Following the two explosions of August 4th, 2020 that devastated Beirut (Lebanon), a UNESCO Creative City of Literature since 2019, the Secretariat of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network launched an appeal to its member cities to collect their actions carried out or envisaged in support of Beirut and its inhabitants.
To the date, 18 Creative Cities around the world have thus shared their solidarity initiatives.
Many cities, including Krakow (Poland), Dunedin (New Zealand), Enghien-les-Bains (France), João Pessoa (Brazil), Limoges (France), Metz (France), Montreal (Canada), Sharjah (Emirates Arab Emirates), Saint-Etienne (France) and Zahlé (Lebanon) have mobilized by encouraging donations as part of fundraising or basic equipment, and by setting up, in collaboration with NGOs or associations local communities, sending emergency humanitarian aid to the area.
Other cities, such as Afyonkarahisar (Turkey), Barcelona (Spain) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kazan (Russian Federation) and Ramallah (Palestine) have transmitted, through their local authorities, a message of solidarity and support to the city of Beirut and its citizens.
The power of culture and creativity has also been used to provide support and moral support, as in Lliria (Spain) which organized a support concert, in Lillehammer (Norway) which organized an exhibition of books. presenting the history and culture of Lebanon.
UNESCO has also launched an international appeal for funds, titled Li Beirut (“For Beirut” in Arabic), to support culture, heritage, and education in the city. Creative Cities and other cities around the world are encouraged to participate.
In Angoulême, many actions were put in place, during the Francophone Film Festival (FFA) on August 31, 2020 Lebanon was honored, a special projection during the festival took place, a support concert, an exhibition and a raffle were also organized by the city. The city also carried the flag of the liban at half-mast over its belfry.
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