Pre-wedding bash at Lebanon's 'sacred' Jeita Grotto triggers nationwide backlash

A wedding party at one of Lebanon’s most iconic natural landmarks has caused fury in the country as people blasted the event and authorities for allowing it to take place at a protected site.

Videos of the pre-wedding party inside Jeita Grotto emerged on Monday, showing guests singing and dancing with a band playing instruments, after arriving by boat to the lower gallery of the caves, located in Mount Lebanon’s Keserwan district.

The event has sparked backlash, with Lebanese and foreigners alike citing the double standards over rules that restricts photography and loud noises inside the caves. Photography generally requires prior permission.

Many have said that while they’re not allowed to take photos or even speak loudly inside the grotto, the couple – a Lebanese woman and her non-Lebanese husband – were able to organise such a lavish event.

The grotto’s limestone formations are very fragile, so bright camera flashes or continuous light exposure can damage mineral formations over time or encourage unwanted algae growth. Certain types of animals also dwell in the caves, so preventing camera flashes aims to protect them.

The restrictions are also due to the safety of visitors, with measures put in place to prevent any accidents whilst taking pictures.

Despite this, people have questioned how such a party was allowed to take place in the ancient grottos, one of Lebanon’s most popular tourist sites, which was a finalist in the New7Wonders Foundation list in 2011.

The Megaphone digital news platform shared a response it received from the Jeita Municipality and grotto staff manager Imad Safir, who claimed the sound and lighting systems all met required standards, were limited in number, and were supervised by specialists.

He added that the event did not include food or drink and lasted 30 minutes, and that its proceeds went toward cleaning and maintaining the grotto.

Safir also noted that municipality staff were stationed throughout the grotto during the event to protect sensitive areas.

'A new low'

Social media erupted with condemnation, as people expressed frustration and disgust, while others mocked the wedding as a display of societal greed and elitist privilege.

Public historian Charles Hayek said such heritage that took millions of years to form "cannot be allowed to become venue for inappropriate commercial exploitation that disregards its irreplaceable value."

Slamming the "backwardness" of the whole event, Hayek wrote on his Instagram story function that measures taken by the Tourism Ministry are insufficient.

"Temporary closure for comprehensive protection should be implemented immediately while qualified specialists … are identified and engaged."

"Just saw the video of a celebration (wedding? pre-wedding?) inside Jeita Grotto. Super loud music, packed with people in a supposedly protected natural site. I’m genuinely shocked at the level we’ve reached.  Money buys everything. Even silence. A new low for Lebanon," one X user wrote.

Another account wrote: "When they named the town Jeita ('Scream' or 'Roar' in Syriac), they were clearly referencing the roar of the river Lykos (wolf), now known as Nahr el Kalb. They weren't predicting the racket of an illegal wedding rave inside its protected Grotto."

The Tourism Ministry has also come under attack.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said that Jeita Mayor Walid Baroud has spoken verbally with Tourism Minister Laura al-Khazen Lahoud about hosting an event inside the grotto, without providing details or submitting an official written request as required.

The ministry emphasised that it did not receive any formal documentation regarding the event, its proceeds, or approval from the Speleo club du Liban (Lebanese Speleological Society) as stipulated in the contract.

The ministry added that it issued an official warning to the Jeita municipality.

Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar also sent a letter to the Mount Lebanon governor requesting clarification as to what happened, according to LBCI.

Discovered in 1836, the Jeita Grotto is a spectacular system of limestone caves featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers, and is renowned for its natural beauty and geological significance.

It was closed for months and reopened this summer following disputes over its new administration.