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Daily blackouts put Lebanon’s ancient artefacts at risk | Arts and Culture News


Beirut, Lebanon – Serious power shortage Lebanon offensive not only attacks families and private institutions, but also affects major cultural centers and puts priceless artifacts at risk.

The Beirut National Museum experienced even worse-than-usual blackouts for more than two weeks in August, receiving only an hour or two a day of state-supplied electricity, with no money for engine fuel. electricity generation.

Footage shot by tourist Mariella Rubio showing visitors viewing the museum’s archaeological wonders with a phone flashlight has caused waves on social media.

“The experience was paradoxical, because of course seeing the museum completely black is sad – it’s the perfect metaphor for the whole country – but at the same time, I have to admit that the feeling of being in a museum is very sad. Under the circumstances is Rubio telling Al Jazeera somehow miraculously.

“They didn’t charge us or any visitors for the lack of light,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity not only to enjoy the museum in a different way, but also to have a holistic view of the real situation of the country, the economy and the energy system.”

The Culture Ministry said it has addressed the current situation by providing the museum with funds to purchase generator fuel, which is needed to protect exhibits that require climate control.

But while the situation may be stable for now, as funds dry up, a new plan will be needed to ensure the museum’s survival.

Opening hours have been limited to cut fuel consumption.

Like most businesses and institutions in Lebanon, museums face challenges because economic depression started in 2019. Currently, power outages are a daily occurrence in Lebanon, with state power providing only one hour per day in most areas.

Museum director Anne-Marie Afeiche told Al Jazeera: “You have to fight and carry on – especially because despite the lack of electricity we still have between 150 and 250 people visiting daily.

“We are solving problems like everyone – with [salaries of the] security, staff, issues paying for maintenance or cleaning – but we’re still standing,” she added.

“Like the country, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”

‘This is our treasure, our legacy’

Opened in 1942, Lebanon’s main archeology museum now displays around 1,300 artifacts from a collection of 100,000 pieces from prehistoric times to Roman, Phoenician, Byzantine and Mamluk times.

For the museum’s stone objects, climate control is not an issue.

But for items like frescoes, mummies and textiles, metals or organic artifacts like Bronze Age weapons and Roman leather armor, the control of temperature and humidity – and thus is strength – is essential.

Afeiche said the museum is closely monitoring sensitive items for damage or alterations.

“These collections are irreplaceable. This is our treasure, our legacy, and we must take the best care of it.”

Often, she said, the swings between hot and cold, wetness caused by power outages pose the greatest dangers.

“So really, we dodged the bullet, because it’s only been two weeks with a very bad power situation and now things are better.”

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Areas of Conflict (ALIPH) has been working with the museum since its inception. Beirut Harbor Explosion in 2020pledged $5 million to support cultural facilities and monuments damaged in the blast or threatened by the country’s challenges.

The museum’s generator was damaged in the explosion and has yet to be fully repaired. The energy situation in Lebanon has only worsened since the port explosion, amid a plunging currency and skyrocketing fuel prices.

In November 2021, ALIPH provided $15,000 to purchase fuel, to alleviate pressing electrical problems.

When that money was depleted and the museum was once again without regular electricity, ALIPH reassessed the situation and approved a grant of $130,000 in February 2022 to use for solar installations, by the Louvre Museum of Paris in collaboration with the Director General of Lebanon. Antiquities (DGA).

ALIPH project director David Sassine told Al Jazeera: “It was a necessity and we know the DGA is struggling with preserving objects and keeping the museum at certain levels, in terms of temperature. and humidity.

“Most favorable [scenario] is to keep any object in very stable condition, [otherwise] The aging of these elements will be catalyzed in a large way.

“Rather than restoring generators when it is uncertain that there will be an adequate fuel supply, we have opted for a more sustainable approach focusing on renewable energy to ensure the museum is self-sufficient in supply. power supply.”

Despite the urgency of the project, the solar panels cannot be installed until the council of ministers has formally approved the funding and all the technical aspects have been mapped out.

Sassine believes the approval will be signed soon and the panels could be installed by December, but ultimately the timeline depends on the success of the Lebanese government.

ALIPH has now approved another $15,000 fuel subsidy, to help keep the generators running until the solar system can be installed.

Meanwhile, the DGA and the Department of Finance decided in September to increase the admission price for all government-managed museums and archaeological sites to generate additional income for maintenance and other expenses. .

The museum will have to rely on locals with access to dollars or tourists and expats to stay afloat, especially given the influx of visitors into Lebanon in recent months.

Afeiche said the museum relies heavily on income from the museum’s storefront and other facilities for most of its maintenance and cleaning costs.

“The National Heritage Foundation has built an extension to the museum [in 2020]will eventually be inaugurated with a cafe,” she added.

“It is always [shop]restaurants and cafes help the museum to maintain [itself]. It’s not often that ticket sales are the main income.”

The extension, which has been delayed due to the pandemic, does not yet have an official opening date. Afeiche is optimistic that, with the addition of a cafe and a solar installation, the National Museum will thrive once again and protect Lebanon’s historical treasures.

The museum hopes to make the most of this year’s rise in tourism, with the easing of COVID restrictions around the world and the devaluation of the Lebanese pound, which includes a lot of expats.

“We’ve had a lot of Lebanese visiting and I’m always very proud when they do, because these Lebanese often live abroad and when they come back to see their family, they feel like they’re going to the Museum. Country, with their friends or friends are coming. with them,” said Afeiche.

“It’s very important to give back the national pride and heritage they have.”





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