13th June 2009
The World Lebanese Cultural Union – BC Council, celebrated the 125th Anniversary of Khalil Gibran (1883-2008) in British Columbia, Canada.
Khalil Gibran is the Lebanese-American poet & philosopher; born in Lebanon in the shadow of the holy cedars, and spent his adulthood in the shadow of the Skyscrapers of NY.
….” Because of his cosmopolitan background and education, he became first a student of, then an interpreter of the Middle East, Europe and America, through him the twain, east and west met in great fulfillment. He brought to his readers in English the poetry, family traditions, sagacity and philosophy of the middle east along with the great sweep of Christianity, Islam and Judaism”…
Since Simon Fraser University (SFU) is known for its commitment to intellectual and academic freedom, its pursuit of openness and to inclusively assure these commitments, responsiveness to the community, its belief in the interconnectedness of discovery, diversity, dialogue and its willingness to embrace risk in the service of creativity and innovation, the WLCU of BC believes
The best way to celebrate Gibran’s 125th anniversary was by offering the SFU a monument commemorating this well-known poet and philosopher. This monument consist of a granite book (2’ X 4’), with Gibran’s picture on a bronze plaque on one side of the book page, and a quote from Gibran’s poetry on the other page. The book is mounted on a concrete pedestal (2’ X 2’) and a height of 38” bearing a bronze plaque engraved on it WLCU in the two official languages (English, French) as well as in the Arabic language.
This monument as commemorative markstone to many Lebanese Canadian, as well as to all different ethnic groups and peoples from various Middle Eastern background. This monument is the first in Canada and was be the second outside Lebanon after Washington, DC at that time.
WLCU BC Council considered this monument as a gift of appreciation to the SFU and to its mission statement, to Canada, land of multiculturalism, diversity, peace and prosperity…
This monument was a start of a relationship between the Lebanese Diaspora and Simon Fraser University and this project attracted the attention of Middle Eastern students and Arabic speaking researchers toward SFU. As for the inauguration of this monument, a worldwide delegation attended the event.
The WLCU donated to the library a series of academic books in Arabic, French, and English about Gibran in particular and the Lebanese culture in General.
Afterwards, WLCU prepared a series of cultural events and participated in helping SFU to promote the teaching of Arabic language
This project was the second in British Columbia after the Lebanese memorial Cedar Tree in Queen Elizabeth Park inaugurated in 1995 and became a well known landmark.