The Ministry of Culture – Directorate General of Antiquities issued the following statement:
Some social media outlets have reported that the Ministry of Culture gave the green light to the demolition of Beirut Theater under pressure from the State Council and threats from the owner. The Ministry of Culture wishes to clarify that it had included part of property 243 in the Ain al-Mreisseh real estate district, on which Beirut Theater stands, in the general inventory list under Decision No. 133/2011, designating it as a historical and cultural landmark.
After the property owner appealed to the State Council requesting the annulment of the aforementioned decision, the Ministry of Culture prepared a detailed study explaining the importance of the cultural property as an essential part of Beirut’s heritage, given its material and symbolic value as a fundamental cultural landmark that must be preserved. However, the State Council did not accept the arguments presented by the Ministry and instead considered the aforementioned decision to be in violation of the Antiquities Law (Decision No. 166/LR dated November 7, 1933), and unanimously decided…” The Ministry of Culture has overturned its decision to include part of property number 243 in the Ain Mreisseh area on the general inventory list.
While affirming its ongoing commitment to protecting the national cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture is committed to respecting the law and implementing all judicial decisions.
Some social media outlets have reported that the Ministry of Culture gave the green light to the demolition of Beirut Theater under pressure from the State Council and threats from the owner. The Ministry of Culture wishes to clarify that it had included part of property 243 in the Ain al-Mreisseh real estate district, on which Beirut Theater stands, in the general inventory list under Decision No. 133/2011, designating it as a historical and cultural landmark.
After the property owner appealed to the State Council requesting the annulment of the aforementioned decision, the Ministry of Culture prepared a detailed study explaining the importance of the cultural property as an essential part of Beirut’s heritage, given its material and symbolic value as a fundamental cultural landmark that must be preserved. However, the State Council did not accept the arguments presented by the Ministry and instead considered the aforementioned decision to be in violation of the Antiquities Law (Decision No. 166/LR dated November 7, 1933), and unanimously decided…” The Ministry of Culture has overturned its decision to include part of property number 243 in the Ain Mreisseh area on the general inventory list.
While affirming its ongoing commitment to protecting the national cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture is committed to respecting the law and implementing all judicial decisions.
