By Lynn Abou Hamzeh | Staff Writer
The Rachid Karami International Fair (RKIF) has simultaneously been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List (on January 25th, 2023) and the List of World Heritage in Danger. This important cultural landmark, located in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, was constructed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1962. It was designed to host an international fair that could welcome up to 2 million visitors annually, featuring a grand exhibition hall, a national pavilion, and an outdoor concert stage.
This site stands as a representation of the architectural advancement of Lebanon during the mid-20th century and the cultural ties between Lebanon and Brazil. Unfortunately, the fair has been greatly ignored and deserted for many years. Despite the significant efforts and resources invested in the development of the Rachid Karami International Fair, the project in its early stages was faced with numerous setbacks that ultimately resulted in its abandonment. The fair was unfortunately never put to use, mainly due to the outbreak of Lebanon’s civil war. The war, which lasted for 15 years between 1975 and 1990, led to political instability and social unrest in the country.
The Rachid Karami International Fair was occupied by Palestinian militias and the Syrian Army during this period, which left the progression of the project at a standstill. The fairgrounds were used as military bases, and the infrastructure suffered significant damage as a result of the conflict. This ultimately led to the complete neglect of the site, and the once-promising project became a haunting reminder of a time of unrest in Lebanon’s history. The fairgrounds were left abandoned for decades, left to decay and fall into disrepair, further exacerbated by the lack of maintenance and financial assistance for their restoration.
The Rachid Karami International Fair remains a symbol of mid-20th-century modernization in the Lebanese architectural landscape, and having been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site adds to its significance and the need to allocate the proper funds for its restoration and maintenance.
The fear is that the site’s deterioration may reach a point where the restoration and redevelopment of the fairgrounds are no longer possible. The potential collapse of the Rachid Karami International Fair would result in the permanent loss of a significant historical and cultural landmark, not just for the people of Tripoli and Lebanon but for humanity.