The American University of Technology (AUT) in Halat hosted an academic lecture titled “MODERN MATTER: Yesterday’s innovation… today’s heritage”, presented by Dr. Wissam Al Naghi, who shared the findings of his specialized research on the Rachid Karami International Fair in Tripoli.
Dr. El Naghi discussed the motives, objectives, and methodology of his research, highlighting that the Rachid Karami International Fair is one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in Lebanon and the Arab world. Designed in the 1960s by the world-renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the fair was envisioned as an international exhibition and cultural center, yet it remained unfinished and has suffered from neglect over the decades.
His research aimed to shed light on the architectural and historical value of the site as a unique modernist masterpiece in the Middle East. It also involved an analysis of the current structural and technical conditions of the fair to identify damages resulting from years of neglect. Dr. El Naghi adopted a field-based and documentary methodology, studying Niemeyer’s original plans and conducting on-site visits to document the current state of the structures. He also compared the fair with other Niemeyer projects worldwide and conducted interviews with architectural and heritage experts, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO.
The study concluded that the Rachid Karami International Fair is an architectural gem that harmoniously combines geometric simplicity and cultural symbolism. However, it faces serious structural deterioration due to natural factors and the absence of maintenance. Dr. El Naghi called for protection and revitalization efforts, encouraging public-private partnerships to secure funding and restore activities at the site. He also recommended involving local communities and universities in adaptive reuse projects, such as transforming the fair into an art center or a museum of architectural design, while
preserving Niemeyer’s original modernist vision.
Dr. El Naghi concluded by emphasizing the importance of protecting Lebanon’s modern architectural heritage, particularly in Tripoli. He reminded the audience that Lebanon, often called the “Switzerland of the East,” holds remarkable architectural treasures that deserve preservation, stressing that the Rachid Karami International Fair is not merely an abandoned site, but a symbol of Lebanese identity and a vital opportunity to revive tourism in the North.
