"We are proud to bring people together to celebrate the best that Italy has to offer," said Ambassador Giuseppe Morabito.

Organized by the student-run LAU Hospitality Club and overseen by the Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (IHTMS), the event enchanted participants of all ages.

"Our mission is to be part of society and to give people around us the opportunity to express themselves, to live, to laugh and to enjoy life," said LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra.

According to Dr. Said Ladki, head of IHTMS and chair of the Hospitality and Marketing Department, the event proved a successful test for the students. "Every year we explore different aspects of hospitality and tourism. This time we delved into new venture that seems to be a winner. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive."

With live music playing in the background, some wandered around the pasta or Italian tapas stations, while others, sipping nothing less than a limoncello-Arak mix, learned more about unique resorts where they could spend their next vacation.

"For me this is so surprising and exciting," said first-year banking and finance student Nadine Keraidieh who attended with a friend. "It shows that this university is not only about studying, but also about offering opportunities to discover other cultures, to network, to grow."

Serving pasta at one of the stands, Fawzi Aidi, a third-year management major who takes a course in hospitality, agreed: "This is all about PR, marketing and exposure, and it is extremely motivating for us to know that our university is doing what it takes to be the best."

While the buzzing students' faces started to fade with fatigue, their eyes showed overwhelming excitement. "We really worked hard for three straight days to prepare, but it was worth it. Look how happy people are!" said Charlotte Rabbath, an economics student taking a cooking course.

No one put it better than Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Dr. Elise Salem. In an e-mail sent to Dr. Ladki, Salem expressed her profound admiration for the event organizers. "Thank you for transforming our campus last night into an Italian movie set. We felt like privileged actors eating, drinking and socializing with our colleagues while being introduced to the Italian culture."

“I am many people,” she provocatively replies, her whimsical transparency puzzling her questioner.

Every artist is many-sided, much like a Rubik’s cube, says Lina Khoury, stage director and theater instructor in the Department of Communication Arts, and the director of Al Shaghila.

“An artist can be many things and many personages at the same time: creative, rebellious, devilish, good. Versatility is what makes him or her unique,” she notes.

Fittingly, Nakhle is portrayed on stage by a number of thespians — including a male actor, in order to shed light on the sculptor’s masculine side.

Al Shaghila is based on Edward Albee’s play Occupant, which stages an interview with the late American sculptor Louise Nevelson. In Lina Khoury’s version, however, Louise Nevelson is transforms into the fictional — and deceased — Badiaa Nakhle, a Palestinian sculptor who grew up in Tripoli, later settling in Beirut.

Like Occupant, Al Shaghila is structured as a posthumous interview with the sculptor, chronicling her endeavors, failures and accomplishments. Badiaa is dead but her wit and sensibility are pungently alive, even effervescent, as she looks back on her life with nostalgia and sporadic regret.

Badiaa’s versatility is not only the key to her personality; it also suffuses the roles she takes on in her life. She is a daughter, a mother, a lover, a traveler, and an artist, playing each of these roles with varying degrees of mastery.

“Occupant is a play that addresses an artist’s suffering, something we’re not very familiar with,” says Khoury. We like to focus on the artist’s work and fame, but we don’t always know much about what’s happening inside.”

The young Badiaa’s inner conflicts are indeed at the core of Al Shaghila, catalyzing her transformation into an accomplished and renowned sculptor. Flamboyant but authentic, Badiaa reflects on love, art, sex and depression with such candor that it’s almost impossible for the audience not to identify with her.

“Have you ever lived in the 60’s? Have you ever been a Christian Palestinian woman in Lebanon?” Badiaa rhetorically challenges her interviewer. “Then don’t talk to me about simplicity.”

“All artists go through similar phases in their lives, whether it’s depression, promiscuity or the struggle for fame,” says Khoury.

“At the same time, I really wanted to create an oppressed character that the audience could connect with — this is why I chose to make Badiaa a Christian Palestinian woman,” she adds. “We are all outcasts in one way or another.”

To kick off the weeklong festival, a troupe of university-aged dancers, clad in white flowing tops, moved rhythmically across the stage in the Selina Korban Auditorium in a modern dance.

“I’m thankful to be part of an institution that allows creativity to happen,” said Dr. Nadra Assaf, instructor of English and dance in the School of Arts and Sciences at LAU Byblos, after the first performance.

“This festival is the first of its kind in the history of dance in Lebanon,” she added.

