Sohat Celebrates Baalbeck with Limited-Edition Bottle Art

We don’t often think about where our bottled water comes from, but whether it’s a meal out or a trip to the beach, a bottle of Sohat - Lebanon’s natural mineral water – is always close to hand.

This week, the brand unveiled its first-ever artistic bottle collaboration at the Baalbeck International Festival, celebrating the city’s history and its love of art, music and culture.

By Maghie Ghali

At a sunset gathering on the storied terrace of the 150-year-old Palmyra Hotel, Sohat revealed their limited-edition bottle, designed by Lebanese painter Daisy Abi Jaber. The delicate illustration pays tribute to Baalbeck’s beloved Roman Heliopolis, with the iconic pillars of Bacchus Temple serving as the backdrop for silhouettes of musicians and dancers, as a nod to the festival’s long legacy.  

Trained at Beirut’s Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Abi Jaber has exhibited across Lebanon and France and contributed to the post-blast restoration of stained-glass windows in Beirut’s historic buildings.  

“I think it’s a great initiative for Lebanese artists,” Abi Jaber says. “Imagine if everyone tried to work with an artist on a timely event, it would be such a fantastic opportunity for many creatives.

“I suggested doing an artwork on Baalbeck, and all the music and art it has witnessed, especially with the festival running right now,” she adds. “It’s a hand drawn illustration, with three slightly different designs - one for the glass bottle, and two for the large and small plastic bottles.”

The collaboration seeks to highlight Sohat’s long history, but also support local artists through these projects, bringing their work to tables across the Arab world through these collectible bottles. Future editions could see more Lebanese artists sharing their artwork, allowing Sohat to give back to the creative community.  

Sohat’s sources its water in Falougha, one of Lebanon’s oldest natural springs, used in the Roman era. During a 1910 excavation, ancient canals and coins bearing the images of Emperor Caracalla were discovered. It therefore seems fitting that Baalbeck, the site of another ancient wellspring, is the subject of the art on the bottle.

The night concluded with a stunning performance on the steps of Bacchus Temple by singer Hiba Tawaji, which blended modern artistry with Lebanese musical tradition and historically-inspired compositions and performances.

This limited-edition collector’s bottle will be available for a short time, both at the festival and around Lebanon. It’s a chance to support Lebanese culture and artistry, whilst staying well hydrated this summer.

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