The Gibran National Committee launched the opening of its annual summer festival "Gibranic Days" commemorating the renowned Lebanese author and philosopher Gibran Khalil Gibran, with a Russian twist on July 20, 2013 at the Gibran Museum in the northern village of Bsharri the hometown of Gibran.
The Russian Folklore Night was organized by the GNC, the Russian Cultural Center in association with the Russian speaking women in Lebanon Rodina and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lebanon.
The museum's Mary Haskell Courtyard, which was once the Monastery of Mar Sarkis, was filled with spectators singing the Lebanese and the Russian National Anthems at the opening of the festival that began with a Russian Folklore ballet performance.
The program:
| 11.00 - 22.00 : | Exhibition of Russian Handicrafts |
| 18.30 - 19.30 : | Workshop for Russian Folklore Dances |
| 20.30 – 22.30 : | Russian Folklore Night |
The Charge d'Affaires Mr. Vyacheslav Maksudov representing H. E. Mr. Alexander Zasypkin Ambassador of the Russian Federation Embassy to Lebanon, Dr. Ayrat Akmetov Director of the Russian Cultural Center, Mrs. Svetlana Safa Director of Rodina, a number of figures, including mayors, municipal officials, former presidents of the GNC, and MP Elie Keyrouz, were present for the festivities.
Gibran National Committee President Tarek Chidiac stressed in his opening speech that the memory of Gibran would never be extinguished, regardless of the political difficulties in the country and across the region."Gibranic Days" represent the coming together of all Gibran lovers, in Lebanon and the world, he added.
Chidiac promised similar festivities would come through the years to come.
Colorful lights hanging from the trees of Mar Sarkis Forest encircled the museum, as the celebration kicked off with more than 25 performers presenting Russian folklore dances.
Musician Margarita Brundina performed piano solos originally composed for Gibran, as well as songs from his famous book "The Prophet" sang by Vladmir Gerts in Russian in additional to Russian folkloric songs that resonated throughout the monastery and the nearby forest.
