04:30Lebanon: 'It warms our hearts' - Tripoli residents on Rachid Karameh Intl Fair's recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tripoli residents reacted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) decision to add the Rachid Karameh International Exhibition Centre to the World Heritage list.
Footage filmed on Tuesday features the fairground designed by late Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, in the country's northern city. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it was designed to house a permanent international fair capable of accommodating up to 2 million visitors a year. However, the construction of the site ended with the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990).
"It [the decision] warms our hearts. I heard of it yesterday and was very happy," one of the residents said.
Another respondent mentioned that people in Tripoli were 'very happy with this decision,' adding "As we all know, Rashid Karami International Fair is one of the most important exhibitions in the Middle East."
The declaration is expected to allow the site to access technical and financial assistance from the body.
The local government previously promised to restore the exhibition, given its importance, but there has been no action so far, according to the region's cultural association.
"According to what has been previously decided by the Council of Ministers, this Exhibition was meant to be the centre of all Lebanese exhibitions, but unfortunately, the decision wasn't implemented", said Ramez Al-Fari, Head of the Cultural Association in Tripoli.
04:30Tripoli residents reacted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) decision to add the Rachid Karameh International Exhibition Centre to the World Heritage list.
Footage filmed on Tuesday features the fairground designed by late Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, in the country's northern city. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it was designed to house a permanent international fair capable of accommodating up to 2 million visitors a year. However, the construction of the site ended with the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990).
"It [the decision] warms our hearts. I heard of it yesterday and was very happy," one of the residents said.
Another respondent mentioned that people in Tripoli were 'very happy with this decision,' adding "As we all know, Rashid Karami International Fair is one of the most important exhibitions in the Middle East."
The declaration is expected to allow the site to access technical and financial assistance from the body.
The local government previously promised to restore the exhibition, given its importance, but there has been no action so far, according to the region's cultural association.
"According to what has been previously decided by the Council of Ministers, this Exhibition was meant to be the centre of all Lebanese exhibitions, but unfortunately, the decision wasn't implemented", said Ramez Al-Fari, Head of the Cultural Association in Tripoli.