The founder of the Lebanese Tiro Arts Association (TAA), Kassem Istambouli, has announced he is making his theatres and cinemas available to refugees.
The decision follows the Israeli bombing campaign in Beirut and southern Lebanon, in response to Hezbollah attacks. In two weeks the bombing campaign has displaced nearly one million people, according to France Inter, and left more than 900 dead. The death toll continues to rise daily.
The theatres in Tyre, Beirut, and Tripoli are open to provide “
temporary accommodation for families forced to flee their homes due to the recent security events, offering them a safe haven in a difficult situation,” the association stated in a press release.
Kassem Istambouli said the teams have developed solutions to offer temporary accommodation which preserve the each family’s dignity and guarantee a minimum level of privacy. He called on other cultural institutions to play a similar role in the current context.
Tiro Arts Association renovates and restores Lebanese cultural sites and promotes culture through theatre and film. In an article last year we mentioned the fundraising appeal for the renovation of Beirut’s Le Colisée cinema. Since last September it has been open as the Lebanese National Theatre and is currently welcoming families.
Sources: TAA, Radio France
