As part of the scheduled activities at RMF’s ‘Christmas Village 2017’, a Christmas recital was performed at the St. John the Baptist Church square with singer Abeer Nehmé singing a variety of Christmas carols and songs, followed by a music performance by George Nehmé. The president of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad and Mrs Marielle Michel Moawad attended the recital. They were joined by Bishop Georges Abu Jaoudé, the head of the Maronite Parish in Tripoli; the Archbishop of Zgharta, Mgr Joseph Naffah; Bishop Boulos Emile Saadeh; the head of the Mar Sarkis and Bakhos monastery, Father Ibrahim Abu Rajel; former MP Jawad Boulos and his wife; the ‘Lebanese Forces’ coordinator in Zgharta, Fahed Gergis; the ‘Lebanese Forces’ political relations coordinator, Sarkis Bahaa’ Doueihy; the ‘Free Patriotic Movement’ head of the electoral campaign for the North, Dr Sayed Younis; the ‘Free Patriotic Movement’ Zgharta coordinator, Paul Makari; the former head of the ‘Kataeb’ Zgharta branch, Michel Bakhos Doueihy; in addition to regional dignitaries, mayors, mokhtars, personalities from the social, educational, cultural, civil and media sectors, and a vast attendance from the people of Zgharta-Zawiyat.

Earlier in the afternoon, a reception took place at the Moawad residence in Zgharta attended by political personalities, mayors, mokhtars, and representatives from social, educational, cultural, civil and media associations and organisations. Speaking at the event, Michel Moawad welcomed and thanked all those present:

“For me, Christmas is first of all a family holiday”, he said, “and I consider all of you present here as my larger family! Christmas is a time of hope and good wishes too. Let us, on this occasion, renew our wishes for hopefulness and goodness to bless our families and Zgharta-Zawiyat, which is our larger family. May the spirit of Christmas remain alive in our community. To face the difficult times that our region and all of Lebanon are presently facing economically and politically, I ask all of you to show solidarity with one another. The Zgharta-Zawiyat people always worked hand-in-hand in tough times.”

He added: “It is Christmas, so let us put aside our differences and work hand-in-hand with solidarity so that we all enjoy happy holiday times in Zgharta and all the villages and towns of Zgharta-Zawiyat. Let us fill the shops and markets with Christmas life, and bring joy to the heart of Zgharta and to all the Zgharta-Zawiyat localities. This is the way for us to express our sense of responsibility towards the region.”

“In my name, my wife’s name and on behalf of all the members of my family, I wish you all a Merry Christmas! May 2018 be a year of goodness!”