BEIRUT: Ancient sculptures that were missing for decades after being stolen during Lebanon’s civil war are to go on display in Beirut thanks to a global fight against antiquities smuggling that has been stepped up since wartime looting in Iraq and Syria.
The five marble statues were among a haul of hundreds that Lebanese militiamen took from a storehouse in 1981, some of which are only now emerging onto the shadowy global arts market and even into the world’s greatest museums.
Three of the five sculptures unveiled at a ceremony in Beirut on Friday were spotted in New York’s Metropolitan Museum — where they were on loan from a private collector — by a curator who identified them using the Art Loss Register, an online database of stolen artefacts.
One of the people instrumental in getting them sent back to Lebanon was Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos, an Iraq war veteran who led the investigation into looting at the national museum in Baghdad during the chaos of the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.
Outrage at looting there and in Syria, and fear that art trafficking was funding militant groups, has driven countries to work together to stop it, said Bogdanos, who was in Beirut on Friday for a ceremony to unveil the statues.
“It has resulted in greater attention, greater scrutiny and greater resources, all of which we desperately need in order to fight such an entrenched global network,” Bogdanos, whose office has recovered thousands of stolen antiquities in recent years, told Reuters at the ceremony at Beirut’s National Museum.
One of the other statues was identified last year by a gallery in Germany, which noticed it on the Art Loss Register. The fifth was seized in a container entering Lebanon’s port of Tripoli last month.
Archaeologists excavated all the statues in the 1960s and 1970s in Sidon at the Temple of Eshmoun, a god of healing.
They were carved between the sixth and fourth centuries BC, when Lebanon’s Phoenician civilization was ruled by the Persian empire but influenced by Greek art and culture.
One of the statues, a bull’s head, was from the capital of a pillar in the temple. The other statues, of youths and children, included one dedicated to the temple by fond relatives in thanks for the recovery from illness of their child.
“HERITAGE IS NOT FOR SALE"
They will be added to the Beirut museum’s display of Eshmoun sculptures, which include a complete capital with bull heads facing in each direction and marble statues of babies and children.
Only a handful of more than 500 Eshmoun statues pillaged from the storerooms of Byblos citadel in 1981 have been identified and returned to Lebanon.
“We will put every resource that we have to recover any piece wherever it is and whoever thinks it belongs to him. Our heritage is not for sale,” said Lebanon’s Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury.
Like these pieces, items smuggled from Iraq and Syria may stay hidden for decades before traffickers start selling them to collectors.
“It is rare that we would see anything on the market for 10 or 20 or even 30 years, because they do have the patience. They stockpile these pieces,” said Bogdanos.
The international nature of the trade makes it hard to trace them.
“If you would follow the pieces which we have here, there was a kind of ping-pong between Europe, America, Europe again ... it’s a globalization,” said Rolf Stucky, a Swiss archaeologist who registered many of the looted Eshmoun statues on Art Loss in the 1990s, allowing them to be identified now.
But countries now share information and help train authorities, both in the main markets for stolen artefacts and in the regions from which they come.
Lebanon itself has stopped many foreign pieces from being shipped through Beirut, said Ghattas. As a neighbor of Syria, it is a major route for items looted from there.
“In many respects (smugglers) didn’t have to be smart in their trafficking behavior simply because no countries were cooperating enough, were devoting enough resources to stop it,” said Bogdanos.
“That has all changed.”
Ancient statues return to Lebanon as war on smuggling intensifies
Ancient statues return to Lebanon as war on smuggling intensifies
Saudi actress Maria Bahrawi rings in 2025 with a heartfelt message
- Bahrawi wishes family, friends, fans ‘joy, love, and endless blessings’
- Star of ‘Norah,’ first Saudi movie to premiere at Cannes Film Festival
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia actress Maria Bahrawi, who made history starring in the first movie from the Kingdom to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, “Norah,” welcomed the new year with a heartfelt Instagram post.
“Hello 2025, may this year bring joy, love, and endless blessings to all of us,” the rising star wrote. “Here’s to new beginnings, big dreams, and beautiful memories. Happy New Year.”
The 18-year-old actress, who was born and raised in Jeddah, also highlighted the joy of being surrounded by her sisters, posting a picture with them, but covering their faces to protect their privacy.
“I am happy to be starting 2025 with my sisters around. Your presence is the biggest blessing in my life and the best feeling,” she added.
