Green Cedar Lebanon proudly presented its latest publication, Echoes of Eternity, during a distinguished cultural gathering held at La Résidence des Pins, upon the kind invitation of Mrs. Maria Magro, spouse of the French Ambassador to Lebanon.
The event took place in the presence of members of the Diplomatic Spouses’ Association of Lebanon, representatives of diplomatic missions, and cultural stakeholders, as well as archaeologist Samar Karam from the Directorate General of Antiquities.
Held in this emblematic residence, a symbol of dialogue and cultural diplomacy, the gathering highlighted the vital role of culture in fostering international understanding and cooperation.
A Message Rooted in Nature, Culture, and Memory
In her keynote address, Ms. Pascale Choueiri, Co-Founder and President of Green Cedar Lebanon, expressed her deep appreciation for the invitation and emphasized the organization’s founding conviction:
“To preserve a country is to preserve its nature, its culture, and its memory.”
She outlined Green Cedar Lebanon’s long-standing commitment to environmental protection, national reforestation campaigns, agroforestry initiatives, school awareness programs, and cultural exhibitions linking sustainability with heritage preservation.
Ms. Choueiri described Echoes of Eternity as more than a publication, presenting it as an act of transmission, remembrance, and responsibility. The book is dedicated to Lebanon’s 34 cultural properties placed under Enhanced Protection by UNESCO, reflecting an exceptional international commitment to safeguarding the country’s heritage.
Celebrating Lebanon’s Civilizational Legacy
The publication offers, for the first time, a unified presentation of these 34 sites through academic research, photography, and artistic illustrations. It invites readers to rediscover Lebanon not only as the Land of the Cedar, but as a cradle of civilization.
From Baalbek to Byblos, from Tyre to Anjar, the book portrays Lebanon as an open-air museum and a living witness to human history, carrying the legacy of successive civilizations from ancient times to the modern era.
Ms. Choueiri stressed that presenting this work before diplomatic representatives carries strong symbolic meaning, affirming that heritage transcends borders and represents a shared responsibility among nations committed to peace and dialogue.
Gratitude and Collaboration
The President of Green Cedar Lebanon expressed her sincere gratitude to Mrs. Maria Magro for organizing the event and for her generous artistic contribution, including the drawing of the Baalbek columns featured on the book cover.
Special appreciation was extended to the Directorate General of Antiquities and to Ms. Samar Karam for their guidance and support, as well as to the artists whose creativity gave the project its human and aesthetic depth.
Ms. Choueiri also thanked her partners at Green Cedar Lebanon, Ms. Cathy Tyan and Ms. Nelly Zeidan, for their continued dedication to the organization’s mission and values.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability and Heritage
During the event, participants discussed the close link between environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. Green Cedar Lebanon reaffirmed its integrated approach, combining reforestation, women’s empowerment, and heritage safeguarding to promote long-term national resilience.
The gathering served as a platform for meaningful exchange and for strengthening cultural bridges between Lebanon and the international community.
International Participation
The event was attended by diplomatic spouses and representatives from:
🇮🇹 Italy | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 🇷🇸 Serbia | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 🇷🇴 Romania | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 🇫🇷 France | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | 🇱🇧 Lebanon | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 🇪🇺 European Union | 🇨🇱 Chile | 🇦🇲 Armenia | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
A Promise for Future Generations
Concluding her speech, Ms. Choueiri described Echoes of Eternity as a promise to future generations, a commitment to transmit the beauty of Lebanon’s landscapes and the memory of its history.
“May we, like the Cedar tree, remain deeply rooted in our past while extending our branches toward the future.”
About Green Cedar Lebanon
Green Cedar Lebanon is a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental protection, reforestation, women’s empowerment, and the preservation of Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage, promoting sustainable development and national identity through community engagement and advocacy.
