Day: March 17, 2023

The BAM Leb mobile application, a new and innovative touristic and cultural guide to Lebanon, was launched on Thursday 16 March 2023. This app, funded by the European Union and developed by Agenda Culturel, is interactive, personalised, and indispensable for both locals and tourists who want to explore everything Lebanon has to offer. Ambassadors, artists, friends and Agenda Cultural readers were invited to attend the launch event at the Saleh Barakat Gallery in Beirut, where the stunning exhibition of Katya Traboulsi, ‘Rej3a ya Mama’, was the ideal setting for a discussion on culture and tourism in Lebanon. Myriam Nasr Shuman, Owner and Managing Director of Agenda Culturel, welcomed the guests and explained the idea behind this new app, from conception to realisation. Agenda Culturel team members Leslie Saliba and Nadine Fardon then presented the rich content and various features of the app. The event’s guest of honour, renowned actor Georges Khabbaz, reaffirmed the importance of a platform like Agenda Culturel in the country’s arts and culture scene. He then recited a poem that he wrote on Lebanon. A stimulating panel discussion followed on the importance of tools, such as the BAM Leb mobile app, for the development of local tourism. Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, explained why the European Union rallied behind this initiative. ‘Investing in Lebanon’s cultural and tourism sectors not only creates jobs and strengthens local economies, but also helps preserve the country’s diverse cultural heritage at a time of crisis’, he said. Elissar Baalbaki, Head of the Tour Guides Syndicate, emphasised the challenges of the sector and the importance of regulating the tour guide profession. Pascal Abdallah, responsible tourism expert, explained that the industry was moving towards more sustainable practices globally and that Lebanon needed a legal framework and some regulations in order to follow suit. Maguy Kostanian recalled the reasons behind the decision to create the label ‘Les plus beaux villages du Liban’ and the challenges that it faces in this context. Journalist and travel influencer Elsa Yazbek Charabati moderated the panel discussion. A cocktail reception and the visit of the exhibition followed.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

TAKREEM AMERICA, a leading organization dedicated to recognizing the significant contributions of the Arab diaspora, hosted its annual weekend at the iconic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on February 25, 2023. The event featured TAKREEM’s Awards Night and TAKminds Forum, both of which served as platforms for important dialogues aimed at fostering community and world improvement. At the Awards Night, TAKREEM AMERICA celebrated the exceptional achievements of selected laureates for 2023, comprising men and women who have made an outstanding impact in their respective fields. Among the honorees were: 1- Prof. Adah Almutairi for the Scientific and Technological Achievement Award 2- Mr. Maher Damak and Mr. Karim Khalil for the Young Entrepreneur Award 3- Ms. Nadine Chakar for the Corporate Leadership Award 4- Dr. Shihab Kuran for the Environmental Development and Sustainability Award 5- Mr. Habib Azar for the Cultural Excellence Award 6- Mr. Solvan Naim and Mr. Ibrahim Al Husseini for the Special Distinction Award 7- Mrs. Micheline and Dr. Francois Nader, as well as, Mrs. Ghada and Dr. Riad Irani for the Lifetime Achievement Award The Awards Night was hosted by leading anchor and journalist Ghida Fakhry. TAKREEM AMERICA’s Founder and Chair of the Board, Ricardo Karam, expressed the organization’s honor in recognizing the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of these remarkable individuals and said: « The objective of this annual weekend is to create spaces where people like us, like yourselves, like many more, can come together, from different countries, races, beliefs, genders, and origins. Spaces not only to celebrate change and success, but to learn from those who have achieved them, and help those who seek them. Platforms that celebrate brilliance, success, and changemakers, and help them write their stories ». The weekend activities included also the TAKminds Forum that featured 25 speakers who shared their experiences and insights on the following core themes: 1. LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL CHANGE discussed by Khaled Janahi, Emile Haddad, Micheline Nader, Lynn Mounzer, Sara AbuShaar, Peggy Bedoyian, Meymuna Hussein – Cattan, Thomas Abraham, and Deborah Pandit Sawaf 2. AI AND TECHNOLOGY presented by Adam Taha, François Zayek, François Nader, Mohamed Diab, and Tony Tannoury 3. ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY challenges presented by Maher Damak, Ibrahim Al-Husseini, and Shihab Kuran 4. ARTS AND DESIGN speakers, included Mohannad Malas, and Andy Cohen 5. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT speakers, included Bill Carpou, Jeff Wolfe, Fabian Battaglia, Bryan Liu and Sesha Neervannan The talks were impactful and eye-opening, providing insights into the future ahead of us and how we can be more prepared to deal with those changes. Attendees gained new knowledge and perspectives on a wide range of topics and left feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference. TAKREEM AMERICA Annual weekend which attracted more than 500 guests of Middle-Easterners and Americans, was a testament to the unity among the Arab diaspora in the Americas and highlighted the positive impact of Arab Americans on their communities’ development in the region. TAKREEM AMERICA is grateful to its patrons and many friends who believe in its mission and made the Event possible through their support.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

ANNAHAR: Salameh being investigated for second day in a row AL-JOUMHOURIA: Riyadh and Paris: Politics and Presidency Investigation with Salameh resumes today AL-AKHBAR: Questions surrounding gaps in enemy’s narrative about Megiddo operation: ‘Those who said that we will cross were mistaken, as we had crossed a long time ago’ ASHARQ AL-AWSAT: Pope Francis calls on Lebanese officials to unite, elect president during meeting with Mikati

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon