Memory Tree Beirut
Memories of war in a piece of art
This beautiful piece of art is hardly talked about or even known to tourists. It is basically a symbolic cemetery to honor the victims of the famine between 1915 and 1918. During that period, more than half the population died or migrated, and there really wasn’t anything in the city to tell the story of Lebanon’s wars. The only thing that remained as a memory of the famine were the trees, which is why Yazan Halwani, a well known Lebanese artist chose to use a tree as a symbol. There’s an inscription on a plate there that translates something to "As Lebanese, we have a memory loss about the wars that happened and that is why wars keep happening in order to keep reminding us of the past wars".
This artwork was created out of metal and it took over a year and a half to complete. Each leaf forms the words of revered writers that were contemporary with the famine such as Tawfik Yusuf Awwad and Khalil Gibran, whose poem “dead are my people” was dedicated to the famine’s victims!
About this spot
Damascus road, sodeco
- 24 hours daily
LBP
no-price
Find your way with 179 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Beirut
Al Makari Sweets
A disappearing Beiruti dessert
"Al Makari Sweets" in Beirut makes authentic mufata'a dessert. It's hard to make, thus it's hard to find, but they make it like my grandma used to...
by
Najat
Kibbi
Sugar Shake
A hidden shakes destination
At "Sugar Shake" right behind Beit Beirut Museum, you will be served one of the freshest and tastiest smoothies & frozen yogurts you can have in the city!
by
Samira
Ezzo
Le Mikado
My go-to flower shop
"Le Mikado" in Beirut has been providing customers with (dried) flowers and arrangements since the '50s. I just love their display outside the shop...
by
Samira
Ezzo
Kalei
Specialty coffee in Ras Beyrouth
"Kalei" isn't just one of my favorite specialty coffee spots in Beirut - the building it occupies has been around since the 1800s, and you can tell!
by
Samira
Ezzo
Liza
A fancy dining spot
"Liza" in Beirut in the 19th-century palace is the place to go if you want to dine luxuriously with a menu and presentation that are 'lavishly perfect'...
by
Samira
Ezzo
Mansion
20th-century public space
"Mansion" Blatt in Beirut is a 20th-century villa that's been turned into a shared coworking & creative space used by designers, artists, architects & more.
by
Samira
Ezzo
Assabil
My haven away from chaos
My favorite "Assabil" Public Library in Beirut is in Monnot. It's always active with events, whether virtual or real-life ones and full of youth!
by
Samira
Ezzo
Crypt Museum
Underneath a cathedral
An exciting part of this museum is that at some point, if you look up, you'll be looking through a glass ceiling that shows the church right above you.
by
Samira
Ezzo
Garden of Forgiveness
Cardo and Decumanus Maximus
The "Garden of Forgiveness" in Beirut is a vast space that was properly unveiled during excavations after the Civil War. Come observe its beauty & history.
by
Samira
Ezzo
Barzakh Bookshop
Reclaiming Hamra's Identity
"Barzakh Bookshop" in Beirut is the ultimate definition of a hidden gem. It's a cultural melting pot of literary rebels from around the world...
by
Samira
Ezzo
Beit Beirut
Beirut's museum of memory
"Beit Beirut", or the Yellow Building, has been standing since 1924. It survived the Civil War and is now used as a center for exhibitions & events...
by
Samira
Ezzo
L'Artisan du Liban
Souvenir shop made in Lebanon
"L'Artisan du Liban" is a social movement in Beirut that's keeping local art and artisans alive. I usually buy gifts for my locals friends here...
by
Viera
Obeid
Heading to Beirut?
179 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Beirut?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 179 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Beirut
Get to know our other Spotters from Beirut
As featured on:
