Poland in Lebanon

The St. Anthony of Padua monastery (Khechbaw) in Ghazir harbored history, culture, and arts kindly opening its gates on the evening of November 7th to more than 250 representatives of the Polish and Lebanese authorities, Polish Military Contingent to UNIFIL, Polish Diaspora in Lebanon in addition to the spheres of culture, business, media, and the diplomatic and military corps attending the reception.

In 1837, Juliusz Słowacki, one of the greatest and most revered Polish poets of all times, decided to include Lebanon in his journey to the Middle East and spent 45 days among the monks at the monastery in Ghazir where he continued learning Arabic and sketched the first version of his acclaimed epic poem ‘Anhelli’. It is said that it was the trip to Lebanon that changed him as a man and an artist. “I should wish to find myself in Lebanon again”, wrote Slowacki in his diary years later longing to be reunited with the land of the cedars.

The event consisted of an experiential journey of two parts: 

A visit of:

*the new symbolic exhibition of the Museum of Literature in Warsaw titled: “Slowacki in Lebanon” in the monastic cell dedicated since 2003 to commemorate him and his Eastern voyage. The research done reflects the multifaceted nature of his journey, with an extra emphasis on his stay in Lebanon.
*A display of ALBA students’ artwork commissioned especially for the occasion.

A customized program took place at the spectacular church of the monastery with the Master of Ceremony being Mrs. Nadine W. Njeim. It included a short infographic video, speeches of the Ambassador and the Special Envoy representing H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister, and featured Nadine Nassar, renowned Opera Singer and awardee of the Medal of Merit from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The highlight of the event was a 20-minute multi-cultural production rooted in the Libano-Polish friendship with an exceptional collaboration of different partners mainly the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Lebanon, the Museum of Literature in Warsaw, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) with its first graduates and professors being Polish refugees who arrived to Lebanon in 1943 during the Second World War, the Université Saint-Joseph (USJ), founded by the Jesuit  Polish Father Maksymilian  Ryłło***, chorists from different Lebanese choirs and acclaimed musicians from Lebanese Classical and Oriental Orchestras.

This production combining different mediums and varied art forms customized to fit the beautiful monastery’s church featured a refined recording (soundtrack) by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra of “Anhelli” the symphonic poem of Ludomir Różycki, inspired by Słowacki’s prose poem written in the very same place 185 years ago, accompanied by a live classical quartet in addition to oriental instruments (Oud and Qanoun), choirs singing commissioned Arabic lyrics inspired by Anhelli.

The audience embarked on a multi-sensorial journey thanks to interactive visuals and animations in addition to theatrical readings in Arabic, Polish, English and French of Słowacki’s journal, letters to his mother and the last chapter of Anhelli.

The event, not only, aimed at promoting Polish culture. It also emphasized the evident Polish-Lebanese relationship that binds both countries since the 16th century seeking to promote Lebanon as a prime cultural touristic destination. It aspired also to empower Lebanese youth from prominent Lebanese universities by offering them a platform to create and collaborate, giving a meaning to their education and a rationale for staying in Lebanon despite the dire economic situation.

Yet have hope;
for hope will pass to future generations and give them life;

but if it dies in you, future generations will be dead.

Juliusz Słowacki, Anhelli

For further information, please check the below google drive link containing all necessary data relevant to the event. You can also reach out to the media focal point at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland: Mr. Mariusz Mieczkowski| mariusz.mieczkowski@msz.gov.pl | +961 70 248151

Google Drive Link for the event:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1APOznbJ_nduBAGTHjy3TMaQSfk5EVi2c?usp=sharing

Credits related to the Cultural Production & Commissioned Paintings
 

Concept Creation, Artistic Direction & Production: Embassy of Poland in Lebanon

“Anhelli” Symphonic Poem Recording: Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Michał Dworzyński- Agencja Muzyczna Polskiego Radia

Research, texts, and images: The Museum of Literature in Warsaw

Animation: Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA)

Mr. Alain Brenas (Director of the School of Cinema and Audiovisual Directing)
Mr. Kabalan Samaha (Professor of Multimedia)
Mrs. Araz Kelian (Professor of Animation)

Students

Cynthia Abboud
Joyce Abdelnour
Zeina Amine
Hassan Ballout
Leana Barbar
Mohamad Ghadboun
Jovan Jabbour
Maria Kadado
Elsa Kanaan
Christa Kashouh
Jessica Nahoul
Sara Murr
Giovanni Sabbagh
Rime Safwan
Elio Sahyoun
Noah Samaha
Nathalie Saoud
Gaïa Tayeh
Aya Maria Zoghbi

Visual Arts/Paintings: Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA)

Dr. Gregory Buchakjian (Director ad interim of the School of Visual Art)
Mrs. Noelle Farah (Coordinator)

Professors
Ricardo Mbarkho  

Youssef Aoun

Mansour Habre

Students

Nancy Abdelghafoor

Chaker Abi Rached

Christopher Atallah

Zeinab Bourgi

Yasmina Choueiri

Chloe Hajj

Nadine Kerbaj

Christina Maalouf

Roger Maaraoui

Theatrical Readings: Université Saint-Joseph (USJ)-IESAV

Mr. Toufic El-Khoury (Director of the Institute for Theater, Audiovisual and Cinematographic Studies- IESAV)

Directed by
Mrs. Betty Taoutel- Writer, comedian, director, and actress (Professor)

Students

Ayham Atiyeh

Gaelle Bou Moussa
Adam Jaber

Lynn Jammal

Yara Kallas

Kristina Khazen

Miriam Khazen

Jana Malaeb

Scenography of Theatrical Readings: Betty Taoutel & Embassy of Poland in Lebanon

Art Direction: Salwa Rahme

Arabic Lyrics: Poet Habib Younes

Special Arrangements: Tadeusz Melon

Quartet:
Mario Rahi

Eva Hadchiti

Aneta Nikliborc

Angela Hounanian

Oriental Instruments:

Qanun: David Abou Atmeh

Oud: Joseph Rouhana

Choir Master: Elie Hardan

Choir:

Rami Aidamouni (Technical Manager)

Waldo Abi Khalil

Mario Abi Ramia

Fadi Aidamouni

Jessica Dargham

Christiane El Moujabber

Jenny El Moujabber

Miriam El Moujabber

Georges Gebrael

Elie Khoury

Wissam Lahoud

Perla Nehme

Yara Nehme

Rita Ojeil

Elie Saad

Roxana Saade

Anhelli Polish VO: Embassy of Poland in Lebanon

Lighting & Special Effects: Bacchus Production

Sound : Blue Sound

Special Thanks to: Teddy Nasr & Rafic El Achkar

This project was only possible thanks to the great support of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, the Museum of Literature in Warsaw, the Lebanese Maronite Order who opened the doors of its Monastery, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra- Agencja Muzyczna Polskiego Radia, the Direction, students and professors of both the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) and the Université Saint-Joseph (USJ)-IESAV in addition to our partners: Prosec, Samana, Technica and KOR. The Catering Boutique and Tipplers are to be thanked for the Cocktail Reception.