Following years of recession, Tripoli, a city that has been historically renowned for its unique woodcraft furniture industry, witnesses today the first ever collective furniture exhibition, DAR 2019, where 23 locally renowned carpenters and 27 artisans exhibited a selection of their best pieces.
DAR 2019 is organized in the framework of the Private Sector Development Program which is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France to support the furniture industry in Tripoli. It aims at connecting the dots between makers, subcontractors and designers, architects and contractors to facilitate the business linkages and development. To achieve this objective, the sector is exhibiting the talent and know-how of carpenters and of the entire furniture value chain in Tripoli.
The opening ceremony attended by the representatives of the different officials began with the speeches of several personalities representing the different partners of the Private Sector Development Program – Wood Sector who contributed to the success of Minjara and DAR 2019, namely Mr. Julien Schmitt – Expertise France – Team Leader Private Sector Development Program; Ms. Hala Moubarak – Senior Designer and Curator; Mr. Dany Abboud – ALI (Association of the Lebanese Industrialists) – Member of the Board of Directors; Dr Fawaz Hamidi – BIAT (Business Incubation Association in Tripoli) – Director; Mr. Toufic Dabboussi – Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli & North Lebanon – President and Mr. Rein Neiland – European Union – Head of Cooperation. The ceremony was attended by different personalities and officials from the North namely Mr. Mokbel Malak, representing Former Prime Minister Nagib Mikati; Ms. Nadine Roumieh, representing Deputy Mr. Michel Moawad; Mr. Amer El Rifai, representing Deputy Mr. Samir El Jisr; Mr. Elie Obeid, representing Deputy Mr. Jean Obeid; Mr. Abdel Kader Alameddine, President of Al-Mina Municipality Council and Mr. Akram Oueida, President of the Rachid Karami International Fair.
DAR 2019 also showcases the first Minjara furniture Collection, which is the fruit of a direct collaboration between Tripoli’s carpenters and interior designers. DAR 2019 was held for 6 days at Minjara, the full-fledge carpentry platform located in the iconic Rashid Karami International Fair, from July 4 till July 6, and then from July 12 till July 14.
Minjara will participate in other local and international design exhibitions in the framework of “Design Ethos” platform.