On April 13, 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Lebanese civil war, a conflict that deeply marked Lebanon and whose repercussions are still felt today. This moment of commemoration invites to an in -depth reflection on the complex dynamics which shaped this war, both internally, with intercommunity struggles exacerbated by historical inequalities and the influx of refugees, and external, with the involvement of regional and international actors with divergent interests. This article explores the roots and implications of the conflict, as well as the lessons to be learned to build a more peaceful future. In a country where diversity is both wealth and a source of tensions, the question of peaceful coexistence seems more relevant than ever.
Category: History
Fifty years after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war, Lebanon is a turning point, faced with the lasting impact of this conflict on its young generations. The war, which started on April 13, 1975 in Beirut, not only redefined the geopolitics of the region, but also deeply affected Lebanese socio -culture. The country struggles to transmit a coherent collective memory of these traumatic events, in particular through an education system which avoids approaching this complex period. Family stories, often biased by subjective experiences, do not facilitate a constructive dialogue either. However, initiatives such as “Fighters for Peace” are trying to initiate reflection around these unwanted injuries and to encourage inter -community reconciliation. At a time when young people are faced with a heavy heritage and the dangers of indoctrination, crucial questions are emerging: how to build a future based on lessons from the past and a shared conscience of the errors made?
The recent Documentary of National Geographic is interested in the digital renaissance of a famous liner, thus exploring the tragic events of its sinking through the prism of advanced technology. Through the use of more than 700,000 underwater images, this ambitious project not only questions established historical stories, but also raises crucial questions concerning the conservation of cultural heritage and ethical responsibilities linked to maritime exploration. By proposing a reassessment of the circumstances that led to this disaster, the documentary invites us to reflect on how technology can enrich our understanding of the past while respecting its memory. In a context where disinformation is omnipresent, this effort is essential to encourage a rigorous and enlightened narration of tragic maritime events, and to stimulate a broader awareness of the challenges of history.
In Walikale, the shy light of a return to life is accompanied by the persistent shadows of the occupation. After fifteen days of terror, the inhabitants timidly resume possession of the city, but the insecurity scars remain. Between hope of normality and disillusionment in the face of the reality of a chaotic administration, the population is found to juggle their trauma while seeking to rebuild a social fabric. Manipulated by wrestling forces, Walikale sails between tumultuous past and requirements of an uncertain future, leaving its inhabitants in the face of the crucial question: how to move forward without real governance?
** Nyamirambo: Muslim resistance at the heart of the Rwandan genocide **
In the shadow of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, where violence seemed inexorable, an act of silent bravery emerged from the Nyamirambo district in Kigali. The Muslim community, often marginalized, challenged horror by protecting lives, highlighting humanist values that transcended religious cleavages. The courageous resistance of these inhabitants, guided by imams preaching peace, illustrates how faith can lead to gestures of compassion even in the darkest moments in history.
This memory persists in Nyamirambo, celebrated as a model inheritance of solidarity in the face of injustice. The Rwandan government has recognized this commitment by commemorative initiatives, stressing the importance of these heroic acts for future generations. Echoing other conflicts around the world, this story recalls that even in darkness, glue of humanity can arise. The legacy of Nyamirambo is not only a reminder of the past, but a call for unity and peace in an often divided world. The voices of journalists and historians are essential to preserve this memory, so that humanity can remember the acts of courage that nourish hope.
### A time trip: rediscovery of Gaza’s cultural treasures
The exhibition “Sauvés saved de Gaza” at the Institute of the Arab World (IMA) in Paris constitutes an immersion in the history of a region often perceived through the prism of conflicts. By exhibiting artefacts like Byzantine mosaics and amphorae, the IMA reminds us of the richness of a cultural heritage which is spread over more than 5,000 years, while testifying to the resilience of a people in the face of adversity.
These objects, true witnesses of a flourishing past, evoke the commercial dynamics which anima Gaza over the centuries, contrasting with the modern tragedies which afflict it. By highlighting the notion of “cultural resistance”, the exhibition stresses that art can serve as a rampart in the face of forgetting and oppression, making Gaza not only a symbol of struggle, but also a bastion of creativity and identity.
