Lebanese cave museum preserves Chouf village's traditions

Record ID: 276092

  • Title: Lebanese cave museum preserves Chouf village's traditions
  • Date: 21st February 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE STUDENT VISITING THE MUSEUM, MOHAMMED SUADAN, SAYING: "I am happy to discover more things that people can do here and that they can be freed from what keeps them in a capital city like Beirut."
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2017 13:22
  • Keywords: Lebanon museum heritage village culture tradition mosaic antique Chouf Jahliye farming
  • Location: JAHLIYE, LEBANON
  • City: JAHLIYE, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA00364GNXAT
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Three caves standing on a rocky slab in Jahliye village in the Chouf district serve as a museum dedicated to Lebanese village life.
    The caves house traditional farming tools, furniture and paintings - all reflecting the rural lives of villagers and celebrating Lebanon's heritage.
    Lebanese artist Ghandi Bou Diab started the 'Cave Of Art' museum in 1990.
    Bou Diab wanted to establish a landmark in the Lebanese mountains where visitors could learn about the district's unique culture, heritage and art.
    "We started bringing back the past by collecting farming, heritage and rural tools, as well as paintings and sculptures that observe nature. We also collect rocky tiles, dry tree trunks and everything that exists in nature. We bring them to the Cave Of Art to preserve, restore and exhibit them," he said.
    According to Bou Diab, some of the exhibited items in the museum date back 400 years.
    But the founder says he hopes to build more than a museum - he wants to create a creative space where visitors can be transported back in time and cultivate their curiosity about Lebanon's heritage.
    "We have different activities including exhibitions, cultural conferences, poetry nights and environmental events, all aimed at revitalizing the artistic and cultural scene in Lebanon," he added.
    Different schools across Lebanon organise trips to the Cave Of Art museum.
    And Bou Diab always makes sure to highlight traditional customs, especially when students come from an urban city like Beirut.
    Lebanese school director Elias Choufani accompanied his students on their journey through the museum and was impressed with the artefacts on show.
    "I have high hopes that students will leave this outing with a better understanding of culture, traditions and other civilizations. There are some things here - like paintings, handicrafts and nature - that they can't see and discover in Beirut," he said.
    The young students also enjoyed the visit and Bou Diab's historical insights and activities, which included making clay pots and organising a party of traditional music, dance and food.
    "I am happy to discover more things that people can do here and that they can be freed from what keeps them in a capital city like Beirut," said one student, Mohammed Suadan.
    "I love the place here a lot and I found it more beautiful than Beirut," added Yara Choufani, another student.
    The museum also houses an antique market where visitors can buy books and hand-made products made by the local community.
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