"Kahlil Gibran e l'Italia"

The Italian Cultural Institute, in collaboration with the EduLibano Association and the Beirut Arab University, and in participation with the GNC, has organized a conference entitled:"Kahlil Gibran e l'Italia" in which Professor Francesco Medici took major part projecting detailed PowerPoint file on the relation between Gibran Kahlil Gibran and Italy inspired by a paper of his included in the 2nd international Gibran conference at Maryland University – Maryland – USA back to May 3-6, 2012.
In his speech prepared with Miss Maya eL Hage, Prof. Francesco Medici stressed that Italian readers became acquainted with Khalil Gibran only in 1936, when the first translation of The Prophet was published. He also stressed, Gibran’s predilection for Italy, is traced back to his childhood in Lebanon, when he copied some of the paintings of religious significance brought by Italian pilgrim priests who stayed at Mar Sarkis monastery next to Bsharreh and were hosted by Father Estephan Rahmeh, Gibran’s grandfather; and when Gibran’s mother Kamleh Rahmeh gave him a book featuring reproductions of works by Leonardo da Vinci, which made a great impression on the young boy.
He added, it is not known whether Gibran ever visited Italy, but it is obvious that Italian art, literature, culture, all played a decisive role in Gibran’s career as an artist and a writer.

Dr. Chidiac, in his speech welcomed and praised Prof. Medici for his devotion to Gibran Khalil Gibran and copious activities related to Gibran and others.