BEIRUT — In mid-June, the management of the Istanbouli Theater, an Arab theatrical company established in 2014; the Tiro Association for Arts, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) operating in southern Lebanon since 2014; and the Lebanese National Theater, which is a public theater and a free independent cultural platform established in 2019, launched an online campaign titled “We Paint Against Racism,” with the aim of promoting equality and freedom of expression and rejecting all forms of discrimination.

Actor and director Qassem Istanbouli, who is the founder of the Lebanese National Theater, said in a statement June 16, “In light of the divisions, conflicts, sectarian strife and racism witnessed in the region, we found that we must work to use arts to raise awareness and encourage unity, coexistence, dialogue, love and respect for other people’s opinion while rejecting intolerance and discrimination in all its forms.”

“This is why we must draw for the humanity that unites us,” he added.

Istanbouli told Al-Monitor, “This campaign started with drawings and photographs and will include other arts, such as storytelling.”