Caretaker Minister of Industry, MP George Boushkian, announced today that “the heart of Beirut is beating again by regaining the attraction of cultural, educational, economic and sports activities, festivals and conferences, and with the participation of the Lebanese people in a spirit of joy, hope and confidence in the Lebanon of tomorrow.”

He said: “Today’s Beirut Marathon, in which young women and men run with determination and will, putting concerns and problems behind them, is a demonstration of how the Lebanese are not relentless or weak. They always look to the future with a positive spirit.”

Boushkian added that today’s marathon event was preceded by reviving the Vinifest Exhibition for Lebanese winemakers, and other activities in the capital and elsewhere, including the revived Apple Festival, and the participation of Lebanese manufacturers in the SIAL exhibition in Paris.

He expressed his hope that these celebrations would spread across all regions, calling on municipalities, civil society and the private sector to “enthusiastically take initiative and prepare for the upcoming national and religious occasions, be it the anniversary of Independence Day, or Christmas and New Year’s Day….as the Lebanese will welcome and mingle with fellow Lebanese expatriates and Arab and foreign tourists who plan on spending their holidays next month in Lebanon, so that all of Lebanon will come alive, and the Lebanese will light their hearts, squares and trees with the joy of the holidays, in faith and happiness.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon