The Lebanese National Theater Opens Its Doors to War Displaced Families

The “Free Lebanese National Theater” has begun welcoming families seeking shelter and support in Tripoli and Tyre. In parallel, the “Tiro Association for the Arts” is organizing training workshops for children and youth affected by the conflict in these cities. Kassem Istanbouli, the founder of the Lebanese National Theater, emphasized the importance of transforming theaters and cultural spaces into havens for displaced individuals, stating, “It’s essential that we open our theaters to the community rather than leaving our people on the streets. This initiative is a form of cultural resistance and solidarity, providing workshops that help address the psychological effects of war on our children and youth.”
Led by enthusiastic young volunteers, the Tiro Association for the Arts is committed to establishing free and independent cultural spaces across Lebanon. Their efforts include the restoration of the Hamra Cinema, Stars Cinema in Nabatieh, and Rivoli Cinema in Tyre—now known as the Lebanese National Theater, the country’s first free theater and cinema. They are also revitalizing the Empire Cinema in Tripoli and the Colisee Cinema in Beirut. The association hosts workshops, artistic training sessions, and a variety of festivals and art exhibitions.
Collaborating with the Swiss Drosos Foundation, the Tiro Association programs artistic and educational film screenings for children and youth, fosters connections with international festivals, and creates opportunities for young filmmakers to showcase their work. They also aim to educate the public on cinema history and provide screenings for blind and deaf audiences, along with training workshops for individuals with special needs.
Among the festivals they have established are the Lebanon International Theater Festival, the Shouf Lebanon Mobile Cinema Festival, the Tripoli International Theater Festival, and the Tyre International Music Festival, as well as events focused on storytelling, fine arts, Lebanon Theater Festival for women’s monodrama and contemporary dance.