PRESERVING TRADITION WITHIN A CHALLENGED COUNTRY: The Story of a Lebanese Glass Blowing Factory
Beirut, LB
2023
In the heart of Lebanon, a traditional glass blowing factory stands as a testament to resilience and family heritage. Run by Salah Hammoud, the factory is a family business with deep roots, spanning back 70 to 80 years. Salah, having taken the reins in 1990, continues a legacy started by his grandfather and nurtured by subsequent generations.
The factory operates 24 hours a day, unable to halt production without risking disaster. “You cannot stop the furnace,” Salah explains, highlighting the delicate balance required in the glass blowing process. Even a brief pause of 15 minutes can lead to catastrophic results, making continuous operation essential.
Specializing in recycled glass, the factory produces a variety of items including pitchers and a unique item known as “Ziad’s glasses,” bespoke pieces created specifically for a collaborator named Ziad Abi Chaker, who also calls himself “the waste man” and began working with Salah following the devastating Beirut blast.
This partnership involves transforming broken glass from the blast into new, usable items, a poignant symbol of recovery and resilience.
The collaboration with Ziad after the Beirut blast not only represents an innovative approach to recycling but also highlights the factory’s ability to adapt and find creative solutions in times of crisis. This partnership helps to sustain the factory’s operations while contributing to the broader community by turning debris into beautiful, functional art.
Despite the challenges, the factory remains one of only three in Lebanon. Salah cites escalating costs as the primary challenge today, driven by the high prices of materials, machinery, and fuel oil. The economic pressures are compounded by a limited market, both locally and internationally, with high production costs making exports challenging.
Yet, despite these hurdles, Salah and his factory persist, driven by a commitment to their craft and the cultural heritage of Lebanese glass blowing. The work is a mix of tradition and necessity, with the vast majority of their production focusing on practical items like gallons and jars. These items represent 95% of their output, essential for local use and a staple of their production line.
Salah’s story is an example of the struggles and triumphs of traditional industries in modern times, underscoring the importance of supporting local crafts and industries that represent a country’s heritage and resilience.
