The Butterflies and Bumblebees of Middle East Airlines

From June 12 to June 19, the Library will exceptionally open from 10 am to 6 pm. As of June 20, it will be open from 1:00 to 6:00 PM.

As part of International Archives Week (IAW) and within the framework of the Modern Heritage Observatory (MoHO) activities, the Archival Department of the Sursock Museum invites you to a special archival display curated by Head of Archives Rowina Bou Harb and Nidale Hamouche Bou Harb. The exhibition will open in the presence of the two curators and former crew members of the MEA dance troupe on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 1 pm at the Museum Library (B1).

The display sheds light on the remarkable legacy of the folkloric dance troupe of Middle East Airlines (MEA), whose performances once represented Lebanon on stages and at festivals around the world. The archival collection includes approximately 500 items, with photographs, official documents, and press clippings that trace the troupe’s vibrant cultural journey. A curated selection from the archives is presented to the public for the first time.

Preserved by the Bou Harb family, the collection offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a chapter of Lebanon’s modern cultural history and how the troupe became a symbol of Lebanese identity, creativity, and openness to the world.