An educational and artistic project by the Sursock Museum in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and supported by the Government of Italy
Illustration: Rami Tannous
Cat Character: Léna Merhej
The Sursock Museum has produced the book Soksok parmi les couleurs, un voyage dans l’art
libanais in collaboration with Samandal Comics, with the aim of introducing young audiences to
Lebanon’s modern artistic heritage. The book presents a selection of Lebanese artists
represented in the Museum’s collection as well as in other local institutions, offering an
accessible and lively panorama of the country’s artistic scene.
The publication opens with an introduction to Lebanon’s archaeological heritage, prepared by
the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA), situating the history of modern art within the
continuity of the country’s past. A chronological timeline highlights the major milestones of
Lebanese artistic creation, linking twentieth-century artworks to their social and cultural
contexts.
At the heart of the book lies a story written and illustrated by Samandal Comics, following the
journey of the cat “Soksok” through sixteen artworks from Lebanon’s artistic heritage. Through
this narrative, children discover various artistic practices in a playful way, while being encouraged
to observe, interpret, and imagine their own visual stories.
The final section of the book includes artist biographies and reproductions of original works,
offering readers a deeper understanding of the artists’ lives and creative approaches. A coloring
booklet, inspired notably by works by Willy Aractingi from the Museum’s collection,
accompanies the publication and invites children to engage directly with the shapes and colors
of Lebanese art.
Workshops to Bring Young Audiences Closer to Art
The project extends beyond the book through a series of educational workshops that will be
held in Lebanese public schools in the coming months. These workshops aim to bring the world
of art closer to students and teachers, fostering dialogue between heritage, education, and
creativity.
Designed and led by Samandal Comics together with specialists in visual arts, the workshops
introduce children to the themes addressed in the book through drawing, comics, and visual
storytelling. Participants learn to observe artworks, craft stories inspired by paintings, and
express their imagination through color and illustration.
Teachers will also be involved through cultural mediation sessions that provide tools to
continue these explorations in the classroom, reinforcing the role of art as a path for learning
and personal expression.
A Shared Commitment to Culture and Education
Supported by the Government of Italy and implemented with the backing of the Italian Agency
for Development Cooperation (AICS), this initiative reflects a joint commitment to the
preservation of cultural heritage and the education of younger generations.
“This book is one of the first publications developed by the Sursock Museum for children,
strengthening the Museum’s educational mission; an effort that will remain at the core of
our activities in the years to come. Our partnership with Italy has enabled us to reach and
inspire younger generations through our collection. Our collaboration with Samandal
Comics has also allowed us to do so in a particularly creative way. We also look forward
to strengthening ties with the National Museum through future projects.”
Karina El Helou, Director of the Sursock Museum
“Italy is proud to stand alongside Lebanon in its efforts to preserve and promote its cultural
heritage. Our collaboration with the Sursock Museum and the Ministry of Culture reflects
our commitment to protecting the treasures of the past, while also encouraging creativity
and expression among young people who represent future generations. Culture is a bridge
that connects people, and together we can follow the path of renewal and solidarity
through it.”
H.E. Fabrizio Marcelli, Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon
“This initiative has brought together artists, Lebanese institutions, schools, and young
people around the shared goal of promoting modern art. We hope that this creative book,
illustrated by Samandal Comics, will inspire teachers and students in public schools to
develop innovative projects throughout the school year. Our collaboration with the
Sursock Museum and the Ministry of Education and Culture represents an important step
toward making art accessible to all and allowing new generations to flourish through
culture.”
Liana De Rosa, Director of AICS Beirut
The book Soksok parmi les couleurs, un voyage dans l’art libanais will be available in French
at the Museum’s reception and shop starting Saturday, 15 November 2025, with the Arabic
edition to follow.