MAR 20 • CONVERSATION Memories of War of War of memories – what Past for what Future?
Memories of War of War of memories, Lebanon,
What Past for What Future?
Next April, Lebanon will mark the 50th anniversary of the civil war's onset. While consensus is rare, April 13, 1975, is largely recognized as the starting point of a conflict that lasted fifteen years and resulted in over 150,000 deaths. On that day, a Palestinian bus was targeted in the Christian neighborhood of Ayn El Remmaneh, near Beirut. Though the event is well-known, the details remain unclear, with contradictory accounts complicating the narrative.
This incident is just one example among many in a war whose history has yet to be comprehensively written. The 1989 Taif Peace Agreement proposed a unified school curriculum to foster national reconciliation, but this goal has never been achieved. As of 2025, history books continue to conclude with Lebanon's 1943 independence. One reason for this is the amnesty law, which allowed warlords to evade justice and return to politics, ensuring their actions would fade from public memory. In the absence of an official historical account, only fragmented and often biased memories survive, passed down through families and communities—memories that can be vengeful and partial. Those who seek to challenge this cycle often find themselves sidelined.
There is a bitter irony in remembering April 13, 1975, as Lebanon faces the consequences of yet another aggression. The nation stands at a critical juncture, confronted with a pressing question: how can a collective future be envisioned without a common understanding of the past?
Join us for an open conversation featuring Marwan Chahine, Tracy Chahwan, and others, moderated by Nour Sabbagh. This collaborative discussion will provide a platform for sharing stories of war, our relationship to memory, and the importance of building a collective future. We invite you to share your perspectives and engage in this evening's dialogue, helping us transition from personal stories to a collective narrative.
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THURSDAY MARCH 20
7PM- 9:30PM
Limited seated capacity
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$5 fee can be redeemed on any item in the store the night of the event