Mexico City:The "11th International Conference of Writers and Readers for Lebanon" was organized by the Center for Studies on Lebanese Diaspora and Migration (CEDRAL) in Mexico City. This event, held in cooperation with the Lebanese Center in Mexico, brought together delegations from Lebanon, Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United States, and various Latin American countries. The conference was described as a significant diplomatic, academic, and cultural connection between Lebanon and its diaspora in Latin America.
Accourding to National news agency - Lebanon, the conference paid special tribute to Charles Malik, a notable Lebanese Ambassador and thinker, on the 120th anniversary of his birth. This was in recognition of his contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
CEDRAL's President shared a message from Lebanon's Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh, who expressed gratitude to the center and its partners for their efforts in preserving Lebanese culture abroad. Salameh emphasized that the gathering was more than just a literary event; it was a bridge connecting Lebanon with its diaspora, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.
The opening ceremony was attended by Lebanon's Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. George El Jallad, and other notable figures including Dr. Jorge Serio Salomon and Engineer Wassim Mobeid. The conference included speeches and presentations emphasizing the cultural and historical ties between Lebanon and its global diaspora.
Colombian writer Ana Cecilia Juri Feghali, of Lebanese descent, delivered a poignant testimony reflecting on her roots and the legacy of Charles Malik. She highlighted the challenges faced by Lebanon today and the enduring spirit of the Lebanese people.
The conference sessions covered various topics, including migrant identity, Lebanese heritage, and the literary contributions of well-known Lebanese figures. Discussions also explored the influence of geopolitical conflicts on Lebanon and the contributions of the Lebanese diaspora.
The event concluded with a call for the creation of a network of Lebanese diaspora writers and the establishment of the Charles Malik Prize for Thought, with plans for the next conference to be held in Beirut in 2028, depending on security conditions.
Certificates were distributed to participants, and a tribute was made to Charles Malik and other diaspora figures. The conference culminated in a dinner celebrating CEDRAL's 16th anniversary, with a collective call for peace in Lebanon and the continued use of culture as a bridge for peace.