Green Cedar Lebanon, in collaboration with La Boutique du Musée and Mrs. Hania Rayess, organized a special cultural and literary event at the National Museum of Beirut to mark the book signing of Echoes of Eternity, a landmark publication dedicated to Lebanon’s protected cultural heritage.
The event, held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, brought together cultural leaders, partners, artists, and heritage advocates for an afternoon celebrating memory, identity, and collective responsibility toward Lebanon’s historic sites. The program featured a presentation on the 34 Lebanese cultural properties placed under Enhanced Protection under the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention, in coordination with UNESCO, followed by a discussion session with representatives of the Directorate General of Antiquities.
A Vision Rooted in Nature, Culture, and Memory
In her keynote speech, Ms. Pascale Choueiri, Founder and President of Green Cedar Lebanon, emphasized the symbolic importance of hosting the event at the National Museum of Beirut, describing it as “a living embodiment of Lebanon’s memory, resilience, and continuity.”
She reaffirmed Green Cedar Lebanon’s founding vision, which links environmental protection, reforestation, and cultural preservation as inseparable pillars of national identity.
“Preserving a country means preserving its nature, its culture, and its memory,” she stated.
Ms. Choueiri presented Echoes of Eternity as more than a heritage publication, describing it as “an act of transmission, responsibility, and collective memory.” The book documents and highlights sites that are often fragile and overlooked, yet of exceptional universal value.
In a country frequently exposed to crises, she stressed that cultural heritage is not a luxury, but a foundation for dignity and future generations.
A Collective Effort for Cultural Protection
Ms. Choueiri expressed her sincere gratitude to the National Museum of Beirut, Ms. Lama Salam, Ms. Nada Maatouk, and Mrs. Hania Rayess for their leadership and commitment to organizing the event. She also thanked the Directorate General of Antiquities and Mr. Jad Tabet, Adviser to the Minister of Education, for their continuous support.
She further highlighted the essential role of artists and cultural partners whose creativity and engagement gave the project its human and aesthetic dimension. Special appreciation was extended to Ms. Cathy Tyan, Treasurer of Green Cedar Lebanon, for her steadfast commitment to the organization’s mission.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
Concluding her address, Ms. Choueiri expressed hope that Echoes of Eternity would serve as:
-
A tool for knowledge and awareness,
-
A call for collective conscience, and
-
An invitation to protect the soul of Lebanon.
The event reflected Green Cedar Lebanon’s ongoing commitment to integrating environmental action, cultural preservation, and civic responsibility, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding Lebanon’s heritage for present and future generations.
About Green Cedar Lebanon
Green Cedar Lebanon is a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental protection, reforestation, and the preservation of Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage, promoting sustainable development and national identity through community engagement and advocacy.
