Upon an invitation from the WLCU-Venezuela,(UCLV), the WLCU– British Columbia Council participated at the inauguration of Gibran Kahlil Gibran’s library and site in Chacao, Caracas – Venezuela!
On January 31, 2013, the delegation headed by Henry Zarifeh consisted of five members: Dr. Nick Kahwaji, Pascale Kahwaji, Henry Zarifeh, Jamalle Zarifeh, and John Abou Samra, were aboard the plane to Caracas to attend the inauguration. The delegation took some Canadian presents, and a Lebanese cedar tree
Day 1):
On February 1, 2013, WLCU – BC Council delegation arrived in Caracas. They were welcomed by Mr. Michel Assaf who arranged their stay at the Marriot Hotel. The Lebanese Minister of Culture, Mr. Gaby Layoun arrived along with the WLCU leaders to Marriot Hotel. It was some sort of an easy day to recuperate for some people who came a long way to Caracas. In the evening, Minister Layoun and the entire WLCU delegations were invited to a dinner organized and hosted by the Ladies Association of Zoghorta. It was a welcoming and friendly evening where the Lebanese Minister, World President and members of the Lebanese community exchanged words of unity, the love and passion for their country Lebanon, and talked about our civilization and culture.
Day 2):
On February 2, 2013, the ceremony took place at 11:00 am at the Metropolitan District of Chacao, Caracas, where the Gibran’s library and centre are built. The distinctive color of Chacao’s flag is orange; thus, the reception area was decorated with bright orange colors, the chairs were nicely wrapped with orange sashes; women and children wore or carried something with orange color to express their celebration of the occasion.
The inauguration was under the patronage of Mr. Gaby Layoun, the Lebanese Minister of Culture, representing the Lebanese Government. Many officials were present:
Mr. Hazem Abdul Samad – The Lebanese Consul in Venezuela, Mr. Emilio Grateron – Mayor of Chacao and the City Council; Arabs,Canadian, and Venezuelan dignitaries, and many members of the Lebanese community.
Among the WLCU attendees was:
Mr. Michel Doueihi – WLCU WP and his wife Zita (Australia)
Mr Toni Kaddissi, WSG. (Brazil)
Mr Chakib Rammal, President of Ghana National council. (Africa)
Dr Fernando Helou, Latin America Regional President. (Colombia).
Mr Alberto Cheker, Past World VP, and his Wife Antonella. (Uruguay)
Mr Fadi tawil, Mexican National council. (Mexico)
Mr Roger Hani, Europe Regional President. (France)
Mr Antoine Menassa President of HALFA-Homme d’affaires libanais-(France)
Mr Henry Zarifeh, BC Council President and his wife Jamalle.(Canada)
Dr Nick Kahwaji, Representative of WLCU to DPI-UN and his wife Pascale.(Canada)
Mr John Abou samra, LCS of BC (Canada).
Local UCLV officers and members
Minister team members:
Mr Elie Nawfal (office of the minister Layoun)
Mr Ghassan Mekari (Representative of free Patriotic Movement in Venezuela
Mr. Michel Assaf, President of the National Council of the World Lebanese Cultural Union Venezuela opened the ceremony and thanked every person who helped financially, and those who volunteered their time and expertise to bring the Gibran’s project into existence He emphasized that this project is offered from the Lebanese community to the Venezuelan people on the occasion of the 150 years of the Lebanese presence (1862-2012) in Venezuela. (Check his full speech).
In appreciation of Mr. Assaf’s hard work and perseverance, the Mayor awarded him with the orange sash of the District of Chacao.
After the opening, the Minister of Culture, Mr. Gaby Layoun had his speech saying that the Lebanese Diaspora brings prosperity, tolerance, excitement to this country. He continued saying that “I came here to draw a picture of our first nation perhaps it was distorted by distance ….” (Check his full speech). 
The WLCU World President, Mr. Michel Doueihi took the podium and thanked the Mayor and the city officials and the Venezuelan authorities who contributed to this important project. Douiehi said that, “politics divided the Lebanese people but Gibran, the genius brought people together” ….. (Check his full speech).
The Mayor, Mr. Emilio Grateron, commended the Lebanese Community in Venezuela and the WLCU members for their hard work and achievements. (Check his full speech).
Following the speeches, The Mayor invited Michel Assaf, Minister Gaby Layoun, WP Michel Doueihi, and Mr. Chakib Rammal to come forward to unveil the commemorative plaque placed at the entrance of the lower level of where the stairs lead to the second level where the library is, surrounded by a garden, where the unveiling of an engraved picture of Gibran, and engraved quotes of Gibran in Spanish were also took place. This picture was at the entrance of the library inside the garden.
At this site, appetizers were offered while watching a Dabke performance on the tunes of Toni Hanna and Assi Hellani. Congratulatory and appreciative words were given to the Venezuelan team for this amazing site. Pictures were taking by proud people to mark this historical event.
Mr Edmund and Angel Kabchi, invited Minister Layoun and the out of town guests for a nice lunch at the Lebanese Club. Everyone was thankful for this hospital gesture.
The day did not finish here. Mr. Assaf and the UCLV members had planned a dinner for more than 200 people– free of charge; a token of appreciation to all the people that contributed to the success of the Gibran’s project. All out-of-town guests were also invited. Thank you Michel and the team for this gesture and for your hospitality.
At the dinner party, Mr. Chakib Rammal, President of the National Council in Ghana, took the stand and thanked the Venezuelan team for the hard work (Check his full speech).He detailed the relationship between Lebanon and its Diaspora.
He presented Mr. Gaby Layoun, Mr. Michel Doueihi, and Mr. Michel Assaf with gifts brought from Ghana as souvenirs for this occasion.
