The Saint Joseph University of Beirut recently marked a milestone: the 150th anniversary of its Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library), a cornerstone of knowledge and academic research in Lebanon and the Arab world. The celebration brought together Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, Rector of USJ; R.P. Provincial Michael Zammit, SJ; Dr. Joseph Rustom, Director of the Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library); vice-rectors, deans, directors, donors, researchers, and friends of the library. The ceremony reflected on the library’s remarkable history, showcased its invaluable collections, and honored all who contributed to its renown.
In his address, Dr. Rustom recounted the library’s enduring journey through numerous challenges. From the First World War to Lebanon’s economic and political crises, the library has remained a beacon of knowledge. He emphasized that its strength lies in the unwavering dedication of its staff and successive directors.
Dr. Rustom highlighted key figures who guided the library through times of crisis: “Louis Cheikho during the First World War, Paul Mouterde at Lebanon’s independence, Maurice Tallon during the 1958 crisis, Martin McDermott throughout the 15-year civil war, Lévon Nordiguian and Micheline Bittar during the 2019 economic crisis and the 2020 Beirut port explosion—and today, the brutality of war returns.”
These events testify to the library’s resilience and its essential role in preserving the region’s cultural and scientific heritage. Dr. Rustom noted: “The library has witnessed men and women transform research from solitary work into collaboration and public sharing, guided by true vocation and dedication.”
He stressed the importance of keeping the Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library) an open, inclusive space that fosters collaboration across disciplines. “The library must make access to knowledge a right,” he said, calling for broader diversification in knowledge production. “Academic output has never been, and will never be, the only form of generating knowledge.”
Dr. Rustom also reaffirmed the library’s commitment to continuous improvement and digitization: “Our investments in digitization will be guided by the needs of our users and communities.” He concluded by emphasizing the library’s role as a hub for exchange and collaboration: “The Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library) preserves its collections not as mere treasures, but to make them accessible, providing physical and virtual spaces where researchers can build community through inclusive processes.”
Prof. Daccache highlighted the library’s historical significance for USJ, Lebanon, and the region. He paid tribute to a century and a half of knowledge transmission and preservation: “Celebrating 150 years of scholarship, the library safeguards invaluable documents, ancient and modern works, a photographic archive of over 300,000 images, thousands of manuscripts and maps, unique newspapers and journals, and a dedicated Armenian sub-library.”
The Rector traced the library’s evolution from its 1875 origins under Father Alexandre Bourquenoud at the Ghazir Seminary into a full-fledged cultural and academic institution. “Lebanon has witnessed the growth of what began as a collection of Orientalist and theological works into a unique jewel, unmatched by any other institution,” he said. He also recognized the contributions of successive directors who enriched the library’s holdings, and praised its photographic archive, which documents the history of Lebanon, Syria, and the wider Middle East.
Prof. Daccache acknowledged donors and international institutions, including the Boghossian Foundation, Qatar Foundation, and L’Œuvre d’Orient, which helped safeguard the library’s collections following the 2020 Beirut port explosion. He emphasized the library’s role in Lebanon’s intellectual life, as a meeting place for thinkers, a space for reflection and debate, and a driver of new ideas.
The celebration also launched major initiatives, including the acquisition of the Levon Nordiguian photographic collection, adding 63,000 images to the Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library), and the reopening of the Jesuit Photography Museum, announced by photographer and archive advisor Gilbert Hage. Guests viewed the 40-minute documentary La Bibliothèque Orientale: un patrimoine révélé, directed by Bahij Hojeij, exploring the library’s history and treasures. The event concluded with the donation of Hage’s photographic work L’Étiquette Bleue and a visit to the museum.
Read also: Célébration du 150e anniversaire de la Bibliothèque Orientale