"Our Manuscripts Have Been in Great Danger in Recent Days": The Bibliotheque Orientale, Beirut, and the Trials of World War I

In the vicinity of Beirut's Bibliothèque Orientale lies a collection of archives, including those of Louis Cheikho, a leading figure in Oriental studies and manuscript collection. While Cheikho's efforts are often portrayed as mere emulation of European models, a closer examination of the manuscripts challenges this narrative. Through archival research in Beirut and Vanves, France, Cheikho's collecting emerges as a quest to establish a religious and linguistic education framework, grounded in modernity and secularism. His diaries from 1914 to 1918 offer profound insights into the manuscripts' journey during wartime, reflecting on their significance amidst religious and cultural upheaval. This study highlights the intricate interplay between faith, identity, and cultural preservation, emphasizing the pivotal role of manuscripts as repositories of collective memory and agents of societal transformation.