The Director of Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO, Krista Pikat, announced funding of $100,000 to support cultural and creative industries outside the Lebanese capital. Pikat noted that "this funding allows UNESCO to provide emergency support for artists and cultural entities in Beirut through grants, enabling them to continue developing and presenting cultural products. We are confident that relentless efforts, strong collaboration, and a shared vision among partners will ensure the continuation of cultural life throughout Lebanon."
Culture Minister Mohamed Mortada highlighted that "the involvement of the Swiss Federal Department of Culture in collaboration with UNESCO to restore the Sursock Palace goes beyond the importance of restoring the stone; it touches on the restoration of Lebanon's cultural and civilizational role, which has always been a homeland that beauty travels to from all over the world."
He added: "The Sursock Palace is the conscience and heart of Lebanese culture; diversity flows from its architecture, dialogue springs forth within its walls, amidst a flurry of meetings between art and literature in all their forms. Its recent restoration by the hands of its rescuing partners is nothing but an act of universal faith that the spirit of the palace has returned to it, and that it will once again fill the world and engage people anew."
For her part, the Swiss ambassador to Lebanon, Marion Weichselt, stated: "With Sursock Palace, Switzerland has demonstrated the importance it places on protecting and preserving Beirut's cultural heritage." She continued: "Switzerland is proud to see today the progress made in rehabilitating the palace; we will continue our efforts to restore this iconic place and open it to the public."
The work is being implemented in partnership with, and financially supported by, the Swiss Federal Department of Culture and the Sursock Palace Association. Pikat was accompanied by Culture Minister Mohamed Mortada, Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Marion Weichselt, and Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut Costanza Farina, on a tour of the palace to showcase the rehabilitation work in its final stages. Prime Minister Najib Mikati also received Pikat, who thanked him for his ongoing support for UNESCO in the fields of culture, education, and media. Pikat also indicated that a management plan is currently being finalized for the Rashid Karami International Exhibition – Tripoli, after it was listed as a site on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list in January 2023.
