As Lebanon breathes a tentative sigh of relief in the midst of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture aims to restore the National Museum of Beirut's pre-eminent position as the country's foremost cultural and historical institution, safeguarding past, present and future heritage.
Made possible by the National Heritage Foundation – which has supported the renovation and preservation of the National Museum since the end of the Lebanese Civil War – in partnership with the Es-Said family, the pavilion is a new space dedicated to creative artistry, the dialogue between art and culture, and the importance of remembrance.
Designed by architect Raed Abillama, the venue stands just off the south-western side of the famous National Museum building, joining a landmark that has overcome both conflicts and crises, manifesting the National Museum’s continuing mission to champion Lebanon within its vibrant and airy exhibition halls.
“It feels great to be able to share this jewel with the people and to receive all these visitors after a very difficult time,” Lama Salam, part of the committee of the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion, told The National. “In Lebanon, you cannot make dates for anything unfortunately, but this is our way of life.”
Originally planned to open in September with an official inauguration, the pavilion was forced to postpone following Israel’s deadly pager attacks. The situation then rapidly deteriorated into all-out warfare, with Israeli bombs falling across both Beirut and Lebanon at large for months.
While many other public events were cancelled and other institutions closed their doors, the pavilion elected to remain open, instead determined to provide residents with a reminder of Lebanon’s rich cultural history, and a promise of brighter days to come.
“We took the decision to open to the public in order to guarantee the continuity of Lebanon's cultural heritage,” added Salam. “I was visiting every day. For me, it was like a refuge; somewhere I could go and you have peace. It gave us hope that everything would end soon and we would be able to return to normality again. It's so many things in one beautiful space.”
It gave us hope that everything would end soon and we would be able to return to normality again
Lama Salam,
member of the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion committee
This opening also included the venue's inaugural exhibition, titled Portals and Pathways, A Journey Through Reality and Imagination. Conceived and curated by the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA), this striking showcase has been designed around four thematic galleries – or "portals" – that bring together Lebanon’s past and present, exploring the country’s multifaceted identity while also celebrating its rich artistic legacy; a tribute to the beauty of both the land and its people.
“We didn't want to have us or BeMA alone,” explained Salam. “We wanted to do something together, and the result was marvellous.”
“Despite the unimaginable circumstances the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture and BeMA remained steadfast in our commitment," said BeMA co-director Juliana Khalaf Salhab. "This is a space where shared heritage and collective imagination could resist the silencing effects of violence.”
The exhibition’s design draws heavily from the architecture of the pavilion itself, in turn, inspired by the efforts of then-director of the National Museum of Beirut Maurice Chehab during the 1980s to protect the museum and its collections of artefacts during the Lebanese Civil War by erecting steel-reinforced concrete walls around the building.
The first portal "Memory" examines the power of collective remembrance, reflecting on what is preserved and what is lost over time. It features a trio of restored works by Saloua Raouda Choucair, Omar Onsi’s 1919 sketches of vanished views from his Tallet el Khayat home and Lamia Joreige’s 2013 pinhole photographs of the Beirut National Museum. In dialogue, these artworks form a deep connection to one another, invoking themes of preservation, continuity and our own enduring attachments to time and place.
"Myths" focuses on the timelessness of shared stories as they are reinterpreted, reinvented and iterated upon across generations through pieces such as Randa Mirza’s dioramas based on forgotten pre-Islamic myths, and Said Akl’s 1957 works unfolding the legend of Adonis, deeply rooted in Lebanese folklore.
Meanwhile, "Perception" explores the interplay of reality and the illusive, inviting contemplation by challenging the boundaries of our experiences through modernist works by Helen El Khal and Elie Kanaan, juxtaposed against contemporary artists Daniele Genadry and Nasri Sayegh.
The final portal – "Territory" – centres upon earth and water as natural forces, reflecting on the profound connection between the Lebanese people and their homeland. Omar Onsi’s 1969 watercolours of Lebanese rock formations, shown alongside Lara Tabet’s photographs of urban structures and Caroline Tabet’s scanned water samples from the Lebanese coast, embody and celebrate Lebanon’s natural beauty.
“Through the artists’ interpretations, Lebanon’s breathtaking, almost mythical landscapes unify the exhibition’s overarching themes,” said Khalaf Salhab.
These works are also accompanied by Hymne a L’Amour, a large-scale artistic installation by Alfred Tarazi that weaves together the artist’s own personal heritage with notions of collective memory. Incorporating a selection of inherited craft objects – made from wood, copper and other traditional materials, taken from his family’s 160-year-old Oriental craftsmanship business – in varying states of preservation and decay, paying homage to Tarazi’s deep reverence for Levantine artisanry, and to his parents; Tarazi’s mother was an archaeologist with the National Museum, while his father was a member of the famed Maison Tarazi.
While the situation within Lebanon remains tense for now, the pavilion and its committee remains optimistic, buoyed by both the positive response of Beirutis visiting the new space, and the prospect of future developments. There's hope the centre will host international works and there are already plans for three more Lebanese exhibitions in 2025.
“We are very grateful to all the people that are visiting,” said Salam. “We are so overwhelmed with all their comments about what they are feeling and what they are seeing, and I'm hoping that – now we are in peacetime – we will receive more and more visitors, both from within Lebanon and outside."
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Company%20profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
More on Quran memorisation:
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
FIXTURES
New Zealand v France, second Test
Saturday, 12.35pm (UAE)
Auckland, New Zealand
South Africa v Wales
Sunday, 12.40am (UAE), San Juan, Argentina
