Yesterday marked the opening of the photo exhibition “20 Years for Freedom”, organized by the Samir Kassir Foundation as part of the Beirut Spring Festival. The exhibition brings together the work of eight Lebanese photojournalists – Tamara Saadé, Hussein Baydoun, Hassan Shaaban, Rabih Yassine, Marwan Tahtah, Carmen Yahchouchi, Jamal Saidi, and Mohamad Yassin – who have chronicled Lebanon’s struggles, hopes, and defining moments since 2005. Arthur Sarradin curated the exhibition.
The exhibition commemorates twenty years since the assassination of journalist and historian Samir Kassir, whose life and work remain a symbol of freedom of expression in Lebanon and the region.
By presenting images that capture both the pain and determination of the Lebanese people, the exhibition highlights the vital role of photography in upholding truth and combating oppression. Freedom was at the core of Samir Kassir’s writings, and this exhibition continues his fight by giving voice to those who record history with their lenses.
The exhibition also aims to promote and highlight soora.store, a newly launched online platform dedicated to supporting Lebanese photojournalists and making their work accessible to international audiences. Soora offers a space where photography meets sustainability and advocacy, providing both visibility and income opportunities for journalists working under challenging conditions.
In his opening speech, Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director of the Samir Kassir Foundation, said: “We may not find Samir’s photos in this space, but he is present in every corner. In the call for Lebanon’s sovereignty, in the struggle to end dictatorship in Syria, in the rejection of political assassinations in Lebanon, in confronting Israel’s crimes against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, in the commitment to press freedom, to human rights and dignity, to women’s rights, to rejecting sectarian dominance, and in the dream of a Lebanon liberated from corruption and reconciled with its memory. These are Samir’s values, and these images are a continuation of his legacy.”
Reidun Otterøy, Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy in Lebanon, added: “Tonight is a reminder that images are powerful and transcend borders, language, and time. They can inform and document, ignite empathy and engagement, and spark global solidarity. I think we all have photos that we don’t forget because they are both stunning and hard to watch.
Photojournalists are frontline storytellers, and sometimes, unfortunately, they are victims of violence and war. Around the world, journalists are coming under attack, being killed or injured.”
The exhibition will run at Art on 56th in Gemmayzeh, Beirut, from August 28 to September 6, 2025 (excluding Mondays and Sundays), from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
This event is organized as part of the Beirut Spring Festival and is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