With more than 70 % of the historic objects in Threatened Palestine, this exhibition represents a call for the preservation of our common heritage. It requires redefining Gaza as a place of vibrant history, inviting the world to recognize and defend the cultural treasures which, beyond the museum walls, constitute an essential part of our quest for peace and inclusiveness.
** Madagascar: The heritage of the 1947 insurrection at the dawn of a new century **
On March 29, 2025 will mark the 78th anniversary of the Malagasy insurgency against French colonization, a crucial stage which still resonates today in the struggles for social justice and the recognition of historical rights. This tragic event, although carrying a spirit of resistance, leaves a heavy footprint in the collective memory of the Malagasy, exacerbated by inequalities that are always present. Through the poignant account of Miarina, a young Malagasy, we note that the memory of the insurrection is both celebrated and instrumentalized, raising questions about political manipulation and the true meaning of the struggle for dignity. Globally, parrals can be traced with contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter, where the heirs of oppressed demand justice and equality. The 1947 insurgency should not only be regarded as a tragedy, but as a call for action to build a future inclusive, by honoring the past while working to correct the present injustices.
Why does the great wall of Benin City deserve a central place in the African architectural heritage?
### Rediscover the great wall of Benin City: a monument to the African heritage
The great wall of Benin City, often overlooked, turns out to be an engineering masterpiece and a powerful symbol of the African heritage. Erected in the 15th century by the Edo people, this impressive structure extends over more than 16,000 kilometers, testifying to artisanal know-how and a mastery of materials that compete with those of emblematic constructions such as the Pyramids of Egypt. Unfortunately, its importance has often been ignored in historical stories, largely because of the colonial perceptions which distorted the true richness of African civilizations.
Today, recognition of the Great Wall by UNESCO and other bodies highlights an increasing desire to reassess African contributions to World Heritage. More than just historical rehabilitation, rediscovering this wall opens the way to rewarding cultural exchanges and a celebration of diversity. It embodies the resilience of African peoples in the face of stereotypes, echoing contemporary struggles for cultural recognition.
By raising the voice of this architectural wonder, we transform our understanding of history and weaves bridges of understanding and creativity around the world. The Great Wall of Benin City is not just a vestige of the past: it is a living monument that calls us to honor and integrate all cultures in the collective story of humanity.
** Argentina: Declassification of archives, a step towards reconciliation? **
On March 24, 2025, Buenos Aires was the scene of an immense demonstration commemorating the 49th anniversary of the 1976 military coup. The event took a particular dimension with the announcement of the declassification of the military archives by President Javier Milei, promising a long-awaited transparency on the atrocities of the dictatorship (1976-1983). This gesture raises questions about Argentina’s ability to face its past, especially in a tense political context where the government is accused of diverting attention from economic and social crises. The emblematic figures of the struggle of human rights, like mothers and grandmothers in the May Place, continue to recall that the quest for truth goes beyond simple declassification, inviting society to a collective commitment to a living memory. While Argentina wonders about its future, could this historic turning point really promote reconciliation, or is it a simple symbol without concrete consequence?
** The memory of Casablanca: a museum at the heart of urban and social changes **
On February 27, Casablanca inaugurated its memory museum, nestled in the splendid villa Carl Ficke, a silent witness to the city’s urban and social transformations since the beginning of the 20th century. This new cultural space offers a fascinating immersion in the history of this Moroccan metropolis, through an exhibition of photographs, archives and works revealing the intercultural exchanges that have shaped it.
While nearly 60 % of its population lives today in informal urban areas, the museum encourages a reflection on the challenges of urbanization and the evolution of Casablanca identity. By combining preservation of heritage and modernity, this institution aspires to become a crossroads of exchanges for future generations and a reflection of local specificities in a globalized world. More than a simple place of exhibitions, the Museum of Memory asserts itself as a headlight of hope, lighting the path to an in -depth understanding of the roots and mutations of Casablanca.