We have been asked by the American-Lebanese website, www.cedarsusa.com to help in the promotion of a new book on the Phoenicans. The site will make a donation to a charity in Lebanon for every book sold, which can be purchased online via the site with Amzaon.com at $19.11.

The book, "Phoenicans - Lebanon's Epic Heritage" by Sandford Holst was published this month by Cambridge & Boston Press in English. Its ISBN reference number is 1887263306. The press release for the book says that the author spent some thirty years of research for the book and that " it is finally possible to present the most complete picture of Phoenician history ever assembled. Some of the findings are quite a surprise". To read more about the author his website is at www.sanfordholst.com

The forward to the book is written by Dr Antoine Khoury Harb, a distinguished professor of history and archaeology in Lebanon and Secretary General of the Fondation du Patrimoine Libanais. He is an authority on the history of the Lebanese people and patrimony.

The Lebanese French speaking newspaper, L'Orient Le Jour features today a review of the work of Valéria Beard and Roger Moukarzel on the Wadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Chapels & Monasteries of the Middle Ages. Reference is made of the Saydat el Hosn in Ehden.

The review in French can be read on the Full Story Page.
Full Story

The International Beirut Arab Book Fair, being held at the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Centre (BIEL), from 9th to 25th December 2005, is the venue of two publication events for Zgharta authors.

On Friday, 16th December,Rachid Daif signed copies of his new novel "Awdat Al Almani Ela Roshdeh" published by Dar Riad Publishing House.

On Sunday,18th December, at 6pm the publishers Dar Al Nahr are hosting the international launch of the publication of the collective works of the late George Yammine.

Click here for PDF of the press reports of the launch of the works for George Yammine at the Arab Book Fair.

To disprove the many stereotypes, both old and new, of Zgharta Zawie, this Friday proves that we are more than mere headlines. As we report throughout the year there is an active community of writers, artists and poets in Zgharta Zawie.

On Friday at 7pm, the poet, Jermanous Jermanous, will be signing copies of his second collection of poems, at the Milad Ghazal Mouawad Cultural & Sports Centre, Zgharta. Jermanous has recently return from Australia and his friends have organised the event.

The principal guest of the evening is the well-known poet Mousa Zghaib. Also attending will the poets Antoine Sebalany and Fawazi Yammine; Assaad Jouan, the President of the Twenty Poets Salon; and Ammar Chalack who will read a selection of Jermanous's poems.

The evening will be presented by the writer and journalist Mehsen Yammine.Cocktails will be served at the end of the evening.

Beauty contestant and model, Lamita Frangieh of Zgharta, represented Lebanon on Saturday, 10th December 2005 at the Miss World Contest in Sanya, China. The crown was awarded to Miss Iceland.

The global television audience for the final was estimated to be more than two billion in 207 countries.

Her contest's profile is below, all credit to her for promoting Zgharta.

"Lamita was born in Zgharta and raised in Beirut. It is a beautiful city in the North of Lebanon where the weather is glorious and ideal for tourism. Having completed her education, she took a course in Psychology of Young Children. Currently she is modelling, working as a fashion editor on the Beauty of Fashion section for a magazine and preparing for a TV Show. It is her ambition to be a successful businesswoman, wife and mother. Hobbies and interests are: Tennis, skiing, swimming, travelling, and her favourite music is: Pink Floyd, Techno & Jazz. Favourite food: Seafood, Sushi, Italian, and of course Lebanese cuisine. Personal motto is - Reality is a name we give to our disappointments."

The photograph is of Lamita taken for the contest.

On Karim El Koussa’s return from his American book tour of “Pythagoras: The Mathemagician”, we met up with him.

Read our interview with him by clicking on the Full Story tab.

The photograph shows Karim (left) with former American Ambassador to Lebanon, Vincent Battle
Full Story

In today's Lebanon French language newspaper, L'Orient Le Jour, they feature new books published by Dar An Nahar. One author featured is that of Zgharta born author, George Yammine.

To read the article click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

Lebanon's Francophiles have been enjoying themselves at the "14th Lire en Francais et en Musique", the French showcase for literature and music. It is being held at the BIEL (Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Centre) between 10th and 20th November 2005.

