Hariri memorial near completion

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/HaririMemorial.jpg


By Michael Bluhm
Daily Star staff
Saturday, February 09, 2008


BEIRUT: The memorial for former Premier Rafik Hariri at the site of his assassination in Ain al-Mreisseh is being built with stone from Syria, the firm in charge the project says. "It's from Syria," Bashir Dimassi, executive manager of Geneco, told The Daily Star Friday.

Hariri and 22 others were killed in a massive car bombing on February 14, 2005, in front of the St. George Hotel, an attack which Hariri's family and his political allies immediately blamed on Syria. Damascus has denied any involvement, while in May 2007 the UN created the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to try suspects in the killing and in the numerous other political assassinations in Lebanon since then.

Geneco chose to use Syrian stone because its quality surpasses that of the material excavated in Lebanon, Dimassi said.

"You won't find the same quality in Lebanon," he said. "It's a natural stone that we take from the ground in blocks."

Dimassi added that his company was pressed for time in construction, having two and a half months to build the memorial, which will be unveiled Thursday, the third anniversary of Hariri's assassination.

Geneco has used the same Syrian stone to build many other projects in Lebanon, such as a mosque in Sidon, he added.

Syria offers builders certain types of stone, such as basalt, which cannot be found in Lebanon, said Jamil Bou Haran, business development manager at Holcim, Lebanon's largest cement maker.

The stone for the Hariri site, though not as hard as marble, differs from the light limestone used to make ready-mix concrete, a limestone which Lebanon has in abundance and of the same quality as in Syria, Dimassi explained.


Syria provided all the types of limestone used in Lebanon for a number of years after the state banned the extraction of limestone in September 2002, Bou Haran added.

"All the supplies came from Syria for two or three years," he said, adding that limestone is mined in Lebanon today under special permits that have to be renewed every six months.

The Syrian stone for the Hariri memorial has been sculpted to create a 700-square-meter replica of the garden of the Hariri family residence in Qoreitem, Dimassi said. A 6-meter bronze statue of the late premier will adorn the garden, Dimassi added.

It will look "as if Mr. Hariri is standing in his garden at home in Qoreitem," Dimassi said.

Water will flow around the edges of the site to create the impression that the garden sits on a body of water, Dimassi added.

"It will look as if it's raised on water," he said.

A bronze pole with a clock will stand near Hariri's statue, and each day at 12:55 p.m. - the time of Hariri's killing - the clock will emit the sounds of church bells and the Islamic call to prayer for five minutes, Dimassi said.

During the same five minutes a flame will also rise from a 4-meter statue in the garden in the middle of five bronze Lebanese flags, he added.

Dimassi would not reveal the cost of the memorial, which was paid for by the Hariri family on land provided by the city, he said. Hariri's Future Movement and its allies in the ruling March 14 Forces coalition have called on "all the Lebanese people" to gather in Beirut's Martyrs Square, where Hariri is buried, to mark Thursday's third anniversary of his death.

^^That's good,another Beirut Landmark,Allah yer7amak sheikh Rafi2 :( You will always be remembered :(

This will be a very special landmark for Beirut. I am really glad that they have sped up construction in order to unveil it at the anniversary.

It is unfortunate though that the materials used in construction couldn't have been 100% Lebanese...but it was the only option.

But are they going to Organize the area around the Memorial??they took part of the road and the parking in front of HSBC .i wonder if it's going to affect the traffic there.

^^ Are you sure? That road is narrow as it is... I doubt they would have the memorial site just cut into the street.

wow, all that work in two months .........and it sounds amazing............

paid for by the Hariri family on land provided by the city
Does anybody know what the municipality initially planned to with the land, and if it was offered to Hariri's family free of charge?

^^ Are you sure? That road is narrow as it is... I doubt they would have the memorial site just cut into the street.
look good at the picture the road seems really cut off

Does anybody know what the municipality initially planned to with the land, and if it was offered to Hariri's family free of charge?

i dont know if the municipality was planning anything but i really doubt it
.... it wasnt given to the hariri familly to use for investment it was given as a contribute to a great man

Here is the Google earth image of this area...It was a landscaped median before...I think the angle of the pic is bad..You cant block the buildings road access. The road is narrow.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/RHmemorial.jpg

^^ if u compere the pic here and the one in the first post u can tell that they took half the road

^^ I dont think we can be sure at this point. But I highly doubt the memorial will extend into that narrow street right in front of the Bank.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/hariri3L.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/hariri4.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/hariri1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/hariri2.jpg

^^ oh my God that scared the crap out of me..............
(no offence BTW)
but it will be a great Garden for a great man................................