LAU Provost Dr. Abdallah Sfeir welcomed the audience, commending the role of dance in a university setting.

“Creativity has to be expressed in more than just a purely academic way,” he said. “Dance keeps the flame of liberal arts living at LAU and fits perfectly with the university’s ‘whole person’ initiative.”

Assaf outlined three main objectives of the festival: to allow the Lebanese dance community members to get to know one another, to offer free classes and workshops from foreign and Lebanese instructors, and to give aspiring artists a platform through which to get feedback.

Hundreds of amateur and professional dancers from LAU and around the country took advantage of classes spanning a range of dance genres, including rumba, break-dance, dabke, salsa, modern dance, hip-hop and ballet.

Workshops included “The 20th Century: A Century for Women in Dance,” “Nutrition for Dancers,” “Physical Therapy for Dancers,” and “Choreography to Express Identity.”

Assaf began organizing the festival 18 months ago with World Dance Day, a UNESCO initiative, in mind. The day is celebrated internationally on April 29.

For Assaf, the festival has been a true labor of love, born out of what she sees as a real need to elevate the place of dance in Lebanese society.

“This isn’t for me or my ego — it’s for my community,” says Assaf, who teaches the only dance course currently available at LAU and also owns her own private, government-licensed dance company.

“We have to get to know each other and put our hands together if we really want dance to go forward,” she adds. “Dance is an important part of any society for many reasons. Most importantly, it gives the youth something to do other than smoke, drink and party.”

Joumana Souaid, 19, an economics major at LAU Byblos, has been dancing for 13 years and thinks the festival was an amazing opportunity for self-expression. “I don’t think dance is encouraged in Lebanon, so this festival is a way for dancers to develop skills and meet each other,” she says.

To celebrate a week of fun and hard work, the festival ended with a dance performance and award ceremony at Patriarch Al-Howayek Theater at Mar Youssef School in Byblos on April 9.

LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra told the audience during the closing event: “We need to make art an integral part of our cultural history … The goal [of this festival] was to raise awareness about dancing and to convince governments of the importance of the introduction of dance in curriculums.”

The feedback from festival instructors and participants has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Assaf, and she has been given the blessing to make it an annual event.

The festival was sponsored by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the LAU Byblos School of Arts and Sciences, in cooperation with the Municipality of Byblos, and Dancewear, one of the largest distributors of dance clothing and equipment in Lebanon.
 

The cafeteria remained closed throughout the summer while work crews equipped the dining hall with a cybercafe, large LCD televisions, new furniture, and a modern layout, among other upgrades.

“We felt that it was critical to provide a friendly space for students, with top-notch food quality and a cybercafe where they can work and research while they eat,” says Roy Majdalani, vice president for Human Resources and University Services that oversaw the project.

Majdalani says they decided to renovate the cafeteria in response to student demands, noting that Byblos students do not have quick access to many other eateries in the town.

“The cafeteria has really become more than just a place to eat,” says Ali Hashem, a civil engineering student who attended the inauguration. “The whole atmosphere has changed with the new setup,” he adds. “It’s now a place where we can study, socialize and feel comfortable — a place that brings us together.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra, LAU president, praised H.E. Solh Hamade and the foundation, which donated about $300,000 to the project, for their ongoing charitable work in Lebanon.

Jabbra said H.E. Solh Hamade was blessed with the “gift of giving, commitment and passion, for a country that needs a lot of passion.” He added: “You are a star … always bright, always shining, always giving hope to those who have almost given up hope in Lebanon.”

H.E. Solh Hamade, who served as the Lebanese Minister of Industry from 2004–2005, addressed students inside the cafeteria during the inauguration ceremony.

“Today, you are at the crossroads of Lebanon’s destiny,” she said, challenging them to respect Lebanon and work to improve the situation in the country.

The cafeteria’s facelift accounts for only half the excitement. The icing on the cake for cafeteria goers is LAU’s new contract with USM Catering to provide a fresh menu for both the Byblos and Beirut campuses.

According to Diane Kiameh, managing director of USM Catering, their dining services were sought after a recent survey by LAU’s Hospitality Services. “The priority for LAU was to offer quality food first, not go after a caterer with the lowest prices,” Kiameh says.

Hundreds of families gathered at LAU Beirut over the June 19–20 weekend for the second annual LAU Fiesta featuring games and entertainment for all ages.

