The Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) celebrated the launch the Chair of Phoenician Studies during a ceremony on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the Laila Turqui Auditorium of the USJ Oriental Library (BO). The event was attended by former ministers, deans, directors, instructors, students, alumni, and friends of USJ. It featured an inaugural address by Prof. Françoise Briquel-Chatonnet titled “Who Were the Phoenicians? Bridging Myth and History.”

The Rector of USJ, Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, opened the ceremony with heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the establishment of the Chair, especially Mrs. Maha El-Khalil Chalabi, whose enthusiasm and dedication to Phoenician studies were pivotal. “Thanks to her commitment,” he noted, “a valuable collection of 2,000 Phoenician works has been donated to the Chair and is now housed on the fourth floor of the Oriental Library.”

Prof. Daccache also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Roland Tomb, Honorary Dean of the USJ Faculty of Medicine, for reviving the idea of this Chair. “His passion for Phoenicia and its heritage,” the Rector stated, “led to the introduction of Phoenician language studies in the medical curriculum.” He also thanked Prof. Françoise Briquel-Chatonnet, an eminent historian and research director at CNRS, for agreeing to chair this new Chair, and to Mr. Joseph Rustom, Director of the Oriental Library, for his enthusiastic support of the initiative and for preparing the facilities in record time.

Furthermore, Prof. Daccache underscored the importance of this Chair for USJ and Lebanon, highlighting that it represents a scientific and human commitment to deepening our understanding and appreciation of Phoenician heritage. He announced that, “Three boards have been established to ensure the Chair’s good governance: The International Scientific Board, presided by Ms. Briquel-Chatonnet; the Advisory Board, presided by Prof. Tomb; and the Honorary Committee, presided by Mrs. El-Khalil Chalabi. Mr. Maroun Khoreich will serve as the Executive Director of the Chair.” He went on to say, “This effort ensures that this project will not be a fleeting initiative but a lasting contribution to Phoenician studies. (…) Finally, we must address the traditional question: Are we, the Lebanese, descendants of the Phoenicians? In my opinion, if the criteria are entrepreneurship, creativity, and mobility, then we are indeed all Phoenicians.”

Following this, Mrs. Maha El-Khalil Chalabi, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and a prominent advocate for the preservation of Phoenician heritage, addressed the audience. She highlighted the significance of the past, present, and future as essential anchor points for every individual. Reflecting on her days as a student at USJ, she expressed her joy in witnessing the establishment of the Chair of Phoenician Studies at the Oriental Library. She noted that this is an ideal setting to impart the rich history of the Phoenicians to future generations.

Furthermore, El-Khalil Chalabi announced that she had generously donated her personal library, comprising of 2,000 works on Phoenician history amassed over decades, to USJ. She urged the University to treasure this precious heritage and emphasized its role in advancing research and safeguarding historical sites across the Mediterranean, all while promoting cultural tourism.

As for Prof. Roland Tomb, he explored Lebanon’s modern history in connection with Phoenicianism, emphasizing its role in shaping the nation’s identity. He noted that during the establishment of Greater Lebanon in 1920, Phoenicianism was at the forefront of political and cultural discourse, advocated by figures like Charles Corm. Phoenicianism gained momentum as it provided a basis for a national identity separate from religious affiliations. However, a century later, political debates have drastically shifted, and past ideologies have waned in significance. Phoenicianism, relegated to a cultural curiosity, has disappeared from discussions; however, it has contributed to shaping a distinct national identity rooted in a humanistic and cultural heritage “so deeply ingrained in people’s minds that its symbols appeared on Lebanese stamps, on Lebanese banknotes, and on the names of companies, state projects like Elissar, hotels like Phoenicia and Ahiram, and high schools such as Melkart and Cadmos.”

Tomb noted, “In recent years, a bank adopted the name Fenicia Bank, and Phoenicia University was established in the South, both initiatives led by Shiite Muslims. We’ve come a long way from the exclusivity once associated with Christianity and Maronitism. Beirut is reconnecting with its Canaanite and Phoenician heritage; initiatives like Phoenician Alphabet Day and popular elective courses in Phoenician epigraphy at USJ showcase this resurgence. Thankfully, Phoenicianism is no longer a political or ideological issue; instead, Lebanon proudly embraces its Phoenician past as an integral part of its identity.”

However, Prof. Tomb expressed regret over the tendency to overlook academic interest in Phoenician studies within Lebanon, despite the considerable advancements of such studies abroad. “This Chair was established with the aim of bridging this gap,” he emphasized, “by fostering education and research on Phoenician civilization, language, and history.” Additionally, he announced several initiatives, including an annual series of lectures, visits to Phoenician sites, courses in collaboration with Lebanese scientific institutions and the French Institute of the Near East, and the launch of a website and newsletter to disseminate the Chair’s activities.

For her part, Prof. Françoise Briquel-Chatonnet expressed her honor and gratitude for being appointed as the first holder of this Chair. She emphasized the importance of clearly defining the subject of study, the Phoenicians, and insisted on a historical approach to understand this ancient civilization, distinguishing historical facts from modern identity claims. She also highlighted the Phoenicians’ significant contributions to history, particularly their role in spreading the Phoenician alphabet, a simple and efficient system that facilitated cultural and commercial exchanges. Moreover, she mentioned the ongoing archaeological discoveries that continue to enhance our understanding of Phoenician religion, architecture, and cultural practices.

The inaugural conference thus opened new perspectives for a deeper understanding of the Phoenician world, a civilization of entrepreneurs and navigators who left an indelible mark in history.

The launch of the Chair of Phoenician Studies at USJ marks the beginning of a new era of research and appreciation for Phoenician heritage. This Chair places USJ at the forefront of studying and preserving this heritage, significantly enriching the understanding and recognition of Phoenician civilization within academia and the broader cultural landscape.

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