Beirut Bereft: Architecture of the Forsaken and Map of the Derelict

Beirut, once a thriving hub of modern architecture, has been left in ruins since the Lebanese Civil War. Beirut Bereft showcases 57 abandoned and ruined structures, symbolizing the country's wider fragmentation. The Murr Tower, inspired by Corbusier, stands as a poignant emblem of destruction and lost hopes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2022
Publisher: Sharjah Art Foundation

Beirut, a city perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, once thrived as a bustling hub of modern architecture. However, the Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975 and claimed over 120,000 lives before its cessation in 1990, left a devastating impact on the city's architectural heritage. Many of Beirut's modernist landmarks have been abandoned or ruined, serving as a stark reminder of the wider fragmentation that has plagued Lebanon.

To shed light on this phenomenon, Lebanese writer Rasha Salti and photographer Ziad Antar collaborated on a project called Beirut Bereft. Through a visual, textual, and cartographic vocabulary, they profiled 57 of these abandoned or ruined structures, offering a poignant glimpse into the city's architectural past.

One such building that has become an emblem of the destruction and lost hopes of Beirut is the Murr Tower. Designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier and begun in 1974, the Murr Tower was incomplete at the onset of the war. Today, it looms over a city that is still rebuilding and finding its way forward.

The Murr Tower symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Lebanese people, who have faced numerous challenges throughout history. Despite the destruction caused by the war, the tower stands as a testament to the city's unwavering spirit and its determination to rise from the ashes.

Beirut Bereft is a powerful project that raises awareness about the ongoing struggle of Lebanese cities to preserve their architectural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of heritage preservation and the role that it plays in shaping a city's identity and future.

In conclusion, Beirut's urban ruins are a visual testament to the devastating impact of the Lebanese Civil War. Through the collaborative efforts of Rasha Salti and Ziad Antar, Beirut Bereft offers a poignant glimpse into the city's architectural past and serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Lebanese people. It is a powerful project that raises awareness about the ongoing struggle of Lebanese cities to preserve their architectural heritage and encourages us to value and protect the built environment that surrounds us.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 236 x 298 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789948024835