In a Lebanon museum, 'keys without homes' evoke destruction in south

A poignant exhibition in Beirut is giving voice to the destruction and displacement in southern Lebanon, offering a space for reflection on homes lost and memories shattered. Titled "Hkeeli ya Jnoub" (Tell me, O South), the exhibit at the Beit Beirut museum features photographs, videos, and installations that preserve the essence of southern Lebanon.

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We were supposed to go home and open the door with the key, but there is no door anymore.

Fatima Hajj Ali, a resident from southern Lebanon, was moved to tears by the "Keys Without Homes" installation. Rows of keys hanging from the ceiling symbolize the thousands of homes, like hers, destroyed by Israeli attacks. "We were supposed to go home and open the door with the key, but there is no door anymore," the 23-year-old shared, her voice heavy with loss.

The exhibition captures the personal impact of the recent conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in 2023. Despite a recent lull in fighting, intermittent Israeli strikes and widespread demolitions continue, making return impossible for many. Hajj Ali recounted visiting her partially collapsed home in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, longing for the simple peace of her garden and the call to prayer, sentiments that Beirut's beauty cannot replace.

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Half the house collapsed and half remained.

Artist Adeeb Farhat, himself from the south, conceived "Keys Without Homes" during a previous war, haunted by the question of his own home's fate and the potential shift in his relationship with his house key. He drew a parallel to the Palestinian tradition of keeping keys from homes lost during the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of Palestinians.

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I long for sunset and to hear the call to prayer in our garden while I drink my coffee.

Other works in the exhibition include "What Remains" by Sama Beydoun, featuring blurry images of her destroyed grandfather's home, and recreations of daily life in southern Lebanese homes, complete with personal belongings. Visitors are also invited to share their memories of the south in notebooks, further weaving a collective tapestry of remembrance and resilience.

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I was constantly haunted by the question: What will happen to my house? Will it be bombed? And how will my relationship with my house key change? Will we become the new Palestinians?