10/06/2026
Each year on the ninth of June, the world marks International Archives Day — an occasion to reaffirm the importance of historical documents as the collective memory of peoples and the record of their political, social, and cultural development. This year's theme, "Archives for Justice," underscores that preserving and providing access to documents serves not only to safeguard the past, but also to illuminate the paths that shaped the building of nations.
Within this context, the draft of the 1926 Lebanese Constitution — on display as part of the exhibition "The Lebanese Constitution Centenary 1926–2026: A Hundred Years, What Republic?" at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) Library — holds exceptional value as one of the founding documents of the modern Lebanese state.
What distinguishes this draft is that it is handwritten, lending it a singular historical and human dimension that transports us to the very moment of constitutional drafting, before the text was officially ratified. Equally significant is that it corresponds to the final text of the 1926 Constitution at a rate of approximately 95%, making it a direct witness to the process of constitutional preparation and to the legal and political discussions that accompanied the birth of the Lebanese Republic.
In this light, the role of the archive and the role of the constitution converge in their service to society. The archive preserves national memory and documents the journey of state-building, while the constitution defines the principles upon which that state is founded. If the archive protects the past from oblivion, the constitution protects the present and the future from disorder and arbitrariness.
Those wishing to view the Lebanese Constitution Centenary Exhibition are welcome to visit the University Library during working hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or to contact us by phone at 09600071 or by email at [email protected] to inquire or arrange a visit.
