Zahrat El Ihsan (Flower of Goodness) School

The protection of cultural heritage and the support of distressed communities are closely interconnected. They are vital for ensuring that vulnerable communities remain on their ancestral lands, which are not only the lands of their forebears but also the foundation of their identity. A fitting example of this is the Zahrat El Ihsan (Flower of Goodness) School, one of the first and most emblematic Orthodox schools in Beirut, which suffered severe damage during the 2020 port explosion. The reconstruction of its traditional wooden roof structure was completed in 2024, restoring the building to its former mid-20th-century glory. What makes this roof structure remarkable is its size, covering nearly 2,000 square meters, making it the largest continuous roof structure in Lebanon. Plans are in place to use the space for cultural and artistic purposes in the future, such as an exhibition hall. This educational complex symbolizes the revival of Beirut’s battered yet vibrant downtown. The French organization Oeuvre d'Orient played a crucial role in overseeing the reconstruction, while the ALIPH foundation also provided significant financial support for the project.