Of particualar local interest, visitors attending last Tuesday evening,15th November, would have heard Zgharta author, Rachid El Daif , taking part in a conference called "Qu'est-ce que l'autofiction ? "

Rachid was born in Ehden, 1945 and studied Arabic Modern Literature at the Université de Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle. He is an Assistant Professor at the Lebanese University.

We reported last year the Zgharta film premiere of "Zinar al Nar", based on a story by Rachid and that he participated in a cultural exchange programme called " West - Eastern Divan". His books in English translation include : Dear Mr. Kawabata ( London: Quartet, 1999); This Side of Innocence (Interlink Publishers) ; Passage to Dusk. Austin (University of Texas Press).

Karim El Koussa, Zgharta author, was an invited guest of the René Moawad Foundation Charity Gala, held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Pentagon City, VA , last Saturday week, 5th November.

During the evening Karim signed copies of his recently American published novel, Pythagoras: The Mathemagician. Among those who received signed copies were the Minister for Social Affairs, Mrs. Nayla René Moawad and the former American Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Vincent Battle.

To see photographs of Karim at the Gala click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

We are please to report that Zghartawien author, Karim El Koussa, is well and enjoying his American book tour of his novel, Pythagoras: The Mathemagican.

In addition to a friendly welcome from America generally, Karim in recent days is being fêted by the Connecticut -Lebanese community in particular.

To read more about Karim's tour and see photographs of his meeting at Waterbury,Connecticut,click on the Full Story tab. The photograph opposite is of Karim and the Mayor of Waterbury,Michael Jarjura.
Full Story

As this article appears Zgharta author, Karim El - Koussa, will be in the sky on route to the USA. He is going for the American launch of his novel, "Pythagoras: The Mathemagician", which is being published by Cloonfad Press. The novel will be on sale in America next in time for Karim’s arrival, although the official launch is scheduled for the 20th October at the Lebanese Embassy at Washington.

Before he left we were able to have a few words with him.

To read our interview with Karim, click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

On Friday, 2nd September, at 7pm, the well known Zgharta author and priest, Father Youhana Makhlouf, will be launching his latest book in Ehden.

To read more about the book and the author, who is believed to be directly related to Patriarch Makhlouf, click on the Full Story tab. The photograph is of the author.

UPDATE NEWS: To see zgharta.com exclusive photographs taken during the launching of Father Youhana Makhlouf's latest book in Ehden click here.

Full Story

On Saturday, Zgharta artist, Paul Farchakh, will be holding his fifteenth exhibition , celebrating twenty years of painting.

To read about Paul’s life and work click on the Full Story tab.
Full Story

Ibrahim Sassine, adopted son of Zgharta and author, known among his friends as “Bob”, had the rare privilege of having an extract of his forthcoming historical novel published in the Lebanese newspaper An Nahar.The novel mixes the historical with the mythological with particular emphasis on the mythological bird of legend, the phoenix.
The extracts appeared over two weeks, 19th June and 16th June 2005 in the newspaper's cultural and artistic pages, together with images of the legendary bird which will appear in the novel.

The extracts can be read through this PDF link.

Bob's first book was published last year and is called "Al-Kenaani al-Awal” (The Kanaanite the Pioneer) which is about the power and legacy of the Kanaano- Phoenician civilization, which the author says was one of the greatest civilizations in the ancient world. He devoted many years researching the subject using the Old Testament and other historical records as his sources for the book.

Well-known Zghartawien and multi-talented, Alexy Joffre Frangieh, is releasing this summer his new album called "Fada Ghayrak ya man". It is a mix of experimental music with musician, Jamil Ghaleb and Elias Rouhban and tracks bundled together with voiceovers of Al Sahhaf and political utterances. His previous music included the successful song, "di3an el zhro" .

Alexy was born in 1978, Zgharta and has a varied career in graphic design, analog and digital sound engineering. He has held many creative positions such as head graphic designer, art director and documentary project manager in North Lebanon and Beirut. He has also created digital art and multi-media exhibitions. Alexy is currently working on a video art DVD.

To see the album cover in full click on the Full Story tab
Full Story

It is perhaps appropriate that at a time when the USA is celebrating part of its own story ("Fourth Of July") that we feature Maggie Macary, an American citizen and Zghartawien, who is a well-known mythologist. She says myths are in effect stories.

