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Under the High Patronage of His Excellency, the President
of the Republic of Lebanon, General Emile LAHOUD, and in
collaboration with the concerned ministries, the first edition
of the "International Festival of Tradition & Tourism
for Lebanese emigrants" will break through early July
2003.
This first official gathering of Lebanese
emigrants from around the globe will be a "première"
in many aspects: first and foremost, it will bring, for
the first time, emigrants of Lebanese origin to share the
heritage and culture of their home countries with each other
while discovering and sharing the heritage and culture of
their motherland, Lebanon.
THE
CONCEPT
The "International Festival of Tradition
& Tourism for Lebanese emigrants" [IFTT] is meant
to become a yearly event aimed at encouraging cultural exchange
among the numerous countries adopted by Lebanese emigrants
and Lebanon.
Its aims are:
- To promote
cultural exchange and communication between those countries
adopted by Lebanese emigrants and Lebanon, creating a
"two way avenue" and building it up to become
a continuously active network.
- To promote tourism in Lebanon
in an interactive way through a yearly innovative event
welcoming emigrant associations and clubs from all over
the world to immerse themselves in Lebanon, its history,
traditions and culture.
THE PROGRAM
The "International Festival of Tradition
& Tourism for Lebanese emigrants" will be touring
a number of countries over the four continents; inviting
emigrants and their associations and clubs from all over
the world to visit Lebanon, accompanied by a press group.
From day one this program will be organized
in coordination with the concerned countries' Foreign Offices
and Tourism Boards as well as their Embassies and communities
in Beirut.
These groups will participate in the IFTT
bringing the best of their country's heritage and tradition
and sharing them during seven nights of special evening
parties.
The "International Festival of Tradition
& Tourism for Lebanese emigrants" is designed and
planned to be an extravaganza of multinational folklore
and national tourism, and is meant to bring Lebanon to the
world while at the same time bringing the world to Lebanon.
The "International Festival of Tradition & Tourism
for Lebanese emigrants" will open during an official
reception where the concerned Ministries will be hosting
the participants; it will also be concluded by a "Mega
Lebanese Night" where traditional Lebanese arts and
national folklore will mix with entertainment and culture.
During this final event, the trophy for the best "emigrants'
Night" will honor the best group and country for the
best heritage and tradition presentation. The winning country
will keep the trophy for one year, until the next festival
and the next competition!
THE
APPROACH
The "International Festival of Tradition
& Tourism for Lebanese emigrants" will offer a
unique tourism experience for the participating groups.
Lebanon's geography, history, culture and archeology will
be introduced and supported by multimedia presentations
prepared by experts in these fields. In addition, special
sight seeing and shopping tours will take them all over
the Lebanon (preliminary program attached).
Tailor-made individual visits will also
be programmed for those who wish to get to know their roots
and spend a day in their family's village of origin. The
"Festival Organizing Committee" will have prepared
this visit with the mayor, the local leaders and the village
community to make of this experience a true immersion in
original traditions.
A press conference will gather international
and local press, the visiting groups of emigrants and accompanying
press groups to exchange their final impressions and appreciation
of this experience, just before leaving Lebanon.
IFTT will benefit from extended media coverage
leaning on partnership with a satellite Arab TV station,
the active participation of the local and international
press and also the in-depth coverage of the professional
press accompanying the emigrant groups.
CONCLUSION
The High Patronage of His Excellency, the
President of the Republic of Lebanon, and the partnership
of the concerned Ministries and public organizations, along
with the support of the associations, syndicates and professional
groups of the Tourism and Information sectors, will give
the IFTT the scope and exposure deserving of such an exclusive
event.
The standards of LUBNANYIAT, as professionals
in tourism and event planning and implementation, backed-up
by the expertise of the "International Festival of
Tradition & Tourism for Lebanese emigrants" organizing
committee will guarantee a strict management and the best
quality in all the execution details of this project.
Fady BOU-DAGHER.
General Manager of LUBNANYIAT &
President of the IFTT Organizing Committee.
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