Many of us Lebanese in the U.S. feel a sense of deep yearning for the beautiful Lebanon depicted in our grandparents’ stories, celebrated in Fairuz’s songs, or experienced in our early childhood and teenage years. We want to experience Lebanon’s charm, re-live its history and culture, and preserve its allure and heritage for generations to come. TheLebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) offers us an opportunity to do all of that, and so much more, as it aspires to sustain a positive and magical narrative for today’s Lebanon —one that fulfills our longing, all while creating new and unique personal memories.
In support of the LMT’s mission, theLebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) hosted its first Annual GalaFundraiser at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut on December 5, 2014. The event brought together government officials, nature lovers and environmental activists, private sector representatives, and other distinguished guests, for a special celebration of the LMT and of the LMTA’s achievements. The gala fundraiser attracted five Platinum sponsors, including the American Friends of the Lebanon Mountain Trail (AFLMT), in addition to several Gold sponsors and a wide array of individual supporters.
In his opening remarks, outgoing LMTA President Karim El-Jisr extended a warm welcome to the audience and presented the LMTA’s past and ongoing programs, including for trail protection and maintenance, environmental awareness and advocacy, and in-school education. He outlined the Association’s achievements in 2014 and expressed his deep gratitude to all of those who supported the trail, contributing to the LMTA’s success. Lastly, he encouraged everyone to spread the word about the LMT and to encourage others to discover Lebanon’s wonderful culture and heritage by walking on the Trail.
Following El-Jisr’s comments, Lebanese Minister of Environment, H.E. Mohammad El-Mashnouq,commended the LMTA’s work and, referencing a famous Arabic proverb — “winds come in contrary to ships’ desires” —noted that “we are the wind, the ship, the captain, and the journey.”
During the evening, six pieces of artwork donated by Lebanese artists were auctioned off to support the LMT. The gala featured a seated dinner and a live performance by a professional vocalist and musicians that played lovely sounds from such traditional oriental instruments as the oud,riq, derbakke, and qanoun.
The AFLMT is proud of sponsoring the LMTA’s first annual gala dinner and extends its deep appreciation for all of those whomade this sponsorship possible through their donations to AFLMT. If you were unable to attend the event or support the trail in 2014, you can make donations to the AFLMT online at the AFLMT’s donation page. Thank you in advance for your support!
