Having been present in the Lebanon for several years, the Institute's activities there were reinforced following the explosion in the port of Beirut in August 2020, initially to provide practical assistance and then by continuing the project supported by a Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI - AGIR) from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Institut Français du Proche-Orient and the Groupe Interacadémique pour le Développement.
The programme designed by the Institute for the period 2019-2023 was divided into 3 parts: a series of short courses to enhance the skills of professionals from the Lebanese General Directorate of Antiquities, the offsetting up of an initial training cursus in conservation-restoration at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts - Balamand University ,and the strengthening of the initial museum studies course at the Lebanese University.
At the same time, the Institute received support from ALIPH to set up emergency actions for the Sursock museum, the American University of Beirut Archaeological Museum and the photo library of Saint Joseph University in Beirut.
A few dates
May, June 2023: Reinforcement of expertise and training activities at the Saint Joseph University photo library.
May, June 2023: Participation in setting up a training programme with the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts, with the Lebanese General Directorate of Antiquities, and implementation of two field schools in Beirut.
September 2022: Implementation of a training programme for heritage professionals in the conservation of stone in the open air.
December 2020: Introduction of a course in conservation-restoration at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts
October 2020: Restoration of works on paper from the Sursock Museum damaged by the explosion in the port of Beirut in the Lebanon
September 2020: Rescue mission of glass archaeological objects in collaboration with the AUB museum team
June 2019: Organisation of a field-school at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Églises d'Orient on the conservation and restoration of archival documents.
