'Byblos' at the IMA: a cultural resistance in the face of war

At a time when conflicts are destabilizing cultural balances and directly threatening the treasures of the past, some exhibitions go beyond the purely artistic realm to become genuine acts of cultural resistance. That is precisely the case with the exhibition "Byblos, Millennial City of Lebanon," on display until August 23, 2026, at the Institut du monde arabe (IMA) in Paris. Featuring nearly 400 objects, it traces the ancient history of Byblos, one of the oldest ports in the world, while remaining firmly rooted in current events and the conflict that continues to affect Lebanon and the Middle East today. For the exhibition has also, in spite of itself, been shaped by war.

What impact did the war have on this project, both in its organization and its scenography? The latter notably featured a particularly striking element: the inscription "Artwork blocked by the war." Why that choice? Was it a deliberate decision to stir emotion in visitors? An act of resistance in the face of current events? Or something else entirely? Furthermore, what new discoveries have been made about this ancient city? Have those discoveries called into question certain historical assumptions about it? And what remains to be uncovered?

These are among the questions we explored with Agnès Carayon, exhibitions curator at the Institut du monde arabe, (see the interview in the attached video).

Owning the absence of works blocked by the war

Originally scheduled for 2024, the exhibition "Byblos, Millennial City of Lebanon" had to be postponed due to the conflict in the Levant region, which prevented the transport of many works from Lebanon. Two years on, despite an still-unstable situation, it has been relaunched — yet some pieces remain stranded there. Rather than concealing this reality, the organizers embrace it fully. Missing works are flagged throughout the exhibition with the note "artworks blocked by the war," making the direct effects of the conflict on the circulation of heritage visible, and lending immeasurable value to both the works on display and those that are absent.

By owning these absences, the exhibition takes on an entirely different dimension, presenting a dual narrative: one of a millennia-old memory, and one of a heritage rendered fragile and halted by contemporary realities.

Maintaining such an exhibition under these conditions goes far beyond the traditional scope of a museum. It is an affirmation that culture can endure despite war — that it can continue to circulate and transmit knowledge. "Byblos, Millennial City of Lebanon" thus takes the form of an act of cultural resistance, reminding us that preserving heritage is today, more than ever, a vital imperative.

A journey through 9,000 years of history

The exhibition immerses visitors in a city that has been inhabited for nearly 9,000 years — a major crossroads of Mediterranean civilizations and the world's first great international seaport. Byblos maintained close ties with Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean world, playing a key role in the spread of the Phoenician alphabet. Royal treasures, gold jewelry, ceremonial objects, and recent archaeological finds all bear witness to the richness and far-reaching influence of this civilization.

This exploration is extended through a cultural program of lectures, screenings, and discussions that delve deeper into the historical and contemporary issues surrounding Lebanon and its heritage. In keeping with the exhibition, ARTE is also broadcasting the documentary Lebanon: Secrets of the Kingdom of Byblosby Philippe Aractingi, available until October 9, 2026, on arte.tv, extending the journey of discovery beyond the museum's walls.

The exhibition is on view until August 23, 2026. For more information, visit:

https://www.imarabe.org/fr/agenda/expositions-musee/byblos-cite-millenaire-du-liban