Khaberni - A celebration held inside the Jeita Grotto sparked a large controversy on social media platforms in Lebanon, after videos circulated showing a large attendance inside the famous natural site amid musical atmosphere and applause, which activists considered an assault on a sensitive tourist landmark that should have its environmental privacy maintained.
For his part, the mayor responded indicating that the event was not a wedding, and confirmed that it was merely a "preparatory evening" attended by about 120 people for no longer than 30 minutes.
He called for viewing the event as an attempt to reactivate the site after years of neglect, pointing out that many caves around the world host similar evenings, and that the municipality is working on cooperation projects to gather donations and maintain the site.
Despite the municipality's denial of what was circulated on the platforms, many considered what happened to violate environmental standards inside the cave, denouncing the allowance of strong lighting and loud sound at a time when regular visitors are even prohibited from taking pictures.
The municipality's response prompted the intervention of the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, which announced it would issue an official warning letter to the municipality of Jeita, considering what happened a contractual violation that necessitates accountability, and mentioned in its statement that the municipality organized the activity without official approval despite previous oral communications that did not include any written requests or details about the nature of the event.
The ministry confirmed that the municipality did not share any financial data or contracts related to the celebration, and announced that it would send an official warning letter to the municipality of Jeita specifying the committed violations, affirming that it bears full responsibility in overseeing the management and operation of Jeita Grotto, in order to prevent any harm to this national tourist landmark.
One of the commenters wrote: "When a tourist enters the Jeita Grotto, the first thing they are told is no photography allowed, because strong lighting affects the formation of the grotto, yet here, a party was held inside it."
Another person commented saying: "Did you know that the respectable state allowed people from the velvet class to hold a wedding party inside the Jeita Grotto, with loud music, photography, flash, and a large number of attendees, while if we enter to take a picture, one of us is treated like a criminal? What is this contradiction in everything?"
