Unveiling the Past, Imagining the Future: Three Must-See Exhibitions and Events Opening Today at the Institut du Monde Arabe

Today, the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris invites visitors into an expansive and moving cultural journey with the opening of two new exhibitions and the continuation of a powerful festival program.

Bridging the ancient with the contemporary, the IMA presents a trio of must-see experiences exploring heritage, resilience, and imagination across Lebanon and Palestine.

Running from April 3 to November 2, 2025, “Treasures Saved from Gaza – 5,000 Years of History” offers a rare archaeological window into Gaza’s enduring legacy. The exhibition assembles over 130 significant artifacts, drawn from decades of Franco-Palestinian excavations and the private collection of Jawdat Khoudary, donated in 2018 to the Palestinian Authority. At its heart lies the breathtaking mosaic of Abu Baraqeh, a symbol of Gaza’s once-flourishing artistic and cultural exchanges.

Gaza’s history, often overshadowed by its present-day struggles, is revealed here as a vibrant hub of trade, religion, and civilization, nestled between Egypt, Persia, and the Mediterranean. Visitors will uncover elements of architecture, intricate mosaics, and statues of deities—each whispering the stories of the many cultures that once thrived there. To deepen the experience, guided tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from April 5 to July 20, at 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM.

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Simultaneously, "Photographier le patrimoine du Liban, 1864-1970" showcases rare photographs from the Bibliothèque Orientale of Beirut.

Simultaneously, the IMA launches “Photographing Lebanon’s Heritage, 1864–1970”, on view through January 4, 2026. This evocative exhibition features rare archival photographs from the Bibliothèque Orientale of Beirut, offering a visual exploration of Lebanon’s historical landscape and architectural marvels. From the ruins of Byblos and Baalbek to scenes of everyday life in regions like the Beqaa Valley and Kesrouan, the exhibition captures a Lebanon in flux—one that is modernizing while deeply rooted in memory and tradition.

Together, the two exhibitions form a powerful reflection on heritage—what is saved, what is seen, and what must be remembered.

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But the IMA’s commitment to cultural storytelling doesn’t end there.

Also launching today is the third chapter of its dynamic Lebanese cultural series: “Temps Fort Liban 3/3: Futures of Lebanon.” In partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), this multidisciplinary festival looks ahead—shifting focus from memory and nationhood to visions of Lebanon’s future. Curated in collaboration with filmmaker and journalist Arthur Sarradin and L'Orient-Le Jour, the program features panel discussions, film screenings, literary conversations, concerts, and performances, each designed to amplify contemporary Lebanese voices imagining what comes next.

Building on its two previous editions—Reconstruction of Memories and The Nation—this third and final installment expands the conversation beyond crisis, leaning into possibility. At its core, Futures of Lebanon celebrates the resilience of creative expression as a form of hope, activism, and renewal.

As a whole, these exhibitions and events at the Institut du Monde Arabe serve as both archive and forecast—preserving stories from the past while offering a platform for new ones to be written.

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For more information and to plan your visit, please refer to the IMA's official website, here-

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Cover: 'Equipes Franco-Palestiniennes dans les fouilles de Blakhiyah' /J-B Humbert

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