In her Instagram Stories, she shared a short video reflecting on milestones from 2024. The clip showcased her graduation, appearances at international festivals, and red-carpet moments.
It also had billboards featuring her across city streets, film screenings, interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses from sets and shoots, her birthday, trips to AlUla and attendance at the Red Sea Film Festival.
Bahrawi’s film “Norah,” the debut feature of Saudi Arabia filmmaker Tawfik Alzaidi, premiered in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, which highlights unique storytelling and innovative styles. The film received the Special Mention accolade, honoring its outstanding achievements.
The movie, shot entirely in AlUla, is set in 1990s Saudi Arabia when the professional pursuit of all art, including painting, was frowned upon.
Besides Bahrawi, the movie also stars Yaqoub Al-Farhan and Abdullah Al-Satian. It follows the story of Norah and failed artist Nader as they encourage each other to realize their artistic potential in rural Saudi Arabia.
The movie was backed by the Red Sea Fund — one of the Red Sea Film Foundation’s programs — and was filmed with an all-Saudi cast and a 40 percent Saudi crew.
“I’m living the dream. Inshallah, I’ll reach bigger and higher goals. I have all the opportunities in the world, now it’s up to me to take them,” Bahrawi previously told Arab News while discussing the film.
Disney’s ‘The Magic Box’ to debut in Abu Dhabi in February
DUBAI: Disney fans in Abu Dhabi are in for a treat as “The Magic Box,” an innovative theatrical production celebrating a century of Disney, is set to premiere at the Etihad Arena from Feb. 6 to 15, 2025.
Created and co-written by Felipe Gamba Paredes, the show combines more than 75 Disney songs with immersive visuals and an original narrative.
Gamba, a former Disney executive with over 15 years of experience, describes “The Magic Box” as a “love letter” to the timeless stories and music that have defined generations.
“In creating ‘The Magic Box,’ I wanted audiences to reconnect with their own inner child, and to do so, we chose not to tell one singular story from one single Disney film but instead blend them all into one unforgettable journey to the feelings and joy they triggered when we first saw them,” he told Arab News.
At its core is the tale of Mara, a woman rediscovering her inner child through Disney’s evocative melodies.
The production spans Disney’s vast musical history, featuring songs from as early as 1929 alongside contemporary hits from 2023, which Gamba said was “not an easy task.”
He said: “We spent many months just combing through the catalog. We knew we wanted to curate a collage that would resonate across multiple generations so that everyone would find their emotional place inside our show. Balancing content was important.”
The decision to debut “The Magic Box” in Abu Dhabi is based on the UAE capital’s diverse demographics.
“So, I know our show will feel right at home in Abu Dhabi, which is home to so many diverse cultures and represents such a rich tapestry of humanity,” Gamba said.
Hans Zimmer to perform in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: Multi-Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will perform in Abu Dhabi for the first time on May 31.
The performer will bring his “Hans Zimmer Live” concert to the UAE capital and will perform works from his most iconic soundtracks, including “Interstellar,” “The Lion King,” “Dune,” and more.
“I am very excited to be performing for the first time in the city where ‘Dune Two’ was filmed and served as the inspiration for the score.” said Hans Zimmer, referring to the Denis Villeneuve-directed blockbuster released in 2024.
Zimmer previously performed in Dubai in the summer of 2024.
Zimmer’s musical legacy, marked by the creation of memorable movie scores, secured him two Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards, along with nominations for three Emmys and a Tony.
With an impressive repertoire, he has composed the music for movies like “The Dark Knight,” “Top Gun Maverick,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and most recently “Dune” and “Dune: Part 2” — among other iconic movies.
Ali and Walaa Hennaoui embrace 2025 after Ralph Lauren campaign
DUBAI: Dubai-based influencer couple Ali and Walaa Hennaoui are gearing up for the new year after closing out 2024 on a high note with a Ralph Lauren campaign.
The duo shared an inspiring message on their joint Instagram account, writing: “And to 2025, we say: no matter what you hold, we are ready for you — together. Sky’s the limit, always. Dream big, live boldly, and most importantly—believe in yourself.
“Here’s to a new year, stronger hearts, and endless possibilities. Happy New Year, everyone,” they added.
The couple, who have two children, reflected on their achievements in 2024, including their latest milestone: Starring together in a campaign for US fashion label Ralph Lauren during the festive season.
