August 20, 2020: In an effort to aid the artists and the cultural community of Beirut who suffered devastating losses due to two massive explosions that rocked the city on August 4, 2020, Christie’s will be staging a charity auction under the name ‘We Are All Beirut’. The online auction will be held from late October to the first half of November 2020.
Christie’s has been long associated with Lebanese art and feels strongly about coming together to aid the artists. Michael Jeha, Chairman of Christie’s Middle East commented, “Lebanese art has been at the heart of our Middle Eastern auctions since 2006 and Christie’s feels a deep sense of responsibility to be part of the global efforts to help rebuild Beirut, a city so rich in culture. We have been so affected by the solidarity shown and the sincere wishes to help that Christie’s has received in the past week.”
This auction will feature 40 to 50 lots of regional and international art, watches, jewellery and designs, confirms Caroline Louca-Kirkland, Managing Director Christie’s Middle East. This initiative will help in supporting the cultural scene of Beirut including historical landmarks of the city like the Sursock Museum.
Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s, has urged all the international clients, collectors and friends to contribute to this cause. He commented, “Seeing the images of devastation…will always remain in all our collective memory and our thoughts are with all families, friends and artists who have lost so much. We hope to raise enough funds with this initiative to make a significant difference. My deepest thank you to all who have already committed or inquired about what Christie’s plans are to help rebuild the artistic community of Beirut.”
Christie’s first charity sale ‘Camel Caravan Charity Auction’, which was held in the Middle East in 2004, raised $1.3 million/AED 4.7 million. In June 2019, a sale titled ‘Art of Al Balad’ was held in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Raising $1.3 million/SAR 4.7 million, the funds helped in building a new heritage museum at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jeddah’s Historical District.
