Lebanon’s Culture Ministry has launched a digital platform to preserve the country’s tangible and intangible heritage, including personal memories and natural assets. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the “Archiving Lebanon’s Heritage” initiative was presented at the National Library and developed in partnership with the Heritage International Institute and other international organizations. The platform invites contributions from Lebanese residents and expatriates, as well as anyone holding records of the country’s past.
Culture Minister Ghassan Salame explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the recent war damaged archaeological sites and historic markets. He noted that the financial losses exceed millions of dollars and that restoring the damage could take an entire generation. Salame described the impact as the theft of intimate history, emphasizing that private collections often contain materials more significant than those held by public institutions. He cited the discovery of valuable documents by families during the preparation of an exhibition marking the centenary of Lebanon’s Constitution.
The platform accepts digital copies rather than originals, allowing contributors to retain intellectual property rights through a written agreement. Donors can control access levels, ranging from private archives to public publication. Sergio Iovino, president of the Heritage International Institute, described the initiative as a digital fortress for the Lebanese diaspora. Sarkis Khoury, Lebanon’s Director General of Antiquities, urged the public to view their memories as tools for saving what remains of their heritage.
Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Marcelli reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to preserving Lebanese cultural heritage. He highlighted recent restoration work at the Beirut National Museum and the Mar Mikhael railway station, which was carried out in cooperation with UNESCO and the UN refugee agency. Marcelli emphasized the value of microhistory, arguing that studying everyday experiences and small communities reveals important insights into how an entire society functions. The new initiative shifts the focus from major monuments to the lives of individuals and families.