Mar Mikhael, one of the neighborhoods most devastated during the Beirut Port explosion, has been the center of various humanitarian initiatives and fundraisers since August 4th.
One of those will take place this week; an online auction of a variety of artwork titled “Art Li Beirut” that will raise funds for the initiative “Revive Mar Mikhael.”
The auction will feature 70 pieces of art by more than 50 Lebanese and foreign artists on the online bidding platform Artscoops.
Featured artists include Raouf Rifai (Lebanese), Anas Homsi (Syrian), Ghazi Baker (Lebanese), Helen Zughaib (Lebanese-American), Sandra Detourbet (French), Claire
Wiltsher (British), Ahmed Farid (Egyptian), and numerous others.
Revive Mar Mikhael is a nonprofit initiative that was launched by a group of entrepreneurs in Lebanon and abroad. It has been helping affected families and micro-businesses since the port explosion through emotional and financial support.
Its mission focuses on “reviving souls and spreading hope,” as well as rebuilding homes in blast-stricken Beirut, particularly Mar Mikhael, which is home to thousands of people who were significantly affected by the tragic explosion.
Their charitable activities have included helping clean and rebuild destroyed apartments, covering the expenses of medication for elderly citizens, and directly giving out donations to the owners of small businesses affected by the blast.
“Mar Mikhael symbolizes the heart of Beirut, the place where memories are built. This beautiful area is in itself an artistic piece of Lebanon: it has preserved the heritage of Beirut as well as the social tissue,” Joanne Habchi, Marketing Manager for Revive Mar Mikhael and Art Li Beirut, told The961.
Habchi said that the team of Revive Mar Mikhail has been overwhelmed with joy by the positive feedback and support from the artists and galleries willing to participate in the upcoming auction.
“People recognize the need on the ground, and they are very eager to help in any way possible. The key challenge now is to get the word out and maximize the funds in order to make the most impactful initiatives on the ground,” she added.
The arts are already displayed online at Art Li Beirut, which auction will run from Tuesday, October 27th, 12 PM Beirut time, until November 5th.
This is an exciting opportunity for art lovers to acquire beautiful artwork while supporting the efforts to revive this important area of Beirut and its heritage and lifestyle.
