Rashid Karami International Fair
The idea of establishing an international fair in Tripoli took shape in the second half of the 1950s. The foundation stone was laid during that period, and land acquisition began for a project initially known as the Tripoli Fair.
The aim was a permanent international exhibition center where countries and businesses from Lebanon, the Arab region and beyond could present and exchange products. The project sought to strengthen Lebanon’s commercial role while stimulating Tripoli’s economy.
More than one million square meters of land were acquired from local owners for the fair. The design was entrusted to Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, internationally known for his work on BrasÃlia and other major architectural projects.
The fair’s planned facilities included exhibition halls, theaters, a Lebanese pavilion, a restaurant and terrace, administrative offices and a business center. Their varied forms brought performance, trade and public space together in a single architectural landscape.
