Lebanese Cultural Garden Groundbreaking Cleveland Ohio May 4, 2019
Phase 1 of the plans to create a Lebanese Cultural Garden, part of the chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens, took place on Saturday May 4, 2019 with a ceremonial groundbreaking event.
Lebanese Cultural Garden
Pierre Bejjani, Chairman of the American Lebanese Community Council told the story of how Lebanese Cultural Garden, part of the chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens, came about. He said "The dream has become a reality."
Pierre Bejjani
Pierre Bejjani introduced Monsignor Peter Karam of Saint Maron Church in Cleveland and Imam Ramez Islambouli of Case Western Reserve University who gave their blessing and thoughts on the groundbreaking.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Monsignor Peter Karam of Saint Maron Church
Imam Ramez Islambouli and Pierre Bejjani
Pierre introduced Omar Maalouf, Vice President of World Lebanese Cultural Union North America, who came in from California and spoke.
Omar Maalouf, Vice President of World Lebanese Cultural Union North America
Pierre then spoke of the legacy of the Lebanese Cultural Garden, part of the chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens. He then introduced Alex Lackey who represented Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and presented a proclamation.
Alex Lackey and Pierre Bejjani
Several other speakers gave their remarks including Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack, Seven Hills Mayor Richard Dell'Aquila and Cultural Garden Federation President Dr. Wael Khoury.
Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack
Seven Hills Mayor Richard Dell'Aquila and Pierre Bejjani
Cultural Garden Federation President Dr. Wael Khoury
***
Stay informed about the local Lebanese community by signing up for the free Lebanese eNews mailings. You can select other specific groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free Lebanese eNews.
***
Next, Fahim Gemayel, Owner of Lakeland Management Systems spoke. Gemayel has been involved with the landscaping of several of the cultural gardens.
Fahim Gemayel
The Consul General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine came in from Detroit for the groundbreaking event of the Lebanese Cultural Garden and shared her thoughts.
Consul General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine and Pierre Bejjani
Pierre Bejjani, Consul General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine, Fahim Gemayel, Alex Lackey, Councilman Kerry McCormack, Dr. Wael Khoury, Tony Abdulkarim, Faris Alameh and others posed with shovels at the groundbreaking event of the Lebanese Cultural Garden.
Ceremonial groundbreaking at the Lebanese Cultural Garden
Enjoy these other images from the Ceremonial Groundbreaking at the Lebanese Cultural Garden.
Pierre Bejjani, Consul General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine and Omar Maalouf, Vice President of World Lebanese Cultural Union North America
The next generation
Former Lebanese Garden Chair Natalie Ronayne
Crowd at the ceremony
Sawssan Khoury and Sheila Murphy Crawford
Cultural Garden Federation members
Mayor Dell'Aquilla, Fred Bourjaily, Murat Rabah, Pierre Bejjani and Faris Alameh
Lebanese Cultural Garden board members with Councilman Kerry McCormack
Sawssan Khoury, Mrs Khoury, Tony Abdulkarim and Wael Khoury
Alex Lackey, Consul General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine, Omar Maalouf and Pierre Bejjani
Group photo in Lebanese Cultural Garden
Lebanese Cultural Garden
Congratulations to the Lebanese community on their efforts to achieve Phase 1.
***
Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as this? Sign up for the free eNews and every Wednesday morning you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.
