Canvas Revisits Beirut Blast's Impact on Art and Culture Six Months On
On 4 August 2020 at 6:08 PM, a massive explosion at the port of Beirut killed nearly 200 people, injured thousands, and displaced many more. The blast compounded existing crises in Lebanon, including protests, the pandemic, and economic collapse. In response, the Sep/Oct 2020 issue of Canvas magazine, titled "Beirut Speaks," featured voices from artists, architects, activists, designers, and cultural professionals reflecting on the destruction and the path to rebuilding. Six months later, Canvas released a video version of those testimonies to commemorate the event and ensure continued dialogue. The article includes an erratum correcting the misidentification of Sursock Palace as Sursock Museum.
Key facts
- The explosion occurred on 4 August 2020 at 6:08 PM at the Beirut port.
- Nearly 200 people were killed and thousands injured.
- The blast was the largest man-made non-nuclear explosion in recent memory.
- Canvas magazine's Sep/Oct 2020 issue was titled 'Beirut Speaks'.
- The issue featured artists, architects, activists, designers, and cultural professionals.
- A video version of the issue was released six months after the blast.
- An erratum corrected the misidentification of Sursock Palace as Sursock Museum.
- Lebanon was already facing protests, a pandemic, and an economic crisis.
Entities
Institutions
- Canvas
- Sursock Museum
- Sursock Palace
Locations
- Beirut
- Lebanon