Organized by LAU students and the Beirut Alumni Chapter, this year’s event was themed “FIFA World Cup.” Visitors were invited to watch the football matches projected live on a big screen.

Flags of the nations participating in the World Cup were hung throughout the campus.

Football fans had the flags of their favorite teams painted on their faces.

Fans relax in the shade as they watch a World Cup game.

Like last year, the campus was rocked with live music performances.

The organizers catered to all age groups. Here, children try to putt balls into the hole obstructed by the spinning blades.

A young visitor holds on tight as he attempts to outlast the mechanical bull, a guaranteed crowd pleaser each year.

The braver participants scaled their way up a tall rock climbing wall erected outside Orme-Gray Hall.

Some made harrowing escapes from the top floor of Orme-Gray Hall using a zip-line.

A special area for the youngest of the crowd was set up on the tennis courts featuring a trampoline and bounce houses.

A visitor concentrates on her target at an archery stand.

The fiesta became complete with bungee jumping.

Organizers announce the winners of the raffle held during the event.

The concert was organized by composer, musician and LAU faculty member Joseph F. Khalife, who also composed the music.

Khalife welcomed guests to the event, along with the dean of LAU’s School of Arts and Sciences in Byblos, Professor Fuad F. Hashwa. Together, they thanked all who came from far and near to make it a successful event.

Hashwa reminded everyone of the holiday season that brought the crowds together to celebrate the Christmas concert.

Performer Joumana Medawar, a renowned international singer, known for her many performances in Europe, the United States, Canada and the Gulf countries, was the highlight of the evening accompanied by pianist Marc Abou Naoum.

While Medawar sang the 19 carols and songs, the audience listened with intensity and appreciation to her angelic voice, which reached the audience’s spirit as they sang and hummed along with her.

Medawar first sang five songs in Arabic composed by Khalife: We Hope That Tonight It Will Snow, The Bell of the Night, I Am Praying for You, The Sleeping Baby, and Oh Jesus Who Is Coming, which sparkled the event and turned the auditorium into an atmosphere of unity and love.

Abou Naoum played two musical pieces, one by F. Chopin, Prelude Opus 128, No.4, and the other by J.S. Bach, Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring. These were followed by six Christmas carols in English, also sung by Medawar: O Christmas Tree, Silent Night, White Christmas, Santa Claus, Merry Christmas Everyone, and Minuit Chretiens.

The performance was ended with two songs composed by Khalife, Jesus Is Born and Alleluia, the last song performed by Medawar as the audience applauded with vigor and appreciation.

Dean Hashwa closed the event by thanking all those who attended and helped organize the concert, wishing all a joyous and happy season. He said that, it is such events that bring people together — especially this magical night that united the LAU family.
 

LAU Byblos held a commemorative event on November 25 to mark the 66th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France. Famous Lebanese singer Sami Clark performed the Lebanese national anthem, and a military orchestra played a variety of patriotic songs. The event was organized by the Guidance Office-Byblos in collaboration with four student clubs: the Offre de Joie Club, the Scout Club, the Pulse Club, and the Civic Engagement Club.

Mabele Abi Ramia, president of the Scout Club, raised the Lebanese flag atop a wooden structure constructed by club members.

The military orchestra performed a number of patriotic songs.

LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra planted a cedar tree near the Byblos-campus fountain. Three cedars were planted that day.

Jabbra handed awards to Lebanese Army Lieutenant Antoine Tohmeh who conducted the military orchestra, and singer Sami Clark (center).

Members from the Civic Engagement Club released 12 white pigeons over the campus symbolizing peace.

Cutting of the ceremonial cake at the end of the event.
 

Independence Day show at LAU Beirut

Posted November 20, 2009--

On November 17, five days before Lebanon celebrates its 66th anniversary of independence, soldiers from the Lebanese army's airborne unit put on a show for LAU community members on the Beirut campus. The soldiers performed stunts, crawling down the sides of buildings with ropes and demonstrating fighting techniques. The event drew well over 1,000 spectators who cheered on the soldiers during their performances.

An army band played the national anthem and other patriotic songs before raising the Lebanese flag at the beginning of the ceremony near the upper gate.

The army assembled cables attached from a tank to the roof of Nicol Hall from where soldiers made daring escapes.

A soldier slides down from Nicol Hall.

Soldiers make their way down from Nicol Hall as spectators hang out from windows to observe.

