«Remaining»: Rekindle the Memory of the Victims of Political Assassinations Since 2005

“To hope is to defy the future.” – Emil Cioran

This quote, photographed by Édouard Elias, was written by journalist Samir Kassir on a piece of paper two weeks before his assassination in 2005. It is among many personal artifacts Elias has photographed to preserve the legacy of victims of political assassinations in Lebanon since that date.

These portraits and relics will be showcased in the photo exhibition “Remaining”, on the occasion of the 5th commemoration of Lokman Slim's assassination. 

The exhibition will run from February 7 to March 3 at Union Marks, Burj Hammoud, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The inauguration took place in the presence of a large crowd and several prominent figures, including MPs Marwan Hamadé and Michel Moawad, and former minister May Chidiac. This exhibition is a collaboration between photographer and photojournalist Édouard Elias and journalist and filmmaker Katia Jarjoura, curator of the project. It is produced by the Lokman Slim Foundation, with the support of the French Institute. 

A Bridge Between Past and Present

“Remaining” tells the story of 21 assassination victims, including political figures, security personnel, writers, journalists, witnesses, and survivors. The photographs range from images of their loved ones and objects that were precious to them to the places and crime scenes where the attacks took place, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and empathy.

Inspiration and Tribute

Katia Jarjoura reflects on the personal connection that inspired the project. “This exhibition is first and foremost a tribute to my dear friend Lokman Slim, who was tragically killed in 2021, but also to other victims of political assassinations in Lebanon who fought for a free and sovereign Lebanon, and paid for it with their lives.”

The Value of “Remaining”

Édouard Elias reflects on the title “Remaining”: “After someone’s death, there is always a feeling of absence. Because justice has not been served, these people are caught in an in-between state. They are still present; we have not yet removed their memories, taken down the hat on the coat rack, or put away the watch on the bedside table.”

 “In a country where the judicial system is weak and most crimes go unpunished, art can respond to or help fill this failure,” adds Jarjoura.  “Remaining” is in essence, a way of saying ‘they remain,’ and ‘we remain with them.’”

A Shared Humanity and Visual Approach

“Remaining” is told exclusively in black and white. Elias explains this stylistic choice: “I chose black and white because the photographs deal with absence, memory, and the timeless nature of those who have passed away. I wanted the work to be formal, without color effects or stylistic interventions, so that each person is placed on the same level.”

Using everyday objects and familiar settings, Elias invites visitors to see the shared humanity of these families and to reflect on how closely their lives mirror their own.

Since gaining independence in 1943, Lebanon has experienced over 200 political assassinations, the vast majority of which remain unpunished. 

The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) severely weakened state institutions, while the 1991 amnesty law entrenched a culture of impunity that continues to influence political life. 

The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005, followed by the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), marked a turning point, revealing political murder as a tool of Syrian-Iranian influence and undermining both Lebanese sovereignty and the rule of law.

Who Was Lokman Slim?

Lokman Slim was a Lebanese publisher, filmmaker, and political activist known for his outspoken defense of human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. 

He co-founded UMAM Documentation and Research with his wife, Monika Borgmann, to preserve Lebanon’s collective memory and encourage public debate.

A staunch critic of sectarianism and political violence, Slim was assassinated on February 4, 2021, in Addousiyeh, South Lebanon.

“Remaining” is an urgent call for responsibility and justice, so that Lebanon’s future is not restrained, but embraced with hope.