BEIRUT - The Ministry of Culture and the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to strengthen cooperation in culture, education and community development, with a particular focus on initiatives linked to Sidon’s designation as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2027.
The MoU was signed at the National Library in Sanayeh, Beirut, by Minister of Culture Dr. Ghassan Salame and Mrs. Bahia Hariri, President of the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development.
Mrs. Hariri Highlights Sidon’s 2027 Role
Speaking at the signing, Mrs. Bahia Hariri thanked Minister Salame for his efforts and continued support for Sidon’s nomination as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.
Mrs. Hariri recalled that the nomination was discussed during an initial meeting with Minister Salame a year earlier, after which the nomination file was prepared and submitted within a month with the Ministry’s support.
She said the designation should serve as the basis for sustained activity rather than being limited to events during 2027.
Mrs. Hariri said the next challenge was to establish mechanisms that would translate the designation into broader activity across Sidon and contribute to cultural development at the national level.
She described the designation as the result of years of work to highlight Sidon’s historical and archaeological significance and its role as a Mediterranean coastal city. She said the 2027 program should include not only cultural activities but also documentation and renewed research into the city’s history and its role in the Mediterranean.
Minister Salame Calls for Long-Term Projects
Minister Salame said Sidon’s selection as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2027 was the result of joint efforts by the Ministry of Culture, Sidon Municipality and the Hariri Foundation.
He described the designation as the beginning of a more demanding phase focused on implementation.
“2027 must be a year of sustainable and diverse cultural achievements in Sidon,” Minister Salame said.
He added that work had already begun, noting that he had asked the Directorate General of Antiquities to allocate an urgent budget for work related to archaeological buildings and their preservation and visibility.
According to Minister Salame, the program will extend beyond temporary cultural events in music, literature and the arts. It will also seek to highlight and develop the city itself through sustainable projects.
He stressed that this work cannot be carried out solely from the Ministry’s offices in Beirut, but must take place on the ground in cooperation with Sidon’s residents, civil society organizations and municipality.
MoU Sets Framework for Cooperation
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Hariri Foundation through the development and implementation of joint initiatives, activities, programs and projects serving the community and supporting cultural and educational development.
The agreement also covers support for cultural initiatives, creativity, dialogue and community participation; youth empowerment and capacity-building programs; active citizenship and digital participation; and the exchange of expertise and best practices.
The two sides will also explore opportunities for cooperation with national, regional and international institutions.
Focus on Sidon’s 2027 Cultural Program
Under the agreement, cooperation will include supporting cultural and artistic initiatives connected to Sidon’s year as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue in 2027.
The partnership will also cover the preparation and implementation of cultural, artistic, educational and awareness-raising activities, as well as initiatives encouraging community participation.
The MoU provides for conferences and workshops, alongside efforts to strengthen digital participation and development-oriented media coverage of cultural issues.
The agreement is intended to support the development of a broader program around Sidon’s 2027 designation while establishing cooperation between the Ministry and the Hariri Foundation beyond the events of the year itself.
