Annually
the International Book Fair takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentine.
This is one of the most important cultural events of the country where
for a month, editors, representatives of public/ private institutions
and universities from various countries come together to display their publications.
Thanks
to the Lebanese Maronite Mission of Argentina, Lebanon had its first
representation and booth/stand in this fair for the first time in 2000.
The main
purpose for this participation was the desire to disseminate information
about the values of the Lebanon with an emphasis on its Phoenicians
heritage and cultural importance of the Lebanon in the Middle East.
The objective behind this purpose was to demonstrate the value and contribution
of Lebanon to Western civilization.
To enhance
the emphasis herewith mentioned, the Lebanese booth/stand was decorated
with pictures of Baalbek, Byblos, Tyre, Sidon and Beirut and others
landscapes.
The focal
point was a Maronite liturgy book in Aramaic printed by the first printer
of the east in Lebanon around the 1600s.
Further,
cultural videos about Lebanon and typical Lebanese music were displayed
on a television monitor. Also there were books about tourism, archeology,
history, religion, videos, maps, souvenirs, pictures, posters, CDs and
an interactive database which Lebanese visitors could use to trace their
family roots.
Young customer
service representatives were in charge of the project and had worked
on it for several months and they explained to visitors the importance
of Lebanon in the world.
On May
6th, which is the day Lebanon remembers the Martyrs who had
fallen for Lebanons freedom, the location (booth) marked it as
a special "Lebanon Day."
Further,
an auditorium was rented where 1000 persons participated in the event.
The ceremony started with Dabble, a traditional Lebanese dance, and
continued with videos. Also, there was a short meeting about the history
and contributions of Lebanon to the civilization. The event finished
with typical Lebanese food.
In summary,
the presence of the Lebanese exhibition during the 25 day-long Feria
del Libro (international book fair) can be qualified as very successful.
The atmosphere it created and the products and services it offered assembled
a great crowd of visitors: many people came to know the true Lebanon
and a large number of " lost " descendents were able
to rediscover their roots.
Click
GALLERY TO VIEW photographs
taken during the fair.
Phoenician
immigrants around the world are invited to replicate the work
of the Lebanese immigrant community in Argentine . I would be
delighted to publish similar reports for such activities on this
Web site. |