A Celebration of Khalil Gibran

Montegrappa has organized an amazing musical, visual and audio evening Sunday 19th at the Dubai International Writers Centre in historic Shindagha. It is a Celebration of the great Gibran Khalil Gibran, a literary hero.

The event was attended by the president of the Gibran National Committee of Lebanon, Dr. Chidiac, speaking about Gibran’s legacy, famous Lebanese TV presenter George Kordahi reading some of Gibran’s poetry, the amazing actor and script writer Nadim Sawalha talking about Gibran.
The Play “Rest Upon The Wind” that is touring the UAE the same week, and is produced by Ali Matar. Mohammed Harib, creator of Freij, was also there talking about (and showing some previews of) the much anticipated animated movie, ‘The Prophet’

Christine Belbelian from The Emirates Opera Project sang “Aatini Al Naya wa Ghani” a traditional Arabic song popularized by Fairuz, but based on words from Gibran’s poetry accompanied by Kamal Musallam on the Oud.

To top it all off, Katia Traboulsi who designed the Montegrappa Khalil Gibran pen collection unveiled her latest masterpiece, the Limited Edition ‘The Prophet’ pen.

The Dubai International Writers’ Centre is the first all-inclusive celebration of the written word in all its forms – writing; fiction and nonfiction; poetry; song lyrics; play writing; film scriptwriting; calligraphy – with a year-round programme of events catering to the multicultural and multinational communities living in the region.The Centre brings together people of various backgrounds, cultures and interests and is a meeting point for residents and visitors to interact with each other, other cultures and with the Emirati culture of Dubai. The Centre is also an international hub for writers, providing a space for visiting writers and writers-in-residence to impart knowledge and expertise to locally-based writers and users of the Centre.

The Emirates Opera Project is a collaboration of classical singers living in the United Arab Emirates. The Project comprises a group of musicians who meet regularly to perform together, to share ideas, and to search for talent in the UAE. Their aim is to produce the highest standard of music-making using local talent.

Rest upon the Wind, produced by Ali matter and scripted by Nadim Sawalha is the dramatic interpretation of the life of Khalil Gibran. Following the success of the global tour (UAE, London, NY) of the play in 2012, by popular demand, the play will be showing again in April in the UAE. Ali Mattar will be available to introduce the play and introduce a scene to be acted out.

Montegrappa the oldest Italian manufacturer of fine writing instruments founded as "Manifattura pennini d'oro e penne stilografiche" ("Maker of gold nibs and fountain pens") in 1912. Its products are still manufactured in its original factory by the shores of the river Brenta, in one of the parts of Bassano del Grappa—near Vicenza, in the North-East of Italy.
It also manufactures watches, cufflinks, belt key holdesr, business briefcases, credit cards cases and other products.

Montegrappa’s series of Genio Creativo limited edition writing instruments honours artistic giants including Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Verdi and Salvador Dali…

In honour of the year of his birth, and as homage to his Legacy, Montegrappa has collaborated closely with the Gibran National Committee, and renowned Lebanese artist Katia Traboulsy to manufacture a special edition of pens inspired by Gibran Khalil Gibran’s self-portrait, signature and paintings that were published in “The Prophet” book. The agreement between both parties Montegrappa and the GNCwas signed GNC in 2013.

The pens are made of resin in a colour reminiscent of the blue, black and grey prominent in Gibran’s paintings. This rich, dark hue is accented with palladium plated trim, while the fountain pen nib is two tone 18K solid gold and bears the famous face believed by many to be Gibran’s ultimate self-portrait.
All pens feature a pocket clip in the form of a hand with a solitary Sapphire set as the eye on the open palm, named the Divine World by Gibran himself. The face adorning the nib and the palm moulded into the clip are the most recognised visual references of Gibran’s art.
The base of the cap is inscribed with the writer’s signature, and the top of the cap bears the emblem of a ‘K’ overlaid on a ‘G’, a symbol found in the corner of many of Gibran’s paintings, his own personal logo.

Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet –Animation:

Inspired by the beloved classic, Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet book in a richly animated story and celebration of Gibran’s book, created by artists, animators, and musicians from around the world, written and directed by Roger Allers, Starring Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek-Pinault, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina, John Rhys- Davies and Quvenzhané Wallis.

The story portrays the unlikely friendship between a young mischievous girl and an imprisoned poet. The film has distilled the 26 poems in Gibran’s 1923 classic into a collection of eight animated films from eight directors.

Roger Alllers, Oscar Award Nominee and Director of the Lion King attended the night to give a unique insight into how he adapted “Gibran’s Prophet” the into a full feature animation movie. Inspired by the beloved classic, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet into a full feature animation movie.

George Kordahi is a renowned Lebanese Media and broadcasting mogul. Throughout his career, George Kordahi has saved no effort in utilizing his appeal for charity and he regularly supports charities in advancing their efforts for the public good. In addition to his achievements in the world of mass media, GK also holds a position as UN Good Will Ambassador, as well as several other honorary charity positions.