Lebanon Museum Exhibits Keys to Destroyed Homes

Fatima Hajj Ali, a resident of south Lebanon, wept while viewing an exhibit in Beirut’s Beit Beirut museum featuring keys symbolizing homes destroyed by Israel. The exhibition, “Hkeeli ya Jnoub” (“Tell me, O South”), displays photographs, videos, and art installations documenting the impact of recent conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in 2023 and escalated in March.

The exhibit includes “Keys Without Homes,” a project showcasing videos of southern Lebanese residents who have kept the keys to their destroyed houses, mirroring a longstanding Palestinian tradition. Artist Adeeb Farhat conceived the idea during the 2024 war, fearing for his own home.

Other installations recreate scenes of daily life and display personal memories of the south. A technical issue blurred some images, creating a dreamlike effect for viewers. The exhibit aims to preserve the memory of southern Lebanon and offer a space for connection to the land.