Fire Recovery of The Sunflower Cultural Space in Lebanon

The Sunflower (Dawar Al SHAMS) is a cultural space in Beirut, Lebanon, managed since 2005 by the SHAMS Association. It houses two performance halls, an exhibition hall, two multipurpose studios, offices and meeting rooms, hosting activities of SHAMS and five other associations: Khayal, ICARE, Koon, the Caravan, and the Art School. Described as an “indispensable hub for the youth,” it welcomes people of all ages, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds to participate in its productions, broadcasts, festivals, workshops, seminars, and exchanges at local, regional, and international levels.

The Sunflower fosters social cohesion and inclusivity, serving as a community space for minority groups, including women’s groups and refugees from Syria and Palestine. It promotes cultural dialogue by collaborating with local and foreign associations and hosts workshops and plays on topics often considered controversial in the Lebanese society. These activities provide a haven for young people in Beirut to reflect and process trauma through the lens of theatre. From its foundation to the present, The Sunflower’s purpose is clear: using art to celebrate diversity and make Beirut, Lebanon, and the Levant region a more tolerant place.

In July 2023, a fire destroyed the space’s main entrance, causing significant damage. Local volunteers immediately intervened, but extensive repairs were still needed. SHAMS sought help from Cultural Emergency Response (CER) in September 2023 to stabilise the space. Given Lebanon's socio-political context, including the 2020 port explosion and escalating political tensions, stabilising The Sunflower was urgent.

With CER’s support, SHAMS and local partners removed destroyed items, repaired the entrance, ceiling, and floor tiles, repainted walls, and installed new electrical and lighting systems. They also repaired the elevator system, used by people with special needs, and consulted with the city’s fire department, purchased necessary fire extinguishers, and planned for smoke and fire sensors. These efforts strengthened SHAM’s relationship with the fire department and improved fire prevention measures. Despite certain challenges such as the fluctuating Lebanese currency and hidden damages from the fire, SHAMS reported that the results of the project were "better than expected.”

By November 2023, the local community resumed work, group meetings, performances and film projections. By the end of the year, the theatre hosted 118 artists, 52 technicians, 58 production staff, and 13,794 spectators, demonstrating the importance of cultural continuity for community engagement and well-being.

The project went beyond renovation; it significantly contributed to the community’s well-being, social cohesion, and cultural continuity. The space provides an essential outlet for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and community bonding in a conflict-prone region. The project ensured the continuity of the space’s activities, fostering normalcy, resilience, and hope. Additionally, improved fire prevention knowledge enhanced safety and empowered the community to protect its cultural heritage from future threats.

SHAMS emphasised the broader impact, stating that the most important result was the support from local and international partners, highlighting the importance of solidarity in enhancing resilience in crisis situations. The project’s success underscores CER’s guiding principle: culture keeps communities together and provides a foundation for the future.