Plans to demolish Tripoli Art House: Hand of terror affects Libyan culture

Amira Sherif

Terrorist groups around the world distort and corrupt vital landmarks, especially heritage sites, in countries witnessing conflicts. Just as Yemen witnessed the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia distort the country’s heritage, Libya is now witnessing the same scenario by the terrorist organizations scattered throughout the war-torn nation. In a new attempt to impose their presence on the Libyan arena, terrorist militias launched calls to demolish the famous Art House in Tripoli, in an explicit targeting of Libya’s cultural milieu.

This comes in conjunction with the head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba, inaugurating the art exhibition of artist Al-Ajili Al-Obeidi on the sidelines of his visit to the Art House at the invitation of a group of artists and intellectuals in response to their appeal to protect it.

During the visit, Dabaiba, who was accompanied by Culture Minister Mabrouka Aoki, met a number of activists, writers and intellectuals, as he learned about the history of the Art House’s establishment and the size of the contribution it made to strengthen Libya’s cultural and artistic role by hosting more than 600 local and international exhibitions, which in turn attracted the attention of local and international organizations.

The prime minister also expressed the need for a return to cultural activity and its advancement, especially since artists are considered ambassadors for the country, practicing a common language among peoples and representing a unique communication tool with other societies.

A number of artists, intellectuals and activists who were present at the event called for GNU to support culture and its pioneers, as well as provide support for cultural facilities throughout Libya, especially the Art House in Tripoli, which is considered one of the most prominent art spaces in Libya.

The calls made by the Tripoli-based World Islamic Call Society have spread fear within the Libyan cultural milieu, especially the fine arts sector, as it has targeted one of the most important Libyan cultural institutions, the Art House, which was founded in 1993 and has hosted many artistic events and exhibitions for pioneers of fine art, in addition to other cultural activities such as poetry evenings and intellectual seminars.

In an effort to protect the Art House from threats of terrorism, activists and intellectuals launched the hashtag “Save the Art House”.

The Libyan Association of Fine Arts said in a statement that “at a time when states support, contribute and are proud of the antiquity and history of their cultural institutions as a civilized façade, we find them in our country closing galleries, theaters and bookshops, until the matter came to thinking about demolishing the old Art House, an institution that has been for many decades a safe space for all creative people in the various fields of culture and arts.”

For its part, the GNU’s Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development on Sunday assured that the Libyan cultural center will not be harmed.

The ministry announced in a statement that it had opened communication channels with the World Islamic Call Society and other institutions with the aim of full coordination to preserve the cultural, artistic and heritage monuments in a way that enhances the intellectual and cultural wealth of Libya.

According to media reports, Libyan writer and novelist Mansour Bouchnaf described the decision to threaten to demolish the Art House as a “tribal flood and desertification plundering all its wealth related to Libyan culture and arts.”

Bouchnaf said that this decision “threatens destruction and heralds an era of a culture of murder, throwing bodies in dumps, and burning books and musical instruments.”

Libyan fine artist Ali al-Abani wrote on his Facebook page that the Art House has “opened its doors to artists and intellectuals, turning into an unparalleled forum in a city where forums and gatherings are absent, until today someone comes who cannot stand seeing beauty, because it provokes his own ugliness and hostility towards everything that is beautiful, to ambush the highest values of freedom and joy in life.”

Abani added, “Unfortunately, our country has lost everything that would achieve freedom and inspire hope and reassurance in the souls,” noting that the Art House is “a meeting place for fine artists, writers, and intellectuals, and it represents the country’s cultural front and an icon from which we look to the highest dreams.”

For her part, the Libyan fine artist Souad al-Aba said, “Save the Art House. It is painful that I heard that the house will be demolished, which is an artistic, literary and cultural landmark in our beloved capital, Tripoli.”

This comes in conjunction with the political process and the new government, headed by Dabaiba, taking over the reins until presidential elections are held in December 2021.

It is worth noting that in recent years, there have been frequent seizures by groups and individuals who smuggle archaeological artifacts, usually selling them for less than the real price.