Martyrs Memorials Martyrs Memorials in Modern Lebanon:in Modern Lebanon:

Representing the National Representing the National through the Ethno-Religiousthrough the Ethno-Religious

Lucia VolkLucia VolkDepartment of AnthropologyDepartment of Anthropology

San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University

Mapping Lebanon’s Ethno-Religious Communities

Village of Qana [Cana]Village of Qana [Cana]

Approx. 8,000 residentsApprox. 8,000 residents Pre-Civil War about 15% Christian, 85% MuslimPre-Civil War about 15% Christian, 85% Muslim Currently 3% Christian, 97% MuslimCurrently 3% Christian, 97% Muslim Part of Israeli Controlled Areas (ICA) of Lebanon Part of Israeli Controlled Areas (ICA) of Lebanon

(1978-2000)(1978-2000) UNIFIL base of ~ 100 Fijian soldiers established UNIFIL base of ~ 100 Fijian soldiers established

in Qanain Qana Few social services, intermittent electricity, Few social services, intermittent electricity,

understaffed municipalityunderstaffed municipality

Qana’s New Testament Past

Martyrs Memorial, Cana/Qana,South Lebanon (1997)

April 18, 1996April 18, 1996

Israeli Operation “Grapes of Wrath”Israeli Operation “Grapes of Wrath” shelling of Qana/massacre of Qanashelling of Qana/massacre of Qana 106 killed106 killed images on every Arab news networkimages on every Arab news network national funeral in Tyre on April 27national funeral in Tyre on April 27 ““usbu‘a” gathering following weekusbu‘a” gathering following week cemetery memorial (1996)cemetery memorial (1996) April 18 National HolidayApril 18 National Holiday

Qana = the third holiest site where Jesus and Muhammad meet to “dry the tears” of Qana

Lebanon’s First Martyrs MemorialLebanon’s First Martyrs Memorial

by Yussef Hoayek

Inaugurated in downtown Beirut in 1930 under French mandate rule

Beirut’s Martyrs Square, 1930sBeirut’s Martyrs Square, 1930s

Capital BeirutCapital Beirut

largest city in Lebanonlargest city in Lebanon originally predominantly Sunni and Greek originally predominantly Sunni and Greek

OrthodoxOrthodox early 20early 20thth century influx of Maronites and century influx of Maronites and

ArmeniansArmenians 1970s-1980s influx of Shiites1970s-1980s influx of Shiites Martyrs Square, commercial, political, Martyrs Square, commercial, political,

traffic central, drawing members of all traffic central, drawing members of all communities communities

May 6, 1916May 6, 1916

World War IWorld War I Arab nationalismArab nationalism Ottoman trial of suspected Arab “traitors”Ottoman trial of suspected Arab “traitors” public execution of 14 in Beirut’s public execution of 14 in Beirut’s

downtown square (Unity Square, Place downtown square (Unity Square, Place des Canons)des Canons)

““traitors” were Sunni, Shiite, Maronite, traitors” were Sunni, Shiite, Maronite, Greek Orthodox -> Martyrs for Greek Orthodox -> Martyrs for IndependenceIndependence

May 6: National HolidayMay 6: National Holiday

Replacement of Hoayek’s StatuesReplacement of Hoayek’s Statues

Making of Rafiq Hariri’s MemorialMaking of Rafiq Hariri’s Memorial

Commemorating Rafiq Hariri’s Commemorating Rafiq Hariri’s Martyrdom for LebanonMartyrdom for Lebanon

Take home messagesTake home messages

Ethno-religious differences can produce Ethno-religious differences can produce national identitynational identity

Shared martyrdom across ethno-religious Shared martyrdom across ethno-religious groups as national valuegroups as national value

Public art represents vision of Muslim-Public art represents vision of Muslim-Christian parityChristian parity

Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?

Thank you!