^^Yes, Something like a 'Freedom Torch' will be "lit" everyday at 12:55 pm,the time when he was assasinated.

Ok ,take a glimpse

http://www.almustaqbal.com/issues/images/2872/C1-N1.jpg

الشعلة

المستقبل - الاثنين 11 شباط 2008 - العدد 2872 - الصفحة الأولى - صفحة 1



في إطار التحضيرات للذكرى الثالثة لاستشهاد الرئيس رفيق الحريري تمّ تركيب جزء من النصب التذكاري في موقع الجريمة وأجريت تجربة على الشعلة التي ستضاء يومياً لحظة الاغتيال في الواحدة إلا خمس دقائق.

(نبيل اسماعيل)

^^ NICE ...............
specially the bronze flags :okay:

Very cool...when its done someone has to take a video at 12:55 so we can see it on here hehe

I was just noticing its all grass...not much of a "garden"

I was just noticing its all grass...not much of a "garden"

Well the grass will allow the statue to stand out more. Besides, I am sure the surroundings will have plenty of plants and flowers.

^^Yes, Something like a 'Freedom Torch' will be "lit" everyday at 12:55 pm,the time when he was assasinated.

sounds like turkey's deal with ataturk ... and seeing as im in class and fighting to the death with a turk over the armenian genocide, i dont think i like the idea ... so maybe i'll give my opinion later.

so if the sculpture was to be revealed today, are there pix of the ceremony?

^^

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/horeye-14.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/horeye-15.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/capt_bei12402141704_mideast_lebanon.jpg

coutesy of uncle_monster
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9808/freewa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

why did they choose to put it there?? will they renovate the surrounding?
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4498/freeyy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ They had to put it where the explosion occured...

^^ But who owns that building in the background? I know there are no real plans to renovate at the moment (I think it is related to the St. George project)...but still, I dont think the future hotel that will be there will want a giant flame outside its lobby.

why did they choose to put it there?? will they renovate the surrounding?
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4498/freeyy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Did they extend the sidewalk for this monument?

^^ But who owns that building in the background? I know there are no real plans to renovate at the moment (I think it is related to the St. George project)...but still, I dont think the future hotel that will be there will want a giant flame outside its lobby.

Yes, it belongs to the St-Georges and has been in construction since 1974...
The St-Georges owners are at odds with Solidere...

^^ Well it looks like this will just piss them off even more then...

^^I can imagine...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/statue1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/statue2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/flame2.jpg

^^ Another Beirut Landmark :eek: :eek:

And this is gonna improve the capacity of the Hotels in the area,Especially Saint George Hotel (Well,when it's open).they will be so happy.they should thank Rafik Hariri even when he's dead.

^^ that "tower" really looks like the Landmark rendering

^^ But who owns that building in the background? I know there are no real plans to renovate at the moment (I think it is related to the St. George project)...but still, I dont think the future hotel that will be there will want a giant flame outside its lobby.
Personally, I don't think the bronze flags with a flame going off everyday is attractive at all but maybe they could find some way to integrate it with its surroundings. I think something like a plaque or small fountain would've been enough since they already built a huge monument nearby

^^ Well it looks like this will just piss them off even more then...
They could just temporarily remove it during renovations and put it back when they're done. Or just redesign another monument when they're done.

^^ that "tower" really looks like the Landmark rendering

Also reminds me on the Beirut Gate box stack sign...the flames position is weird. Why not put it in place of the tower next to Hairi's statue? I know it closer to the scene but.....What does the writing say? Wheres the clock ?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2279925092_f645c3b664_b.jpg

They could just temporarily remove it during renovations and put it back when they're done. Or just redesign another monument when they're done.

I take this back. I walked by the site today. Its possible to redevelop the building without removing the flags

are the writings koranic verses?
I LOVE the torch/falgs!

^^No,it's his sayings and achievements :)

does anyone know who the artist who made the bronze statue is? is he lebanese? was the statue made in lebanon?

^^The Artist was Lebanese,I'm sure about that,it was on the NEWS

Looks like hes in a breeze the way the clothes are shown..very nice..

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/1717/somethingfv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

-they removed the flags
-Hassoun r u shure they r not Koranic verses?
-and do u know that they play cedar reveloution songs ,,it's amazing u dont here them until u step inside
-but the water flow is poor i dont know why?

^^Yes,Not Quranic verses

That's for sure a nice Beirut Landmark ,, I LOVE IT !!!!