Maggie's paternal grandparents, Michael Macary and Nazira nee Finanos were born in Zgharta and she still has second and third cousins there. Her father, John Sarkis Macary, and his seven of his nine brothers were born in Connecticut, USA, after her grandparents immigrated to the USA, sometime around 1915 or so. Her maternal grandparents were born in America, with their parents coming from Batroun.

Of her grandparents, Maggie, only knew her paternal grandmother, Nazira ("my siti") and holds onto her memory rather tightly, she says, recalling the tales Nazira would recount about Zgharta to her.

To read more about Maggie and the importance of family stories click on the Full Story tab. The photograph is of Maggie's grandfather, Michael Macary, taken in 1944,Connecticut.
Full Story

The church bells of Zgharta Zawie rung this early evening announcing the good news that a new Pope had been elected.

Cardinal Ratzinger,who was elected in Conclave today as the 265th Pope,will be known as Pope Benedict XVI.

We are pleased to report that Zgharta author, Karim el Koussa, has signed a publishing deal with American publisher, Cloonfad Press, for his novel "Pythagoras the Mathemagican".

The book will be launched in the USA on 23rd September 2005, with a book tour by Karim, dates to be announced. The book is a historical novel based on the known life of Pythagoras, the first philosopher.

Karim was born in Ehden in 1971 and is a well known writer in Lebanon. His first book, "Reflecting Unitas" was published in 1996. It was followed by "Blooming Planes in 1998 and "Pythagoras The Mathemagican" in 2001, which won the Said Akl Prize in the same year. His fourth book, "Mystery of the Alphabet" was published in 2003. He is currently working on a new novel.

To learn more about Karim and where to purchase his books in Lebanon visit his own web site:

www.el-koussa.zgharta.com

Cloonfad Press are an independent publishing house in New Jersey, USA, whose motto is "thoughtful books for thinking people". They are known for publishing quality books from new authors with something to say. Their titles include both fiction and non fiction, details of which can be found at their web site: www.cloonfadpress.com

 

It seems where Zgharta.com goes others follow. Having reported on Tuesday, in connection with Dr Pierre Zalloua’s forthcoming talk, about the new Difaf Cultural Centre, the Lebanese press has reported on the Centre today.

To read further about the Centre, click on the Full Story tab.

The photo is of the Centre, taken recently by zgharta.com
Full Story

On Friday 4th February, 6pm, at the “Difaf” Culture Centre, Al Mirdashia Zgharta, Dr Pierre Zalloua will give a talk called "Are we Phoenicians"

Dr Zalloua was born in 1965, Zgharta and is married to Aline Naufal . They have a daughter, Yasha Maria. He is Assistant Professor of the American University of Beirut and is a well know writer and speaker at conferences throughout the world. He is particularly known as an expert on the question of the genetic makeup of the Lebanese and populations from the Mediterranean basin where they established colonies. He has also appeared on National Geographic television programmes.The photo is of Dr Zalloua.

The Difaf Centre [meaning the river bank] is a new venue for cultural meetings, the building, having been previously an old mill, was renovated recently.It is located near the Racchine river at Al Mirdashia.It contains seating for some 200 people. Entrance is free and nearby parking is available at the Monastery of Saint Sarkis and Bakhos,Zgharta. The evening is hosted by the Lebanese writer, Mehsen Yammine.

For full details of the evening click here.

Zgharta was featured in an article by Robert Frangieh of Zgharta in the Lebanese national newspaper, Al Anwar, yesterday, 23rd January The article refers to the opening in the summer of a cultural centre at Al Mirdashia, which is on the River Raahine, near Zgharta. The centre is called Tahounet al Mirdashia, Zgharta and was formerly an old mill ["tahounet"] which was renovated due to the financial support of Mr Kabalan Yammine, the President of Salam Zgharta. The opening also celebrated 150th anniversary of the building of the Mar Sarkis and Bakhos Monastery in Zgharta.

The photo is of the millstone from the mill.

To read the article [Arabic] in PDF format click here.

On Saturday 15th January at 5pm ,Marcel Ghanem will give a talk at the Pierre Farshak Hall Municipal Theatre, Zgharta.

The event is organised by the “Maktab Al Mitkhargine Bil Marda Zgharta” ( the graduation students office of the Marada,Zgharta).

Marcel Ghanem is the well known presenter of the Lebanese weekly television political programme, Kalam an-Nas , seen on LBC every Thursday.