On April 13, 1975, the first sparks of the Lebanese Civil War were ignited in Ain Al-Roumaneh, in what came to be known through many coded references, including the “bus incident.” While this date is often cited as the war’s starting point, the reality is more complex — Lebanon’s wars have deeper roots and broader contexts, and while the start date is seemingly decided, the end is not, making this day a symbol of a tragic chapter whose effects are still felt to this day.

Fifty years later, this exhibition — organized by UMAM Documentation & Research and featuring the work of Lebanese artists — is not about revisiting a past event, but about questioning a history that remains unresolved and continues. The exhibition seeks to free the memory of war from rigid narratives and uncover what lies buried in silence and forgetfulness, offering an artistic reading of the repetition of wars and their transformation into the infrastructure of daily life.

This is not a historical account of the war, but rather an open question: How do we archive what has not yet ended?

Participating Artists: Lamia Joreige, Alfred Tarazi, Talal Khoury & Houssam Bokeili
Curated and coordinated by: Ayman Nahle

Exhibition Hours: Open Monday to Friday, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, or by appointment.
For appointments, please call: 01-553604

Poster: Alfred Tarazi