The MENA Design Research Center is organising the first ever Beirut Design Week to commence 25 June. The dedicated event will bring together architects, designers, textile manufacturers and creative experts who will showcase their work and discuss topical issues through conferences and workshops. A number of the participating designers will open up their shops and showrooms after hours to enable the general public and industry professionals to get a unique look into their practices.

Three themes will be explored during the event: design and community; design and education; and design and business. The main hub of the Beirut Design Week will be the Ministry of Tourism in Hamra which will host the central exhibition, Desmeem, highlighting links between design and the community. The display will be open from 8am to 10pm from 25-30 June.

Doreen Toutikian from the MENA Design Research Center, comments: “It is about time that Beirut had its own Design Week. This cosmopolitan city has been constantly redefining its design cultural and exhibiting to the rest of the world some of its most unique creations. Between 25 and 30 June, we will be witnessing the FIRST Beirut Design Week by connecting the dots throughout the city and exploring the work of all the designers and architects that have been drawing, moulding and sewing Beirut’s contemporary identity through design.”