Lamma café in Tripoli promotes sustainability by utilizing recycled materials and fostering community engagement through art and workshops. Its mission is to raise eco-consciousness in Libya, a country recovering from conflict with limited recycling practices. Owner Louay Omran Burwais and art director Roula Ajjawi emphasize the significance of transforming waste into valuable artistic expressions.
In Tripoli, a café named Lamma, meaning “gathering” or “hangout” in Arabic, has emerged as a vibrant cultural center. Designed entirely from recycled materials, the café promotes sustainability in a nation healing from conflict. It features an art gallery that highlights Libyan artists and hosts various events and workshops, aiming to raise awareness of eco-friendly practices in a region where such initiatives are limited.
Louay Omran Burwais, the architect and founder of Lamma, emphasized the café’s purpose, stating that it utilizes abandoned materials, such as rubber from tires and construction waste. His goal is to demonstrate that items often discarded as useless can still hold value. Post-conflict Libya faces significant challenges, including a divided political landscape and a pressing need for sustainable solutions.
Visitors to Lamma are greeted by a colorful environment that includes plant-covered walls and creative installations made from repurposed materials. Roula Ajjawi, the art director, highlighted the café’s unique mission centered on recycling. Families are drawn to the café, particularly on Thursdays, as it offers children’s art workshops and a small library for borrowing books.
Burwais hopes that Lamma will inspire a shift towards ecological practices, as Libya currently has no recycling facilities. He aims for visitors to perceive everyday objects in a new light, fostering a culture of sustainability. Despite the widespread issue of waste from the civil war, Lamma seeks to transform discarded items into artistic expressions, influencing public consciousness.
The café has garnered a loyal following, with patrons such as Riyad Youssef praising its cuisine, service, and dedication to minimizing waste. Youssef remarked, “I love this place… Every idea here is amazing,” reflecting the growing appreciation for innovative recycling concepts in Libya.
Lamma café in Tripoli exemplifies a pioneering effort towards sustainability and recycling in Libya, a nation emerging from conflict. By utilizing recycled materials and fostering an appreciation for eco-friendly practices, Lamma promotes a transformative mindset among its visitors. The café’s commitment to art and community demonstrates the potential for creativity and environmental awareness in a region where such initiatives are scarce.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
