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ArtLebanonEvents

by Alexandra Mansilla

We Design Beirut — Edition Two: When, Where, What, And Why

18 Jun 2025

Abroyan Factory. Photo: courtesy of Union Marks

To be completely honest, we started eagerly awaiting the second edition of We Design Beirut the very moment the first one ended — quite literally pestering the team for the next dates. The first We Design Beirut took place on May 23–26, 2024, and it was a total sensation, drawing over 10,000 visitors. Knowing the challenging conditions under which WDB was created, and how a small group of incredibly talented people brought this ambitious project to life, we openly share our admiration — trust us, it is truly something you need to see for yourself.
This year, WDB will run from October 22–26, 2025.
So, every art event has a word that tries to define it. But how would we describe We Design Beirut? It is definitely not a design week (it doesn’t last seven days!), and even if it did, the word "week" is just too limited for a project like this. Is it an exhibition? No. Is it simply an event? No, that is not quite right either.
It is an experience.
Every single moment you spend at WDB is precious — an experience unlike any other you have ever encountered or will find elsewhere. You must see it, hear it, and feel it: in every goosebump of excitement that runs across your skin, and in every tear of joy that might roll down your cheek.
They call themselves WE — because at its heart, this project is about the people of Lebanon. We Design Beirut is about connection. It brings people together — artisans, craftspeople, designers, students from across universities, and anyone inspired by creativity — to share ideas, collaborate, and create something truly meaningful.
Mariana Wehbe, the founder, explains, "We thought: 'Why don’t we just call it We? We, the people — we keep coming back, we stay.' It has always been about the Lebanese people. It's never been about the government; it has always been about the individuals, the NGOs, the students, the youth. That's what We Design Beirut stands for.”
But alright, let’s move on to what awaits you this year — because honestly, we could keep writing about this project forever.
This year, Edition Two is all about celebrating Lebanon’s rich cultural roots — from its architecture and crafts to its music and traditions. It is about giving new life to the old, while still honouring where it all came from.
After decades of conflict and loss, We Design Beirut is helping spark a cultural revival — shining a light on what makes Lebanon truly special. From restoring historic buildings to reimagining forgotten crafts, the design community is helping write a new chapter in Lebanon’s story.
This year’s edition features five exhibitions and eight key locations.
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Abroyan Factory. Photo: courtesy of Union Marks

Abroyan Factory

At the historic Abroyan Factory, two exhibitions will shine a spotlight on Lebanon’s deep-rooted craftsmanship:
— Threads of Life celebrates textile artistry in all its beauty — woven histories, hand-sewn memories, and cultural texture.
— Métiers d’Art turns the space into a living atelier, where artisans team up with leading designers to push the limits of materials, techniques, and form.

Burj El Murr — Design 'In' Conflict

At the once-forgotten Burj El Murr, now activated through design, the Design ‘In’ Conflict student exhibition takes centre stage. Curated by Archifeed’s Teymour Khoury and Yasmina Mahmoud (with Tarek Mahmoud and Youssef Bassil), this show explores how conflict shapes space and thought through the work of students from seven Lebanese universities.
There is something powerful about being inside this brutalist monument, long silenced by history, now filled with the voices and visions of a new generation.
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Source: wmf.org

Heneine Palace — Reopens After 35 Years

Closed to the public for more than 35 years, Heneine Palace reawakens with site-specific installations and storytelling.
Stepping inside feels like entering a forgotten dream, dusted with history and wrapped in mystery. Few places carry this kind of quiet majesty. For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Roman Baths — Of Water and Stone

At the Roman Baths, the Marble Design Exhibition titled "Of Water and Stone" (curated by Nour Osseiran and sponsored by Stones by Rania Malli) reflects on ancient rituals of cleansing and connection, interpreted through contemporary design.
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Villa Audi. Photo: Walid Rachid

Villa Audi — Present Meets Absent

Curated by Gregory Gatserelia, “Totems of the Present and the Absent” pays tribute to the iconic SMO Gallery, founded by Gatserelia himself — a space that helped shape and spotlight some of Lebanon’s greatest design voices.
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Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli. Photo: Wassim Naghi

Design beyond Beirut — Excursions to Tripoli & Baalbek

We Design Beirut expands beyond the city with special trips:
— In Tripoli, visit the International Fair — Oscar Niemeyer’s largest project outside Brazil — and join a panel exploring its cultural importance and future potential. There are few places like this in the world — and even fewer where you get to sit among the concrete curves and reimagine what could be.
— In Baalbek, a talk on design unfolds in one of the world’s most iconic Roman temples. Let that sink in: a modern design conversation held where emperors once walked.
And before we wrap up, let’s remember the three pillars that really define what We Design Beirut is all about: empowerment, preservation, and sustainability.
It supports creative communities, protects cultural heritage, and encourages thoughtful, lasting design. A project shaped by people, stories, and the belief that design can quietly and meaningfully improve the way we live.