Beirut Cultural Institutions Close Amid Escalating Conflict

With rising tensions in the region, several cultural institutions in Beirut have decided to suspend their operations. The Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation, Sursock Museum, Dar El-Nimer for Arts & Culture, and the Beirut Art Center have all announced their closures via press releases and social media. However, the Beirut Art Center’s residency space, Room For Practice, remains open for community activities and artistic projects. The situation worsened after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on March 1, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported 72 deaths, 437 injuries, and over 83,000 people displaced. On March 2, Lebanon's education minister ordered the closure of all public and private schools. President Joseph Aoun denounced the violence, warning against using Lebanese territory for proxy battles.