Beirut: The Beirut Housing Rehabilitation and Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries Recovery (BERYT) project marked a significant milestone today, celebrating the successful conclusion of a transformative journey for Beirut's cultural and creative sectors in the aftermath of the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion. The event held at the Sursock Museum gathered key stakeholders, including Lebanese government officials, project beneficiaries, representatives from the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF), UNESCO, UN-Habitat, and the World Bank.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the BERYT project, implemented by UN-Habitat and financed by the LFF, a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank, has been central to the recovery and resilience-building of Beirut's cultural landscape. UNESCO oversaw the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) component, playing a crucial role in supporting the recovery of the city's cultural and creative sectors, rebuilding and promoting its cultural identity alongside physical reconstruction efforts and support to small businesses.
The BERYT project awarded 139 grants totaling US$1,700,700, benefiting an array of CCI practitioners and entities across six vital cultural domains: Intangible Cultural Heritage, Literature and Press, Heritage and Tourism, Visual Arts, Fine Arts and Crafts, and Performing Arts. These grants provided a platform for growth and professional development, creating opportunities for marginalized groups and individuals to continue their work, gain new skills, and contribute to Beirut's evolving cultural ecosystem.
The CCI grants awarded by BERYT prioritized low-income youth, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable segments of Beirut's cultural and creative society. Proposals submitted by applicants were reviewed by a committee of independent preeminent experts from across Lebanon's CCI domains and selected for their merit in supporting neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and social value, alongside technical feasibility.
The ceremony featured exhibitions from grant recipients, showcasing their creative processes and final works. These exhibitions stand as a testament to the importance of CCI in preserving cultural heritage and creating sustainable livelihoods for artists and cultural workers. The project has been instrumental in building skills, promoting professional growth, and ensuring long-term viability for the creative sectors.
The event also included a tour of several heritage buildings currently under rehabilitation by the project in Beirut, emphasizing how cultural revitalization is integrated into the broader urban recovery process. This connection between physical rebuilding and cultural recovery highlights the potential of CCI to drive positive social and economic change, fostering inclusive opportunities for youth, women, and vulnerable groups in the creative economy.
As the BERYT project concludes, it's clear that the future of Beirut's creative industries depends not only on recovery but on continuous skill development and fostering new opportunities. By investing in creative sectors, Beirut remains a beacon of cultural expression and innovation, empowering the creative community to shape a brighter, resilient future.