The Soap Museum is one of only three traditional soap factories in Saida historically. The 150 years old treasure was bought by the Audi family around 1880, and was abandoned in 1980 during the Lebanese civil war. In 1998, under the management of Raymond Audi, the family converted the soap factory into an ethnographic museum, exhibiting the production process of traditional olive-oil based soap. Shortly after the establishment of Audi Foundation – built on top of the soap factory itself – a Soap Museum identity was articulated and a book about traditional soap-making was designed in three versions: Arabic, English, and French, focusing on the history of the craft as well as methods and tools of production.
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The Soap Museum-Logo
Samir Sayegh’s unique style of the calligraphy strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary formal qualities.
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The Soap Museum-Calligraphy
Original calligraphy construction by artist Samir Sayegh
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The Soap Museum-Logo on image
Calligraphy: in collaboration with artist Samir Sayegh – Photography: May Arida
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The Soap Museum-Entrances
The Soap Museum can be accessed from its traditional entrance on the streets of the old town and also from the more recent premises of the Audi Foundation.
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The Soap Museum-Book cover
The Soap Museum book on olive oil soap is a reference document but also a guide for the visitors of the museum.
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The Soap Museum-Book three covers
Keeping each language to its own document avoids an overly crowded book and gives the visitor/reader their choice of preference.
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The Soap Museum-Book inside pages
“The Olive Oil Soap” book is a celebration of the craft and the valuable archives of the town of Saida and the Audi family.
