The article reviews an immersive exhibition at the Institut du monde arabe in Paris titled "Byblos, cité millénaire du Liban," which presents over 470 archaeological artifacts from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos in present-day Lebanon. The show features national treasures rarely or never before exhibited outside Lebanon, including stone anchors, statuettes, engraved stelae, gold and silver vessels, and a Roman mosaic depicting the abduction of Europa. The scenography plunges visitors into underwater and subterranean environments, evoking the city's 9,000-year history as a Mediterranean trade and diplomatic hub, its ties with Egyptian pharaohs through cedar wood, and its role in spreading the Phoenician alphabet.
The exhibition matters because it was originally scheduled for 2024 but was delayed due to the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, making its realization nearly miraculous. Some display niches remain empty with the label "Work blocked by war," a poignant reminder of ongoing conflict. The show underscores the fragility of cultural heritage in war zones and the determination of institutions to preserve and share it. By highlighting Byblos's UNESCO World Heritage status and collaborations between the Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities and the Louvre, the exhibition also demonstrates the power of international cooperation in safeguarding ancient history.