Is that blue permanent? quite honnestly its ugly it shouldnt be flashy

-and do u know that they play cedar reveloution songs ,,it's amazing u dont here them until u step inside


step inside what? its open ... does the music come out of the statue?

^^ I'm assuming the speakers are near the tower, and they are probably set to a low volume so you can only hear it when you are standing close-by (i.e. up the steps).

Is that blue permanent? quite honnestly its ugly it shouldnt be flashy

I am sure there will be some plants/flowers in front of it once the Spring comes. But is there a reason why it is blue? I dont remember reading about it...

-they removed the flags

Do you mean the small flags that were placed in the grass?

I have a feeling passers-by plucked them as souvenirs...

are the sides of those walls really blue?? whats with the cheapo colors? reminds me of swimmming pools!

oh i forgot and the speaker is that "blue" thing on the grass in post #36
and there's one at the TORCH too

I am sure there will be some plants/flowers in front of it once the Spring comes. But is there a reason why it is blue? I dont remember reading about it...

Maybe the blue is consolation for the view of water that you would have had if you were walking on the Phoenicia side, before this very awkward platform was built.

It's not a good design for the plot. The statue, or the statue and the tower, could have been built on a much smaller platform, leaving the little park and the views across it open. I think a smaller platform would actually have accentuated the statue and tower rather than detract from it the way this elephantine, tacky, gaudily ballustraded thing does.

A monument to RH there is appropriate (we could also have one for Rene Mouwad near the place he was murdered...but that's another story), but I don't like the way this thing seemed to have been bulldozed through...

I kinda agree with you...a small platform (half the size..suround by trees and plantings would have been nicer and you would have seen the statue better also

A monument to RH there is appropriate (we could also have one for Rene Mouwad near the place he was murdered...but that's another story), but I don't like the way this thing seemed to have been bulldozed through...


Well this space prior to the creation of the memorial was already devasted as a result of the blast. It wasnt exactly a thriving green park.

or maybe the blue is the color for FM???

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2326276255_856b59ed71_o.jpg

He educated so many people no matter who they were...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2483844866_ddb1b2282d_o.jpg

That's beautiful. I can't wait to see it this summer! ^^

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4843/lebanon375largeie6.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3535/lebanon374largegi9.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1517/2613852756971f04b662blw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wasnt sure if i should put this here...todays Dailystar:

On May 26, French architect Marc Barani will speak about his recent selection to conceive and build, in the very center of Beirut, the Rafik Hariri memorial tomb. During this conference, which will take place at the Acadamie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) entitled "MŽditerranŽes," Barani will also discuss his work on the Nice tramway as well as his future projects

His Site is under construction: www.Atelierbarani.com

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss61/budkheir/2905415225_50b7512dd6_b.jpg

Does anyone know anything about any future plans for the grave site near the mosque in Martyr's Square? I thought that they were going to build a more permanent structure/memorial there. Has Solidere mentioned anything about this?

I think it's about time they remove it and keep just one memorial site, and a tomb for the family to visit. It's Rafic Hariri, even though he was one of Lebanon's greatest men and got the country far ahead (I don't want to go political, I don't know whether to like or hate his work, since Lebanon is divided on that matter), but again, it's Rafic Hariri, not the Prophet Mohamed. I don't see anything similar anywhere in the world for J.F.K., Charles de Gaulle, Joseph Stalin or Steve Jobs. They get the tribute with their name as a street, airport, train station, etc. and probably a statue somewhere, but not a huge grave site in the middle of the CBD, covered with a mountain of flowers and a couple of army men constantly guarding it. This shows how pagan the Lebanese population can get.

^^ they already named the airport, the campus of the LU, the university hospital after him. He has three memorials (next to phoenicia, martyr square and next to the serail) instead of one...

they might as well make easier for themselves and just rename Beirut Harriri city as if no other politician was assassinated before him in Lebanon:ohno:

^^ they already named the airport, the campus of the LU, the university hospital after him. He has three memorials (next to phoenicia, martyr square and next to the serail) instead of one...

they might as well make easier for themselves and just rename Beirut Harriri city as if no other politician was assassinated before him in Lebanon:ohno:

you are in simple words: Anti-Hariri and anti-prosperity of Lebanon

Shame on you

OK this conversation is over now.

Dear all

It is really great to see such a spectacular garden enriching the culture of Lebanon

Rafic Hariri One of the finest politician who rebuilt Beirut’s war affected historic commercial center though the launching of the most desired construction program in the history of the country.

cheers