The Phoenix Center for Lebanese Studies at USEK, in partnership with AsILE association, organized an artistic exhibition entitled “Beirut: Past and Present” that tackles 3 themes “My personal Space”, “My collective Identity” and “Me as an actor? Spectator? Of my city’s transformation”.

Several artists took part in the event, namely: Marie Saliba, Maral Der Boghossian, Mar Meen Halsoy, Rima Saab, Elie Abu Merhi, USEK Graphic Arts & Advert Section, Elsie Haddad, Chafa Ghaddar, Lara Tabet, Tony H. Khoury and Youmna Habbouche.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Moukarzel, Director of the Main Library, declared on the occasion: “Heritage, identity, and artistic creation; three concepts that are in constant conflict, always provoking and stimulating one another, thus being intrinsically linked the one to the other. The Phoenix Center for Lebanese Studies embarks, through its collaboration with the AsILE association, on a journey to explore what can be truly called the “oxygen manufacturers”. If we consider the heritage to represent the human body, then the artistic creation would represent its lungs while the cultural identity represents nothing other than oxygen, which is the major element of social cohesion. The different forms of arts and expressions are privileged means that lead to openness and to discovering one another. And some of the main challenges of the Phoenix Center are to spread knowledge, share and communicate.”

Along with this event, a round table entitled “Heritage… in Action!” was held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Its objective was to launch a seminar holding the same title, expected to be held at the end of June 2011 within the framework of the USEK Gold Jubilee activities.