After 4 years, 150 youth returned back to Lebanon from July 16th – July 28th, 2023 through the World Lebanese Cultural Union Youth Councils World Congress titled LEBolution, A global movement, a revolution of the mind and for the country, empowering Lebanon and its young diaspora.
Traveling from 18 different counties, 5 continents, to reconnect with their roots, their motherland, their fathers land, their ancestral land. A country which has been through the unimaginable over the past few years, working to get back on its feet, and just through this short period of time on Lebanese soil, this group was ready to explore and discover the beauty of the homeland, connect with the land of their ancestors, and participate in a series of cultural, social, and humanitarian activities across the country.
This is the Power of LEBolution!
Day 1
Our first day of LEBolution 2023 was kicked off with registration where we collected the following donations:
- 1000+ packages of medicine including chronic medications for Medonations
- 300+ pieces of hygienic products for the Lebanese Food Bank
- 300+ pieces of clothing for Lebanese families in need for Caritas Lebanon
- 300+ school supplies to support children’s education for Beit El Baraka
- 300+ batteries to families in need for Notre Dame Du Mont
The opening ceremony was the best way to kick off this unforgettable journey and then we were off to Ghazir, welcoming us with a beautiful sunset and dinner in the Municipal Park, where the night gave us music, delicious food and the beginning of eternal friendships.
Day 2
Was a lovely day in the beautiful Chouf region! First on the list was a visit to Deir Al-Qamar for a lovely walking tour with the help from the great local youth of Deir El Qamar Guide, of course a stop to the Beiteddine Palace, lunch and outdoor activities in Ramliyeh alongside the Association for Forests, Development & Conservation, ending the day with a warm welcome to Chartoun hosting us a traditional village dinner and festival!
Day 3
Our WLCU World Youth Congress day hosted by the Lebanese American University in Jbeil and an evening in Mayfouk was how Day 3 rolled out!
One of the most important days of LEBolution is our WLCU World Youth Congress day which is hosted year after year in collaboration with the LAU Jbeil campus! This year, through experts from different backgrounds, a space for education and curiosity on the current state and the work that needs to be done in order to move towards a better Lebanon was created. The topics covered were the following:
- “Collective Memory and Lebanese History” – Dr. Makram Rabah
- “Lebanese Cinema and the Diaspora” – Mr. Sam Lahoud
- “Zero Waste is NOT Science Fiction” – Mr. Ziad Abi Chaker
- “Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women” – Ms. Carol Khater & Maitre Brigitte Chelebian
- “Lebanon and You! Connecting with the Diaspora for a Better Homeland Future” – Dr. Kamil Jbeily
The day’s lunch was brought together and in support of numerous amazing local vendors from across Lebanon, Matbakh Georgina , Karma Cookhouse and Souk El Balad Community Market to name a few, and Hilmi’s House of Lemonade sponsored the refreshments of the day, keeping us alert and focused!
Following this was a visit to Mayfouq in Byblos where we visited a few monumental spots and then made our way to a traditional karawiye dinner! A huge thanks to everyone who helped make the day perfect!
Day 4
TRIPOLI … Ṭarābulus! Day 4 was all about peace and unity!
The day was kicked off with a warm welcome to the Chamber of Commerce followed by a visit to the Governor of Tripoli and North Lebanon! Next up was a visit to the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s Rachid Karami International Fairground, a UNESCO’s World Heritage site.
An iconic LEBolution tradition is the LEBolution Peace Wall, an activity carried out in Tripoli since 2015, signifying peace and unity between the diaspora and Lebanon. Our mark was left, once again, to revisit one day again in Tripoli.
After embarking on a visit to the Tripoli Castle, Lunch at Hajj Ali, and of course a well awaited stop to the Hallab Sweet Shop, we headed to the beautiful Batroun for some drinks and great vibes by the Mina for the night!
Day 5
Day 5 was the exploration of Bcharre and Ehden!
Starting our day in Bcharre, our first visit was to the Gibran Khalil Museum, next to of course an iconic spot, the Cedars of God Reserve, and then Lunch with the most breathtaking view. Ehden followed with exploration and dinner in the Midan.
Day 6
Started our day touring Sunny Saida and ending our day on a boat watching the sunset off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Tyre, Day 6 was one for the books!
Saida was our first stop of the day where we made visits to a handful of key spots, the Saida Castle, Soap Museum, the Debbene Palace, and Hamam Al Jadeed, roaming around the old souks alongside the Hariri Foundation! A warm welcome and lunch was then hosted at Villa Hariri followed by our departure to Tyre for a quick informative stop at the Imam Sadr Foundation! In Tyre, boats were awaiting us at the port, taking us off into the Mediterranean Sea for sunset, dancing the night away!
Day 7
WE LOVE BEIRUT, the capital and largest city in Lebanon! Day 7, was a hit!
This day was in collaboration with the amazing volunteers of the Youth National Development starting off at the Beirut National Museum, a visit to the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral, and of course, to the Port of Beirut. Souk El Tayeb was our stop for lunch and Lebanese local goodies then continuing our adventure to Zeitouna Bay and The Raouche!
Ghazir was where our dinner was held and after that, the BARTY to get a taste of Lebanon’s insane nightlife!
Day 8
Day 8 was all about the natural beauty of Lebanon, a day in the nature!
Through the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative and the Youth Conservation Corps we had a warm welcome to the Arz Ehmej Conservation Park where we took part in a beautiful hike through Ehmej, planting seedlings and other plants, and had lunch in the heresh! We then drove to Baloue Balaa for a visit, grabbed a quick snack thanks to the super sponsors at Grapeful before departing to Annaya to catch the sunset at Mar Charbel, which as always, is breathtaking. The night ended in beautiful Jbeil!
Day 9
Harissa and the Beach, a perfect combo that made up Day 9!
A peaceful visit to Harissa started off the day and from there, we headed to Plage Des Rois in Byblos to enjoy a full day at the beach, relaxing, unwinding, and dancing the night away!
Day 10
Day 10, we kickstarted the day bright and early to the Bekaa!
The Baalbek Roman ruins were the first stop of the day! We then departed to the wonderful Zahle where we took part in a tour of the Gardenia Grain D’Or Headquarters followed by lunch and then off we went to stop #2 which was a quick and warm visit to the Municipality of Zahle! Stop #3 included a pleasant surprise, a zafee entrance as we made our way into the Berdawni for some iconic Berdawni Icecream! A Chateau Ksara wine tour was up next and then, off to dinner and an unbelievable sahra at Siraj by The Monte!
Day 11
To the Metn we went! Alo alo Day 11!
We started off the morning departing to Dhour Shweir for a walking tour and a light bite, then to Sannine for a quick stop at the Michael Neame statue, and then Baskinta! We had an unforgettable late lunch thanks to Jar el Kamar. We ended the day catching the sunset at the cross of Qanat Bakish.
Day 12
Day 12, the memorable last day of LEBolution 2023.
The Moujawal Airborne Regiment Lebanese Army base in Ghousta was our first visit of the day filled with a number of exhilarating hands-on activities alongside the Honorable General Maroun Bou Halloun and his team. After this amazing start to the day, the Jeitta Grotto was the next stop for some of the youth. To close off not only the day but also the trip as a whole, the WLCUY LEBolution 2023 Closing Gala was held at Kasr el Snawbar in Ghazir and was filled with good food, the traditional cultural exchange, and of course the greatest of vibes!
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