The Christmas Village 2016 comes to an end amid joyful Christmas moods

Moawad: We have not reached a State that satisfies our ambitions, but we have to appreciate the present stability that we are enjoying, in comparison with other countries

During a Christmas family cocktail reception that the President of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad and his wife Mrs. Marielle Moawad hosted at their residence in Zgharta, Michel Moawad gave a speech in which he said: “We have not yet reached the sovereign State that we aspire for, even though we did manage to elect a President of the Republic which is a positive step. We also have not succeeded in building a State that respects the Lebanese individual…” He also pointed out: “We have the right to aspire for the best and to put efforts to reach it, but we also have to appreciate what we have, compared to what is regionally happening around us…”
The Christmas cocktail marked the ending of ‘Christmas Village 2016,’ organized over three days by the Rene Moawad Foundation under the supervision of Mrs. Marielle Moawad, which included various religious and recreational activities.
Moawad had started his speech saying:
“To start with, I would like to extend to all of you my best wishes for Christmas and New Year. This meeting between us has become a yearly tradition. Christmas is the family’s holiday and you are the larger family with which we celebrate and share these special Christmas moments.
“I know that, as the year ends and the holidays are here, many of you do not feel satisfied with our present situation compared to the status that we aspire to reach.
“We have not reached a State that satisfies our ambitions, but we have to appreciate the present stability that we are enjoying, in comparison to other countries. The difficulties and problems that we are enduring – traffic problems, economic difficulties and other problems -, all form pressing elements on everyone.

“But I would say that as we do have the right to aspire for the best and to put efforts to reach it, but we also have to appreciate what we have, compared to what is regionally happening around us from Syria to Egypt, Sudan and other places, even in Europe. I see that we have to thank God that we are celebrating and rejoicing in an atmosphere of stability and safety here in Lebanon. It is a sacred right for us to stay in our land and practice our beliefs with freedom. This is the foundation of Lebanon’s structure.
“With this in mind, in my name and on behalf of my wife Marielle, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
After the cocktail, everyone went to the St. John the Baptist Cathedral’s square to participate in the musical recital offered by Mia Haddad, who is from Zgharta. The recital was attended by Michel Moawad and his wife, former MP Jawad Boulos, father Estefan Franjieh representing Bishop Boulos Abdul Sater, the head of the Mar Sarkis and Bakhos monastery Father Ibrahim Bou Rajel, along with representatives of associations and social, economic and educational organizations in Zgharta-Zawiyat.

Mrs Noeli Fenianos gave a welcoming speech praising the talent of the great singer and performer Mia Haddad the ‘daughter of Zgharta’, and praising her distinguished presence and dynamism.
Before she started her performance, Mia thanked the President of the Independence Movement and his wife for the ‘beautiful gathering’ and wished that Zgharta always enjoys moods of joy and holidays.

Mia then beautifully sang a collection Christmas songs along with some popular romantic Lebanese and international songs with which the audience interacted with applause dancing along.

On the previous day, the St. John Cathedral had welcomed the ‘Al Foursan Al Arba’a’ band, who offered Christmas carols and prayers with their exquisite voices, honoring the birth of the Savior and the Lebanese pure art. They also sang patriotic songs, in the midst of lively interactions with the audience, who applauded their distinguished voices for a long time. This was attended by: Michel Moawad and his wife, the president of the Union of Municipalities of Zgharta-Zawiyat Zeenni Kheir and his wife, the mayor of Zgharta Dr. Cesar Bassim and members of the municipal council, Sarkis Baha Doueihy the head of political relations in the Lebanese Forces, the coordinator of the Free Patriotic Movement in Zgharta-Zawiyat Paul Makari, the advisor to Minister Gebran Bassil Tony Maroni, the member of the Committee of districts in the Free Patriotic Movement Farid Hobeich, a number of mayors, moukhtars, representatives of associations and cultural, educational and social organizations, and a crowd of citizens from Zgharta-Zawiyat.
Gilbert Jalkh, one of the four members of the ‘Al Foursan Al Arba’a’ had given a brief speech thanking all those who planned and handled the organization of the recital. He thanked in particular the President of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad and his wife Mrs. Marielle. The beautiful voices of the four singers in the band soon filled the Cathedral and its surroundings, singing Christmas songs and hymns, which created an atmosphere of happiness, joy and interaction…

The ‘Al Foursan Al Arba’a’recital was preceded by a Christmas reception at the Moawad residence attended by a crowd of dignitaries and personalities including: the President of the Tripoli Bar lawyer Abdullah Al-Shami and Colonel Wajih Matta the Army deputy commander of the North region, principles of schools in the area, and heads of educational, economic, social and cultural associations and institutions.
‘Christmas Village 2016’ took place over three days and included a variety of Christmas performances and Christmas food exhibits presentations:
– Ghinwa’s theatre play ‘Ghinwa – La magie de NOEL’, which was attended by a large crowd of children who interacted happily with joy, exuberance and dancing along, and took souvenir pictures with Ghinwa and the play’s characters.
– The ‘Golden International Circus’ which amazed the audience (young and old), with stunning performances.
– Santa Claus had his own Santa House where children took souvenir photos with him along with their parents.
– The Christmas Parade and the Carrousel accompanied the ‘Christmas Village’ activities over the three days.
– The ‘Christmas Market’ was a special feature this year. It spread in homes and wooden platforms exhibiting Christmas products hand-made by local social associations, to support the ladies’ work and women’s economic power.
– The ‘Food Market’, occupied a large space at the Christmas Village square. It offers a wide range of food and cuisines.
– Portrait painting was offered and executed on the spot.