Night at the Museums: One magical night combining art and history

BEIRUT: For the sixth year in a row, the Ministry of Culture is organizing a free night at the museums around Lebanon on April 6.

Most of the museums usually close at 5 pm, making it difficult for working Lebanese to visit them and connect with their cultural heritage.

This initiative aims at providing everyone with the opportunity to access museums around the country for free. The idea was first kick-started in 2014 by Lynn Tehini, the advisor to the Minister of Culture who thought that working Lebanese should have the chance to visit museums at night.

Since March is the Month of the Francophonie in Lebanon and other French-speaking countries, the Ministry of Culture thought that the “Nuit Des La Musées” event should take place shortly after the end of the month, as a closure to the Francophonie month. The month full of events is usually organized with the Lebanese Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and several other embassies of different French-speaking countries in Lebanon.

At first, only four museums participated at “La Nuit Des Musées Liban,” however this year 14 museums are participating after the night gained popularity from interested citizens. Other museums are strongly pushing to join this national event in the following years. Sabine Abi Dergham, a public relations coordinator at the event told Annahar that the primary success of the annual event goes back to the Lebanese people themselves.

“The Lebanese are known for their love of language, culture, and arts,” she noted.

Free bus rides will be provided for museum enthusiasts wishing to visit museums in other parts of the country. The meeting point is at 5 pm at the Liban Park next to the National Museum of Beirut.

For those wishing to roam around the museums in Beirut, buses will also be provided. Others, heading to Saida will get to explore five different museums located in the historical city. As for those heading to the North, three museums will be explored in Antelias and Jbeil.

The relatively new Nabu museum, which opened last year, in Chekka, can be visited in the North or a bit further up the road, art lovers can visit the museum at the University of Balamand at Koura.

“All you have to do is book your free ride on virgin ticketing box office so we know how many people are coming, and how many buses to provide,” Abi Dergham stated.

Outside each museum, there will be booths selling various products, and food. Art, good music, ambiance, and eats are the keynote characteristics of this awaited event.