The Christmas Village 2014 started off the second day of activities with a Christmas recital by artist Aline Lahoud at Lady of Zgharta church.

The recital was attended by Bishops Maroun Ammar and Boulos Emile Saadeh, former Social Affairs Nayla Moawad, former MP Jawad Boulos and his wife Randa, Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad and his wife Marielle, Zgharta-Ehden mayor Chehwan Ghazal Moawad along with civil society figures and representatives of political parties including the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb.

Following the recital, Bishop Ammar praised the initiatives undertaken by the Rene Moawad Foundation and thanked Nayla Moawad and her son Michel for organizing the Christmas Village 2014.

Before the concert, Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad held a cocktail party at his residence in Zgharta that was attended by political officials, civil society figures and representatives of local economic, cultural and social committees. Moawad welcomed the attendees and urged all Zgharta residents to embrace the true spirit of Christmas despite their political differences. “The true spirit of Christmas unites us and likewise all Zgharta residents should live together in harmony, embracing diversity and accepting their political differences,” Moawad said. “We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope for better days in 2015 that see the election of a president and a state that will live in peace and prosperity,” he added.