SPEECH of UCLV president, Mr Michel Assef.
“Enthusiasm is like the top of the volcano where the grass never grows not from disappointment”.
Good morning. On this beautiful morning, I welcome you today in Caracas, the capital city situated at the foot of this majestic mountain; today is February 2, 2013 which is a remarkable day for the UCLV.
At the top of a volcano, dressed with joy and greatness, we present today the cultural space of Gibran Khalil Gibran, in the Area of Caracas, Venezuela, as a universal oasis in a multicultural city; I say universal because we realized the true legacy of Gibran’s work that reflects “The universality of this philosopher”… Simply because, any citizen who has the privilege of being in the vicinity of that space, can enter, unwind, enjoy, and allow his spirit to unite with nature; lying down in the grass, covered with the sky and the stars, be “alien to everything but God. ” We have created for all, a space to enter without membership, complicated procedures, or any sort of discrimination. Just enter into the space, and the rest is at the discretion of oneself. At this moment, in my mind, I visualize a virtual view of that space on a sunny morning in Caracas, with a morning breeze, laden with the scent of this beautiful mountain, sheltered by a cedar of Lebanon whose roots will sail deep in the Venezuelan soil, seeking freedom as nutrients to grow free, listening in the background to the music of “A3tini ennay waganni” by the heavenly voice of Fairuz which is close to eternity, while my footsteps crossing the flowering paths, reading Gibran’s thoughts on marble tables spread in the park, where the sentences are fused with each breath and my simple harmony with nature.
I visualize right now what any citizen can experience when entering this space; and I’m quite sure that many will enliven, free and universal. Why do I say that is because what we have achieved here is a reflection of the “Universality of Gibran. ‘
It is likely that many of you who are present will think that we are concluding an idea. In reality, our task this morning is to present you with a project in which we finalized its 1st stage. However, before going into details, first, I have to welcome our guests, who came from afar to experience and share these moments with us:
-Dr. Gaby Layoun, Minister of Culture of Lebanon, representing the Lebanese government, please feel at home. Venezuela will wrap you with its magic in the coming hours. Here, Minister,and guests are welcomed with outstretched arms…
In 1862 the first Lebanese immigrant landed on Venezuelan soil and today, and after 150 years, we are here to witness the sponsors and the project opening. This is only recognition of the Lebanese community toward the large Venezuelan family.
-Excellency and Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela Reverend Monsignor Pietro Parolin, you cannot imagine the feelings of elation that surround us this morning by your presence as a representative of the Holy See. We will be behind you with much obedience receiving blessings at the start of the inauguration.
-Excellencies Ambassadors of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria and Saudi Arabia, we owe you a fraternal greeting. Please feel that you are an integral part of this achievement. I hope to be able to coordinate future cultural activities with each other at different locations.
-Canadian diplomat has been with us step by step through progress of the work, with our neighbors you have come to appreciate the effort and dedication that we have given to tackle this project.
“Ahla w Sahla” to you all.
-United States of America, you share with us Gibran; this philosopher was born in Lebanon but died as an American. I should not only welcome you, but I will give you a copy of the keys to this space, to Sense it every time you want to talk about culture and meditation, thanks for coming.
Honorable Consul of Lebanon, Mr. Hazem Abdel Samad, Honorable President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, Honorable Secretary General, I just want to extend our respect. Sheikh Michel, thank you for coming from the other corner of the globe, from Australia, to closely monitor what your organization is doing on this side of the Caribbean. We hope to be up to your expectations and we want you to please send a fraternal greeting to the chapters and branches of the Lebanese Cultural Union worldwide. Secretary General, Mr. Antoine Kaddissi, you came from Brazil; this country has a privileged space in our hearts. You understand very well the Latin warmth that we both share when we receive our guests. Same way in Caracas like Brazil, we receive our guests with warmth and open arms.
Governor Tarek William Saab, you would say that the Cultural Union in Caracas was in race with you, who will finish his Gibran project first, if we are here, or you in Anzoategui, definitely we could not win with the perseverance of a governor rated “Gibranólogo” …Thank you Governor for coming. I also offer my welcome to Chacao.
Deputy Adel Zegayar, Deputy Yul Jabbour expected no less of you. I honor your presence. I agree with you not to use Gibran Khalil Gibran’s space for political labyrinths; our only goal here is to present the true image of Lebanon across Venezuela, as we do in Beirut, with Venezuelan culture in the streets of Lebanon.
Brothers, colleagues of our Organization, Vice President for Latin America chapter, presidents, representatives from Africa, Canada, the sister land of Colombia, United States, France, Lebanon, Mexico, Uruguay, Thank you all for your valuable presence in joining us on this glorious day in Venezuela. Exchange handshakes, distinctive appreciation, and respect for each other.
Here, I want to take a deep breath and speak loudly enough to thank all the people who have helped in this project. Many thanks to those who put enthusiasm, effort, time, energy, ideas, support, dedication, and money, or more …..Million thanks to you all.
Gibran once said: The root is the flower that gave up the fame, (2)
The Venezuelan Lebanese Cultural Union was for many years, invisible, nonexistent, unknown, buried underground. In reality, the roots renounced all the fame; praise did not interest us, we are not after glory, but we are for a country that still writes history. These roots that appeared today will just bloom a fruit that is full of gratitude and affection to Caracas, Venezuela. To all, a dream that can only be achieved with great wills, free spirits, and determined hands.
Opening today this Oasis, Venezuelan Lebanese Cultural Union, truly honor Gibran’s Lebanon, away from hatred, Lebanon free, independent, sovereign, tolerant, beautiful, tender, full of peace and love of life, that same Lebanon Gibran meant when he spoke of corruption, “You have your Lebanon and I have mine”. In this same day Lebanese Thanked Venezuela. I give you this little present to say thank you for having us here for 150 years, thanks to Venezuelan villages, towns, cities, plains, coasts, mountain ranges, islands, and mainland. Thanks to this country, where thousands of us were born and circumambulated and made roots, finally forming a fundamental element of the social fabric Creole.
Gibran also said: “Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it so that the other half will come to you”, We just assure you that we strive for what we say and do, has meaning and not wasting time.
Thank you very much