5 Oct 2018

Promoting culture of peace through arts

One of the first cinemas of Lebanon, “Cinema Rivoli of Tyre” had a name, fame and aura. Started in 1959 in a bustling neighbourhood of Tyre, Cinema Rivoli was visited by celebrity who’s whos of the time, including Jean Marais, Brigitte Bardot, Rushdi Abaza and Omar Hariri. In 1988 the budding cinema was forced to close due to the raging civil war.

Now, thanks to 12 years of unprecedented calm in south Lebanon, it’s back to life again. Earlier this year, Tiro Association for Arts (TAA), founded by arts enthusiast Kassem Istanbouli, undertook a project to restore Cinema Rivoli. The official opening will be on 27 October 2018.

Last Friday (28 September), Cinema Rivoli hosted an event to highlight the UNIFIL-supported “See Lebanon in Mobile Cinema” project, implemented by TAA. Mr. Istanbouli said the project, initiated with the aim of reviving the art and theatre in south Lebanon, offers a unique opportunity for the towns and villages in south Lebanon to meet and to build the culture of art and peace.

Initiated with the aim of reviving art and theatre in south Lebanon, the ongoing “Peace Bus” and “Mobile Cinema” project aims to reach another 20 villages in south Lebanon. The project is supported by the Ministries of Tourism and Culture, municipalities, and UNIFIL. It aims to build bridges and exchange cultures.

“Tourism sends a message of peace and forgiveness and accepting of the other, let’s work on consolidating it and making it the culture of our future generations,” said the Director General of Ministry of Tourism, Nada Sardouk Ghandour, during the ceremony.

Addressing the same event, attended by both Lebanese dignitaries and UNIFIL leadership, the Head of the Tyre Union of Municipalities, Hassan Dbouk, said, “Peace is not built by force and imposition; real and deep-rooted peace is built through the cultural interaction and knowledge exchange.”

For his part, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col underlined the importance of engaging youth, while highlighting the recently unveiled UN initiative “Youth 2030,” which reflects the UN’s commitment to working with and for young people across three pillars: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. He added, “We in UNIFIL are eager to listen to voices from young people of south Lebanon, as they represent the future of Lebanon.”

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Article: Hiba Monzer

Stills: Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU)

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