
By the time the exhibition reopens, the team hopes to have a clearer understanding of its impact. The organizers aim to continue building on the positive momentum and encourage more people from across Lebanon to engage with the history and experiences of the South.
The exhibition not only preserves personal memories but also reinforces the idea that the South is part of Lebanon as a whole. Through photographs and personal narratives, it bridges the gap between the region and the rest of the country, offering a fresh perspective on shared history and identity.
The success of the exhibition underscores the value of preserving personal and collective memories. By creating a tangible record of life in the South, the exhibition ensures that these stories are not lost to time or overshadowed by the events of war.
Abi Rached emphasized that the exhibition serves as a reminder that people from the South, like all Lebanese, have stories worth telling and sharing. These stories, when brought into public view, can help foster understanding and empathy.
The 'Tell Me, South' exhibition has proven that even in the wake of conflict, there is still a yearning to connect and remember. It shows how cultural initiatives can play a vital role in healing and preserving the identity of a region.
For now, the exhibition has exceeded expectations, drawing more visitors than anticipated and generating meaningful dialogue. It remains a powerful example of how art and memory can come together to make a difference in difficult times.