The grand voyage of the Phoenicians: Lebanon’s history comes alive

Byblos is preparing to host one of the most ambitious cultural projects attempted in Lebanon in recent years. “The Grand Voyage of the Phoenicians”, set to open in Spring 2026 at Jardin Public, is a large-scale immersive experience that uses advanced projection, 3D contents, and interactive technology to reinterpret Phoenician history for a contemporary audience. The Beiruter attended the press conference unveiling key details of the initiative and its development.

Positioned as an accessible, non-museum alternative to traditional heritage spaces, the 45–50-minute show aims to offer a modern entry point into one of Lebanon’s oldest identities. Beyond its entertainment value, the project carries significant cultural and national importance: it revives Lebanon’s Phoenician legacy, highlighting a period when the country’s ancestors were global navigators and innovators, and seeks to strengthen a shared sense of identity at a time when cultural preservation has become increasingly urgent. Framed as both a cultural initiative and a public-facing experience, it bridges history and innovation, inviting audiences to engage with Lebanon’s heritage in a new, immersive way.

The birth of an idea

And behind the project is its creator, Roy Azzi, who describes the idea as both a technological leap and a return to identity. In an exclusive with The Beiruter, he says, “This was a dream we’ve been thinking about for a long time,” he says. “We needed to give back to Lebanon and to our roots, and tell the story in a different way, a story that could be told in another dimension.” That “other dimension” is the foundation of The Grand Voyage: an experience built not around exhibits, but around immersion. “3D mapping, immersive experiences, destination storytelling,  The Grand Voyage blends it all,” Azzi explains.

To bring the idea to life, Azzi partnered with Hybrid Experience, a team of Lebanese and international artists specializing in high-end digital installations. “They’re incredible,” he says. “We’re using projection mapping, holograms, high-tech interactivity, a bit of AI, and a lot of original 3D content built from scratch.”

Accuracy, however, is as essential as spectacle. The historical backbone of the project is led by Dr. Maroun Khresh, a Lebanese professor who oversees a full team of researchers ensuring the narrative stays true to Phoenician history. But Azzi is quick to clarify that this is not an academic translation of a history book. “Imagine Netflix covering the Romans,” he says with a smile. “They’re not going to give you a book. They’re going to follow the facts, but in a cinematic way. That’s what we’re doing: making you relive the history from another angle.”

Azzi stresses that this is not a museum. It is a show, an experience, and a journey, one designed for families, students, tourists, and anyone who has ever felt drawn to Lebanon’s ancient identity. The pricing reflects that intention: $20 for adults, $15 for children, with discounted student packages planned. At a time when entertainment in Lebanon is increasingly expensive, Azzi wants this to remain widely accessible, “more affordable than a movie theater ticket,” he notes.

Before its full opening in Spring 2026, a Christmas pop-up will offer an early glimpse, an iconic structure rising inside Jbeil’s public garden, signaling the arrival of something new: a cultural attraction rooted in memory, but told through innovation.

The tourism ministry’s position

Speaking to The Beiruter, Minister of Tourism Laura Lahoud described the project as fully aligned with the ministry’s efforts to diversify Lebanon’s cultural offerings and expand experiences available to both residents and visitors.

“We absolutely adore and support these initiatives and thank Hybrid Experiences for this great idea so tourists, visitors, young people, schools will be able to immerse themselves in this world”, she said, thanking the team behind Hybrid Experiences for developing a concept she believes will resonate widely. The minister emphasized that “The Grand Voyage of the Phoenicians” offers accessible entry points for tourists, students, young people, and schools who may not typically engage with traditional heritage spaces.

According to Lahoud, the immersive format allows audiences to imagine and almost inhabit the Phoenicians’ world, transforming history into something experiential rather than purely informational. She noted that the final production is scheduled to launch in April 2026, with several pop-up activations planned beforehand. “These pop-ups are an excellent idea,” she added. “I think people are really going to appreciate them.” The ministry, she said, views the project as a valuable addition to Lebanon’s cultural tourism landscape and a model for the type of creative initiatives it hopes to see more of in the coming years.

Local Support and Heritage Value

MP Ziad Hawat framed the initiative as a natural fit for Jbeil, a city he says has long positioned itself at the forefront of cultural and innovative projects. He noted that many countries, particularly in the Gulf have turned to immersive technologies to make history more accessible and believes Lebanon should be doing the same.

“Jbeil has always led in exceptional projects,” he told The Beiruter, describing “The Grand Voyage of the Phoenicians” as the first experience of its kind in the country. Hawat encouraged all Lebanese to visit the project once it opens in Spring 2026, calling it a creative and visually striking way to reconnect with Lebanon’s “great and expansive” history. He explains, “It’s a creative, stunning, and captivating project that introduces us to our enormous history, a great history, right here in Jbeil’s public garden.

Legacy through art

“The Grand Voyage of the Phoenicians” represents more than a creative spectacle; it is a convergence of technology, culture, and national identity. For creator Roy Azzi, it is a way to make history tangible and immersive. For the Ministry of Tourism, it reflects a strategic effort to diversify Lebanon’s cultural offerings and attract both local and international audiences. For Jbeil’s leadership, it positions the city as a hub for innovation and heritage alike. The project promises to offer Lebanese and visitors alike a chance to step inside the world of the Phoenicians, to delve into our history as voyagers whose legacy still resonates today.