Baalbeck International Festival Issues Urgent Appeal to Protect Archaeological Heritage.

Baalbeck: The Baalbeck International Festival has issued an open letter calling for immediate intervention to protect the city and its archaeological heritage from ongoing assaults. The festival organizers are appealing to diplomatic missions, international organizations, heritage specialists, and influential stakeholders to address the damages inflicted on Baalbeck and its archaeological complex, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, recent events near the Acropolis have caused significant damage to the historical "Gouraud Barracks." Explosions and subsequent smoke have compromised the structural integrity of ancient stones, resulting in visible cracks. These incidents are seen as clear violations of international law, specifically the 1972 World Heritage Convention and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Baalbeck, a city with a rich history spanning 11,000 years, conta ins remnants from Phoenician, Roman, and Arab civilizations. Its acropolis is considered one of the best-preserved in the world. The upcoming 75th anniversary of the Baalbeck International Festival highlights the cultural significance of the site, which has hosted renowned international artists and celebrated Lebanese folkloric traditions. The festival, supported by the local community, aims to preserve Baalbeck as a symbol of diversity, openness, and cooperation through art. The Baalbeck International Festival's letter emphasizes the urgent need for global attention and action to ensure that the "City of the Sun" does not succumb to neglect and destruction.