Mr. Henry Zarifeh, President of WLCU – BC Council
gave his speech saying: “I would like to thank Mr. Michel Assaf and his team on this amazing project. Because we were the pioneer in erecting Gibran’s monument at Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, British Columbia – Canada in 2009, we understand how much time and effort are involved in a project like this. So, any activity that involves Gibran, we feel that we are an integral part of it. We have limited edition of Gibran’s small statues for his 125th anniversary that I would like to present them to Mr. Assaf’ s team.”
The statues were presented to the following:
–
o Dr. Raimundo Kafrouni.
o Talal El Ahmad.
o Kemel Mourad.
o Rafael Mourad.
o Elias Tannous.
o Abdoul Nabi Chaaban 
Also, Mr. Zarifeh presented Mr. Gaby Layoun, with a Maple Leaf Award, a representation of Canada. He also presented Mr Assaf, Mr. Rammal, Mr Doueihi, and Mr kaddissi with a special gift from Canada.
Dr. Nick Kahwaji presented Mr. Michel Assaf with a big statue of Gibran and a souvenir from British Columbia.
Dr Fernando Helou, President of the Latin American regional council, expressed his
Gratitude toward this cultural project; he congratulated the UCLV and the Lebanese community for a job well done.
Mr Assaf thanked his team for their support, dedication, and sacrifice during the past years to make the Gibran cultural space a reality.
He also thanked his Wife Dr Laila Assaf for her support during the years of preparation while she was working at the Lebanese Embassy, and raising two little kids.
It is true that “there is a great lady Behind a successful man”.
Day 3):
On February 3, 2013, The Association of the Lebanese Ladies of Venezuela (ADALIVE -Asociacion de Damas Libano-Venezolana) invited Minister Layoun and the WLCU delegations for a day to Mount Avila. A bus transported all the guests half way through and the other half of the way by 4X4 cars to the mountain. It was a very amazing experience; The mountain is 1800 meters above sea level and the roads are very narrow, steep, and winding but reaching the top of the mountain to a spectacular view of the city is worth the ride. A very welcoming and delicious lunch was served.
Minister Layoun, Michel Assaf, and Mr Doueihi,and Mr Chakib Rammal,and Consul Hazem Abdul samad planted a Lebanese cedar tree to commemorate the celebrations
A Lebanese Cedar tree born in Becharre – Lebanon, travels to British Columbia, and will grow in Caracas.
What a dedication! Words cannot express how much Dr. Nick Kahwaji is proud of his roots and wants to see the cedar tree of Lebanon in every country that he visits.
He went through many paperwork and obstacles to get the cedar tree from Lebanon to Canada. After many attempts and time consumed, he was granted the official permit from the Canadian government to allow him import cedar trees from Lebanon to Canada.
While in Lebanon in July 2012, Dr. Kahwaji, accompanied by Camille Louis (LCS secretary) and Mr Halim Louis visited Becharre nursery (upon recommendation of Dr Rashid Rahme-former WLCU officer) and was successful in bringing a handful of cedar trees from Lebanon to British Columbia – Canada. These cedar trees are so dear to Dr. Kahwaji that he is taking care of them as if they are members of his family.
Upon the request of UCLV, He took with him one of these cedar trees to Caracas. The cedar tree-is considered a symbol of friendship between WLCU –BC and the UCLV. After the ceremony the gifted cedar tree was planted at the Avila Mountain.
Good Luck growing and may this tree remind all Lebanese
people of their everlasting Lebanon.
Day 4):
On February 4, WLCU BC Council delegates visited Los Rocas, and paid tribute to WLCU Founder the late Farid Mattar.
To complete their visit, the WLCU BC Council delegates felt a deep desire to visit the monument that called “Los Rocas” or “El Muro”.It was built for over 20 years by Farid mattar, who dedicated this place for the culture, peace, and freedom.
A big gratitude to Edwin Farid mattar, who volunteered his time to guide us through the different monuments and telling us about the milestone of the historical period when these “modern ruins” were erected piece by piece and how in every corner there is a dedication to a great person who visited Mr. Mattar or to an idea that he visualized.
We promised Edwin to post the book of his dad on the web to keep his memory alive.
Edwin and Carla matter, please accept our appreciation and gratitude for your hospitality and quality time spent with you. The food at the restaurant of your choice was excellent. Thank you again.
A special thank you is extended to Mr Edmund Kabchi who offered his own personal jet and took Minister Layoun, Mr. Chakib Rammal, Mr. Michel Assaf and other team members for a memorable trip over the highest Cascade in Caracas and over the Amazonian forest. They were all very thrilled with this full-day trip
The Last day of the trip was spent with Ali Merhi and Assaf family
With the assistance of Mr Ali Merhi, the brother of our friend Mike Merhi of Vancouver, we were able to visit the city of Caracas, we went to the “Cota mile”, and other parts of the city .We were happy to learn more about the history of venezuela and the integration of the Lebanese in the local culture
In the evening, Mr. Michel and Laila Assaf invited us for a “Family dinner” at the Marriott Hotel. Though we felt at home but we were ready to come back to BC with lots of memories and the convictions that the Gibran event will be the start of a big change in the life of millions of Lebanese people in Venezuela and in Latin America
The WLCU – British Columbia Council members would like to thank Mr. Michel Assaf and UCLV members, the Ladies Association of Zoghorta, and the Association of the Lebanese Ladies of Venezuela (ADALIVE -Asociacion de Damas Libano-Venezolana).for their hospitality and welcome. The ride to the mountain was an awesome experience. Thank you again. Much appreciated