In a clip shared on their Instagram profile, they are featured aboard a yacht showcasing the brand’s latest collection, which includes clothing, accessories and perfumes. The video shows the couple preparing together on the yacht as it sails through locations such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the region’s landmarks featured prominently in the background.
“Getting ready together…but this time aboard @ralphlauren yacht. Sailing through Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” the post’s caption reads.
Ali was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, with a tailored maroon knit sweater layered over his shoulders. Meanwhile, Walaa donned an off-white, full-sleeved knit sweater with a high neckline, featuring intricate patterns. She paired it with a flowing, pleated off-white maxi skirt, cinched at the waist with a statement brown leather belt that had a bold buckle.
In another image shared on their profile, Ali wore a tailored navy double-breasted blazer paired with a striped shirt and cream linen trousers, while Walaa opted for a navy blazer adorned with an embroidered crest on the chest.
The couple also took the opportunity to share heartfelt reflections on the past year.
“This year, we learned to embrace the beauty of the small things and truly understood the meaning of family first. Through every challenge and every doubt, we found strength in each other, solidifying our love, our marriage, and our smallest, most sacred circle,” they said on Instagram.
The pair share daily updates on family life on their social media feeds, including Instagram and TikTok, and have worked with fashion and homeware brands in the past. They also frequently attend runway presentations by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab, including his recent shows in Paris and Riyadh.
French Algerian animator aims to draw on experiences of peers in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures program
DUBAI: Samia Dzair, a French Algerian animator handpicked by Saudi creative hub Diriyah Art Futures for its inaugural Emerging New Media Artists Program, said she hopes to broaden her horizons as part of the initiative alongside an international cohort of artists.
The year-long program, based in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah in Riyadh, will provide the chosen participants with access to professional equipment and facilities, a production budget, the opportunity to learn from guest lecturers from around the world specializing in new media art, and mentorships.
Dzair told Arab News she intends to use the opportunity to “fully question the various themes I address in my artistic work, such as myths, immigration and uprooting, while at the same time having the chance to produce quality work, with a real budget.”
She will join fellow artists from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, Wales and other countries who were selected for the initiative, and said this varied, international collection of up-and-coming talents was a particularly appealing aspect of the program.
“Being in a group with other artists from different backgrounds is going to be very inspiring,” Dzair said. “We’ll be able to exchange our experiences, our respective world outlooks and inspire one another.”
She will be aiming develop her skills in the field of animation, specifically the 2D and stop-motion varieties, which is something she says she was drawn to as a child.
“My first encounter with art was with animated films,” she said. “I come from a social environment where institutional culture was not very accessible (and) my father used to buy me a lot of cartoons that were sold in tobacconists’ shops, except that they weren’t always animated films for children.
“That’s how I started watching a lot of animated films like ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ which weren’t for my age but which forged my aspirations and my aesthetic,” she added, referring to the 1995 anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii.
She was also attracted to the medium as a creator in part because of the relatively limited resources required for an animation project. While sculptors might require blocks of marble and a set of chisels and other tools, and painters need a studio stocked with shelves of paint and brushes, Dzair said she is able to “make a film all by myself in my room with a camera or a computer, a head full of ideas and a few scraps of paper. I love it.”
She added: “The fact that you can find a-thousand-and-one ways to give an impression of movement, to bring to life an environment, a character, an interaction or an idea is simply fascinating.”
The director graduated from the KASK School of Arts in Belgium before directing two short films — “Soufre” in 2021 and “Le Poids De La Terre En Grammes” in 2022 — and also developed a TV series titled “Blue Weddings” that explores North African lore through its depiction of the ogress Teryel, a fearsome mythological character.
“(The) project … began as an emotional outlet. My quest to understand my family's neuroses and traumas led me to write this project, which originally took the form of a tale. The tale of a subversive woman, an ogress, hated by all, but who symbolizes the anger of an entire land dispossessed of its culture,” Dzair explained.
“Like my protagonist, I grew up in the north of France, and was separated from the land of my elders, and also separated from my mother at a very early age, a mother who grew up during the Algerian civil war, who faced violence and lack of education. Nonetheless she was politicized by her elders and this knowledge made her rebellious and violent because she couldn’t do anything as a ‘third world’ villager and a woman.”
Dzair’s series seeks to use the story of the ogress to explore issues relating to uprooting, war, colonization and capitalism — “what particularly interests me in the tales I refer to is the figure of the angry murdered rebel ogress, which I believe perfectly sums up the resistance shown by Algeria and all formerly colonized African countries,” she said.
