Play by Lebanese – American Michel El-Achcar

Entitled “Gibran Son of Life”
Preceded by paintings exhibition

In an effort to honor Lebanese creativity, and introduce the new generation to the Lebanese artist and writer Gibran Khalil Gibran, AUST hosted, in cooperation with the Gibran National Committee (GNC), a play at the UNESCO Palace. The play ran in parallel with an art exhibition of Gibran’s drawings as well as photographs taken throughout his life.

The event started with a welcome word by President of AUST Hiam Sakr, who addressed the audience of diplomatic, political, military, educational, and community representatives, in addition to secondary school students from schools all over Lebanon; she stated that hosting this play is part of AUST’s efforts to preserve Lebanese heritage and introduce the Lebanese youths to their ancestors’ educational, artistic and creative legacies.
In the following speech Dr. Chidiac, President of the GNC praised the AUST efforts for it keeps executing activities related to Gibran as the upcoming paintings exhibition and congratulated Michel El-Achkar for his devotion to Gibran, Michel El-Achkar who he keeps traveling with his play around the world.

The play that is in English with some of Lebanese conversation, is a monodrama performed by Lebanese American artist Michel El Ashkar. After spending several years researching extensively the work of the late artist and poet Kahlil Gibran, it became evident to Michel El-Ashkar that the personal life of this great man is as interesting and important as his paintings and writings. Enlightened by this notion and inspired by a certain affinity for his subject, El-Ashkar has attempted to bring Gibran’s world to life. He crafted a poignant two-act dramatic interpretation which chronicles many of the highlights of Gibran’s life and places emphasis on the pivotal people who had crossed his path. This play masterfully captured the very essence of Kahlil Gibran, the young, vibrant Lebanese who immigrated to America in the very early part of the twentieth century.

The play was greatly appreciated by the audience; moreover, they enjoyed the short film produced by AUST’s Department of Communication Arts about Gibran, and loved the booklet produced by AUST’s media center about the artist.