Interior view of the Colorado cinema in Tripoli, with its curves, mezzanine, and typical 1950s lines. (Credit: Hadia Doumani)
The Colorado in Tripoli, once among the city's most important cinemas, has been sold. It is expected to be converted into a commercial space. This marks yet another step toward the erosion of the collective memory of a city that has been ravaged by war and crises. Tripoli has largely been left to fend for itself, in the hands of its militias, who care little for its heritage. In a city where buildings are collapsing and hundreds more have been deemed unsafe, the Colorado now faces the threat of disappearance.The theater first belonged to Dr. Wahib Nini, who also owned a hospital. Designed by architect Georges Doumani, it boasted a distinctly modern flair at the time and could seat nearly 850 guests. It became iconic in the 1950s, a decade that saw many theaters flourish across the country — not just places to watch films, but also...
The Colorado in Tripoli, once among the city's most important cinemas, has been sold. It is expected to be converted into a commercial space. This marks yet another step toward the erosion of the collective memory of a city that has been ravaged by war and crises. Tripoli has largely been left to fend for itself, in the hands of its militias, who care little for its heritage. In a city where buildings are collapsing and hundreds more have been deemed unsafe, the Colorado now faces the threat of disappearance.The theater first belonged to Dr. Wahib Nini, who also owned a hospital. Designed by architect Georges Doumani, it boasted a distinctly modern flair at the time and could seat nearly 850 guests. It became iconic in the 1950s, a decade that saw many theaters flourish across the country — not just places to watch films, but...
