Beirut’s Sursock Museum welcomes a dazzling celebration of Arab music and cinema with the arrival of “Divas: From Umm Kulthum to Dalida,” an exhibition conceived by the Arab World Institute (IMA). After touring Paris, Amman and Amsterdam, this tribute to legendary performers finally finds its way to Beirut; the city where many of these women sang, inspired and helped shape the region’s golden age.
Photo: Christopher Baaklini, Courtesy of Sursock Museum
A Tribute to Arab Icons
Photo: Christopher Baaklini, Courtesy of Sursock Museum
“From the moment the Divas exhibition was presented to me, I fell in love with it,” says Carole Khayat, deputy director of the Sursock Museum. “The Sursock Museum felt like the perfect home for such a project — true to Nicolas Sursock’s vision of a museum open to all Lebanese.”
Within the walls of Sursock Museum, the stories of Umm Kulthum, Asmahan, Fairuz, Sabah, Warda and Dalida unfold through costumes, film excerpts, photographs and rare archives. Together, they represent a century of artistic brilliance, cultural revolution and female empowerment. “It was truly a collective work,” Khayat adds, “bringing together artists, stylists, experts, handymen, architects and researchers from Lebanon, France, Italy and Jordan.”
The exhibition revisits the rise of Arab modernity from the 1920s to the 1970s, exploring how these artists transcended borders to become symbols of freedom, love and resistance. From Cairo’s bustling cabarets to Beirut’s luminous stages, these women redefined performance and paved the way for generations of artists who followed. Behind the scenes, months of preparation and philanthropic support made this possible, with key patrons “immediately captivated by Divas” and helping secure the resources needed to realize the project. “We were fortunate to meet Mrs Janine Freiha and Carole Ghosn, who were immediately captivated by Divas and generously offered to help us gather the needed support and placed their trust in both the Sursock team and the exhibition itself,” says Khayat.
Highlights of the Exhibition
Photo: Christopher Baaklini, Courtesy of Sursock Museum
Curated for Beirut, the exhibition immerses visitors in a world of sound and spectacle. Stage dresses worn by Fairuz and Sabah, preserved from the Baalbeck Festival archives and Beirut’s couture ateliers, bring the era’s glamour to life.
Visitors can explore film footage, press clippings and personal mementos, retracing the steps of stars whose voices once united the Arab world. The scenography echoes the immersive design of the Paris edition while integrating uniquely Lebanese elements that celebrate the country’s musical and cultural legacy.“In ten days we had more than 7,500 visitors, which is a record for the museum,” Khayat notes, underlining the extraordinary reception.
Sursock’s Comeback
Photo: Christopher Baaklini, Courtesy of Sursock Museum
After years of closure and restoration, Sursock Museum reopens with renewed energy and purpose. Hosting “Divas” marks not just the return of a beloved institution but also a wider moment of revival for Beirut’s cultural scene. The exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the museum’s restored halls while honoring the artists who made Arab song and cinema an art of resilience and beauty. Khayat continues: “The Sursock Museum remains a space of free access, open to everyone, faithful to its founder’s vision. But to continue fulfilling this mission and offering such exhibitions to the public, we rely on the generosity and support of our community.”
A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Photo: Christopher Baaklini, Courtesy of Sursock Museum
Beyond nostalgia, “Divas” creates a bridge between eras. Contemporary Lebanese and Arab artists contribute new works inspired by these icons, reflecting on their ongoing influence in art, fashion and popular culture. From cinematic reinterpretations to haute couture tributes, the exhibition celebrates how the spirit of these women continues to inspire creativity today. “I warmly invite everyone to come and discover Divas — a celebration of our rich and inspiring heritage — and to stand by the museum so that we may continue sharing beauty, culture and knowledge with all,” Khayat concludes.
Plan Your Visit
“Divas: From Umm Kulthum to Dalida”; Sursock Museum, Level -2; October 17, 2025 to January 11, 2026
For more information, visit sursock.museum
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