According to the Lebanese official news agency NNA, the opening of the Sursock Museum, a contemporary art museum whose restoration has been completed, was attended by Lebanese Minister of Culture Mohammed Murtaza, UNESCO Beirut Regional Office Director Costanza Farina and Swiss Ambassador to Beirut Marion Weichelt.
At the opening, Minister of Culture Murtaza stated that “The Sursock Museum is the conscience and heart of Lebanese culture” and noted that the restoration of the Museum was carried out in cooperation with Switzerland, Italy and UNESCO.
On August 4, 2020, a fire broke out in a warehouse containing explosives in the Port of Beirut, and then a very powerful explosion occurred that shook the entire city.
It was stated that more than 200 people died in the explosion, more than 6 thousand people were injured and 300,000 people were displaced due to the explosion.
In the explosion, which also damaged many historical buildings, the Sursock Museum, which is 800 meters from the port, was also severely damaged and became unusable.
UNESCO had announced that France had contributed to the restoration of the museum and Italy had contributed one million euros.