Sharjah Ruler supports rehabilitation of Beirut Grand Theatre

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has allocated financial support for the rehabilitation of the Grand Theatre of Beirut as part of the international campaign launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to restore the historic building of the theatre in the Lebanese capital.

Representing HH Ruler of Sharjah, Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture, attended the ceremony announcing the Emirate of Sharjah’s contribution to the theatre’s rehabilitation.

Held in Beirut, the ceremony was attended by Ghassan Salameh, Lebanese Minister of Culture, Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General, Ibrahim Zeidan, Beirut Mayor, and a large number of officials and intellectuals.

During the ceremony, Al Owais delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of international efforts and joint cultural cooperation.

“We are pleased to meet today on this occasion, which dedicates international efforts and joint cultural co-operation to preserving Arab and global cultural heritage and supporting the continuation of the cultural journey of all countries with a view to protecting future generations and consolidating their roots for a better future brimming with hope and ambition,” he said.

“HH Ruler of Sharjah is keen to launch such cultural initiatives and extend co-operation with countries and international organizations. The past decades have witnessed constructive co-operation between the Emirate of Sharjah and UNESCO as represented by numerous awards and diverse cultural activities. This is something the UAE’s wise leadership is keen to promote in order to enrich the Arab and global cultural landscape,” he added.

Praising Sheikh Sultan’s efforts, Azoulay expressed her appreciation for the presence of Sheikh Sultan’s representative at this ceremony, which constitutes a prominent cultural event, noting that Sheikh Sultan’s support contributes to strengthening the continuity of UNESCO’s global efforts in supporting cultural affairs.

This generous initiative reflects Sheikh Sultan’s deep belief in the message of culture and his commitment to building bridges of cultural communication among peoples. The rehabilitation of Beirut Grand Theatre will contribute to restoring its role as a centre of artistic and cultural influence in the region,” she said.

Meanwhile, Salameh praised Sheikh Sultan’s efforts, stressing that he was the primary donor to this Lebanese and Arab cultural project.

This initiative reflected the pioneering role Sheikh Sultan had been playing for decades in strengthening the Arab cultural scene, he said, expressing his gratitude for his contribution to revitalizing an important Lebanese and Arab cultural facility.

Salameh emphasized that Sheikh Sultan’s support for this project is not merely a financial contribution, but rather represents an ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage and reviving Arab arts.

The rehabilitation of Beirut Grand Theatre would enhance opportunities for artistic communication between Lebanon and Arab countries and restore the theatre’s role as a platform for creativity and cultural influence, he said.

Later, Al Owais and the attendees toured the theatre’s facilities where they were briefed on its current condition and listened to engineers’ explanations of the building's architectural condition, stopping at the most prominent sections that would undergo restoration.

The Grand Theatre of Beirut was designed by Youssef Aftimos and built by Jacques Tabet (a poet and theatre enthusiast) during the 1920s. The building opened in 1929 and has hosted international theatrical productions over the years. The theater’s 630-seat auditorium includes an orchestra, two balconies, and stage equipment. It features a small, electrically operated steel dome on rails as well as a domed ceiling with decorative stained glass covering the lobby.

The theatre was designed to accommodate theatre and opera troupes, and performances continued there until the mid-1970s, when it remained abandoned to this day.