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Lebanon is rehabilitating the historic Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut
Lebanon is rehabilitating the historic Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
Lebanon is witnessing a cultural revival as efforts are underway to restore the historic Le Colisée Cinema in Beirut.
The Tiro Association for Arts and Istanbouli Theater have launched a rehabilitation project aimed at transforming the once-iconic venue into the Lebanese National Theater in Beirut, an independent and free cultural space.
The initiative follows the successful reopening of closed cinemas in the north and south of Lebanon, repurposing them as artistic and community hubs. The Lebanese National Theater in Beirut will host workshops, festivals, and artistic performances while also featuring a public library and an artistic café.
Actor and director Kassem Istanbouli, founder of the Lebanese National Theater, emphasized the significance of the project in uniting different regions of Lebanon through the arts.
"The goal of the project is to establish a link between the south, the north, and Beirut, as it is a complement to our dream, which began with the establishment of the Lebanese National Theater in Tyre seven years ago, which is the first free theater and cinema in Lebanon. Thanks to the efforts of young volunteers, we will achieve our dream that art is a right for all, break the virtual wall between the Lebanese regions through the arts, and link them together through cultural spaces," he said.
Highlighting Beirut’s historical role in Lebanon’s cinematic landscape, he added, "We are happy to live this dream in Beirut, which is considered the second-most cinematic city in the history of Lebanon. About 29 halls were located in Al-Burj Square and 16 halls in the Hamra area. That’s where many theatres were founded and witnessed by the most important playwrights in Lebanon and the world."
The Tiro Association for Arts (TAA), a volunteer-led initiative, has been at the forefront of cultural restoration in Lebanon. The group previously renovated Al Hamra and Stars Cinema in Nabatieh, Rivoli Cinema in Tyre—now home to the Lebanese National Theater—and Empire Cinema in Tripoli, which also became a National Theater. TAA is dedicated to creating independent cultural spaces, offering artistic training workshops for children and youth, hosting festivals and exhibitions, and screening films, including productions for the visually and hearing impaired.
In addition, the organization has fostered partnerships with international festivals, providing young directors with a platform to showcase their work. It also curates a variety of artistic and educational film screenings, helping audiences engage with both local and global cinema.
TAA has been instrumental in organizing major cultural events, including the Lebanese International Theater Festival, the Tripoli International Theater Festival, the Tyre International Music Festival, and the Tiro International Arts Festival. Other initiatives include storytelling, fine arts, contemporary dance, and mobile cinema festivals, all of which aim to nurture Lebanon’s artistic landscape and expand access to the arts.
Through the restoration of Le Colisée Cinema, Beirut is set to regain a significant piece of its cultural history, reinforcing the role of independent artistic spaces in Lebanon’s social and creative fabric.
