The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized an exhibition, titled “Peace by Piece”, showcasing 5 artworks damaged in the Beirut blast, which were taken from 3 villas in the Sursock district and refurbished by Italian restorers Ms. Veronica Tronconi and Ms. Arianna Buffagni, in the USEK laboratories.

This event, hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Department of Conservation, Restoration of Cultural Property and Sacred Art, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Nicoletta Bombardiere, Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon, took place on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., at the USEK Archeological Museum.

This exhibition aimed to shed light on the restoration of valuable artworks and of the cultural heritage damaged by the Beirut 2020 blast, as part of a cooperation agreement (Project SOAB) concluded between the University of Urbino, the Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut, and USEK.

The restored artworks are detailed below:

• Two oil on canvas paintings from Villa Sursock attributed respectively to Vaccaro Andrea and Ribera;
• Panorama Astratto, an oil painting from Villa Rayes;
• Paesaggio Campestre, an oil painting from Villa Slim;
  Saint, a polychrome wooden sculpture from Villa Slim.

Carried out at the USEK laboratories, the restoration of these artworks gave the students enrolled in the Conservation, Restoration of Cultural Property and Sacred Art program the opportunity to follow courses with the restorers and acquire hands-on experience by engaging in practical restoration work.

PROGRAM

• Opening speech
• Speech of Prof. Laura Baratin, University of Urbino
• PPT presentation by Italian restorers Veronica Tronconi and Arianna Buffagni
• Speech of Fr. Talal Hachem, President of USEK
• Speech of H.E. Ms. Nicoletta Bombardiere, Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon

The exhibition opened its doors till December 22, 2022.