Beirut: The National Library – Sanayeh hosted the “Trails and Tales” event, a cultural initiative organized by the European Union in Lebanon. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the event was attended by Alessandra Vetters, Head of the Cooperation Department at the EU Delegation to Lebanon, and Gelnare Atoui Saad, Executive Director of the National Library, who represented the Ministry of Culture at the launch of the event, which aims to foster a sense of belonging among Lebanese youth to their community.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Atoui stated that the cultural heritage initiative is designed to empower Lebanese youth to learn about, protect, promote, and take pride in their heritage. This initiative aligns with the European Union’s commitment to supporting comprehensive cultural initiatives led by youth and protecting heritage as a shared human value, as well as the Ministry of Culture’s objectives in this area.
She further remarked on the hope that this event will be the first step in many future cultural initiatives to be implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the European Union. Vetterz expressed her satisfaction with the event, which successfully brought together young men and women from various Lebanese regions, commending their dedication and cultural sensitivity in conveying and preserving regional heritage for future generations.
The Initiative
This initiative is part of the EU Neighbours South project, led by Joumana Brihi, which brought together a group of Lebanese youth from all governorates to create the Trails and Tales initiative. The European Union plays a pivotal role in the initiative, focusing on empowering youth and educating them about the importance of cultural heritage and its protection. The EU’s support is rooted in its commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and exchange between peoples, providing financial and technical assistance for training activities and workshops targeting youth across Lebanon.
Furthermore, the EU’s involvement includes fostering interaction with local communities, especially those rich in cultural heritage, to engage them in documentation and preservation efforts. It also links the initiative to similar projects in the region, facilitating the exchange of expertise and enhancing local capacities in heritage protection.
The “Paths and Tales” program exemplifies a successful partnership model between cultural institutions and international organizations, aiming to transmit heritage to new generations through modern and participatory methods.