Beirut: The “Batroun Capitale de Noël” Committee inaugurated the 2025 Christmas season with a celebration held in the courtyard of Saint Stephan’s Cathedral in Batroun. The event was attended by MP Gebran Bassil along with political, religious, and social figures.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, in his speech, Bassil declared: ‘Batroun as the Capital of Christmas is not just an event, occasion, or season but rather a way of life. Christmas is joy, and Batroun knows how to create joy even in times of sorrow. Today, while our country mourns, people are dying and homes are being bombed, we share the sadness by creating joy.’

MP Bassil invited Lebanese expatriates to visit Batroun and announced that the Lebanese Diaspora Energy (LDE) Conference will be held there on December 30, adding: ‘This city will now compete not only with Lebanese cities, but with cities worldwide.’

He continued: “Batroun is the Capital of Christmas because it welcomes everyone and opens its heart before its doors. It unites
, it doesn’t divide; it grows with those who come to it. We have the tallest and biggest Christmas star and tree. Batroun will be the ‘Star of the North’, and we want to live in peace, not in war.’

Bassil said the people of Batroun are dreaming of what the city can become, aiming to compete with global destinations like Strasbourg (France), Vienna (Austria), Bruges (Belgium), and Copenhagen (Denmark): ‘We are launching the competition this year, and next year it will rise even more.’

The ‘Batroun Capital of Christmas’ festivities will run through January 6, 2026.