In the heart of Beirut, the Sursock Museum opens its doors to a stirring new chapter of Arab cultural heritage with the arrival of the exhibition DIVAS: From Oum Kalthoum to Dalida. Having travelled from Paris, Amsterdam, and Amman, this showcase now brings the voices, images, and legacies of the Arab world’s most iconic female singers and actresses to Lebanon.
From the stage presence of Oum Kalthoum and Fairuz to the daring screen roles of Dalida and Warda al-Jazairia, this exhibition traces how these women didn’t simply entertain — they shaped identity, challenged social norms, and created expressive spaces for Arab women in film, music, and beyond.
A Homecoming for Icons
Beirut has long been a crossroads of art, music, and cinema in the Arab world. To host this exhibition here is more than a venue change — it’s a homecoming. For many of these divas, Beirut was a space of creative collaboration, musical recording, live performance, and cultural exchange. Seeing their memories revived in the city’s modern art landmark gives new emotional depth to their legacy.
More Than Memorabilia
Walking through the exhibition halls, visitors encounter a mixture of photographs, dazzling costumes, archival film clips, vinyl records, and immersive installations. Each artifact tells two stories: the individual career of the diva and the broader social story of Arab women’s public presence over the 20th century.
Visually, the display balances glamour with gravitas. On one wall, you might see a sparkling stage dress; on the next, the headline of a 1950s magazine proclaiming the changing role of women in the Arab world. This blend of style and substance makes the exhibition deeply compelling.
Legacy and Relevance
Why revisit these figures now? Because their relevance remains undiminished. The exhibition shows how these women navigated between tradition and modernity — how they connected Cairo to Beirut, the Maghreb to Paris, radio to cinema. Their stories remain vital to ongoing conversations about identity, feminism, and cultural nationalism.
For younger generations, the appeal goes further. Music producers and remix artists have long sampled Oum Kalthoum and Asmahan, bringing their legacy into club culture and the digital sphere. The exhibition bridges eras, inviting older audiences to remember and younger ones to discover.
Cultural Renewal Amid Challenge
In recent years, Beirut’s cultural institutions have faced trials — economic difficulties, infrastructure challenges, and social tensions. This exhibition stands as a statement of resilience and hope: that art, memory, and heritage still matter. The Sursock Museum’s decision to host DIVAS reaffirms that, even in uncertain times, Beirut remains a hub of creativity and cultural exchange.
Visitor Info & Invitation
Location: Sursock Museum, Beirut
Dates: 17 October 2025 – 11 January 2026
Whether you are drawn by star power, gender history, music, or film, this exhibition offers a rich and emotional experience. Plan to linger, listen, and reflect — to rediscover the women who gave voice to an era.
