Rachid Karami International Fair (RKIF)
The Rachid Karami International Fair is a major exhibition center in Tripoli, Lebanon, designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Its unique, modernist structures represent a significant example of 20th-century architecture in the Middle East. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2023.
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The Most Iconic Structures of RKIF
The RKIF's architectural portfolio features numerous distinctive structures, including the iconic Collective Housing, The Grand Cover, Lebanon Pavilion, Experimental Theater and Space Museum. Explore the Fair: Get Your RKIF Visitor Guide.
Oscar Niemeyer, the Architect of the Fair
Oscar Niemeyer 1907 — 2012
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oscar Niemeyer was one of the most prominent pioneer architects of the second generation of twentieth-century Modernists. He was known for designing the new capital of Brazil, Brasília, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He was the recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1988.
Niemeyer visited Tripoli in the early summer of 1962 and stayed there for several months, during which he designed all the facilities of the permanent International Fair of Lebanon in Tripoli. He made a supervisory visit to the construction site of the fair facilities at the beginning of January 1967, marking his last visit to Lebanon.
In his documented writings until shortly before his death, he expressed his wish that the Lebanese state would complete the construction and equipping of all the facilities to operate the fair as he had dreamed, as one of the projects that held a special place in his heart.
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Connect with the RKIF: Your Four-Step Guide
1
Explore the Site
Discover the unique structures and their stories.
2
Engage with Events
Find out about current and upcoming activities.
3
Support the Fair
Learn how you can contribute to its preservation and future.
4
Visit Us Today
Plan your immersive experience at this architectural marvel.
Digitalization of the RKIF
Launch of RKIF's journey towards the digital future. A vision manifested, where history meets innovation.
Sep/ 2025