The Safadi Fine Arts Building was one of three buildings that soldiers used to perform stunts.

After climbing down from the Fine Arts Building, the soldiers form a defensive position.

A soldier performs "the spider" move by crawling down the Irwin Hall from one window into the one below.

Soldiers demonstrate different fighting techniques.

Soldiers show how to take on an opponent without using a gun.

 Independence Day will be celebrated on the Byblos campus on November 25.

Students with a taste for adventure had the chance to participate in thrilling activities October 23 on the Byblos campus. LAU’s Extreme Club organized the event for the fifth consecutive year with the help of the Guidance Office–Byblos.
 

 A rock climbing wall was erected outside the cafeteria where students gathered to watch their peers ascend the 20-meter-high structure.

Students took turns, two at a time, climbing their way toward the top of the wall.

There was also a crane lifting students high above the ground from where they made a careful descent using ropes.

A student looks down as she begins her descent from a crane towering over the Byblos campus.

Any student bearing an ID was eligible to participate. Over 50 students took advantage of the events that day which went on from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All necessary safety precautions were taken to ensure the security of all participants and observers.
 

Hospitality management students at LAU’s Beirut campus offered handmade sandwiches, desserts and drinks on October 28 to promote healthy eating. The event, themed “Healthy Eating, Healthy Living,” was held in collaboration with LAU’s Hospitality Management Program and was organized by the Beirut Guidance Office in support of World Food Day which is observed worldwide on October 16.
 

Informative stands and posters about nutrition promoted healthy eating habits.

Passers-by tasted healthy sandwiches made on campus by students taking hospitality management courses.

Passers-by also enjoyed healthy drinks like lemonade and ice tea while they flocked around informative stands, and listened to a live performance by a student band in front of the Safadi Fine Arts Building.

Over 850 cups of fruit salads and light desserts and 1,400 sandwiches were prepared by students taking food preparation and chocolate and pastry courses.

Healthy desserts such as custard and rice pudding were offered to passers-by.

Hospitality management students with event organizers and LAU officers.

Overall nine competitions were held on the Byblos campus: holding up a tree trunk (called "the post"); being timed for pulling up one weight with each hand (called "the resistance"); holding an 80 kg weight in each hand and walking a distance (called "the farmer race"); pulling a truck by a rope; carrying an 80 kg spherical rock from one barrel to another; pushing and pulling a piece of rotating iron in opposite directions (played by teams of two and called "the merry-go-round"); carrying weights while climbing the stairs (called "the power stairs"); arm-wrestling; and flipping a 140 kg wheel four times on different sides (called "flip the wheel").

Each activity was split into different weight categories to ensure fairness: below 80 kg, 80–90 kg, 90–100 kg, and over 100 kg (or open weight). In each of the competitions, participants were given points according to how well they did, and the four winners were revealed by adding the points up.

Moujaes organized the first "Strongest Man" competition in 2002 and said his inspiration for the event came from Scandinavia, where such activities are often held as a form of sports and entertainment. He said he saw how much students were training in the gym and wanted to come up with an event especially for them. A new competition has been added every year in order to "try to make it more hard to compete in," according to Moujaes.

This year, four women participated in the event. Also, a couple of records were set. Johan Maksoud flipped the heavy wheel in 14 seconds and broke the all-time record in that competition. In addition, Firas Sarraj Bashi, a senior business student on the Beirut campus, won the "Strongest Man" title in the open weight category for the third consecutive year. He has been doing bodybuilding for five years and said the sport is not like basketball, soccer or football where one can stop for a while and come back; the athlete must keep working out. He attributed his victories to his genetic properties and daily training. "Not all people can tolerate the time [it takes to train]. You wait a long time and get little results, and often you don't get the results you want," he said.

Because of the intensity of the competitions, a doctor is always present. The contenders are also taught how to compete and how to protect themselves in order to ensure their safety.

The humorous performances of stand-up comedian Nemr Abou Nassar in early March offered members of the LAU community an amusing break. Abou Nassar is known for his stand-up shows, such as his participation in the "Axis of Evil Comedy Tour" in Lebanon.

In Byblos, the audience assembled at the Selina Korban Theatre, and in Beirut an enthusiastic crowd gathered in front of the Safadi Fine Arts Building to watch Abou Nassar's routine.

Besides engaging the crowd in laughter, he also promoted his Casino du Liban shows, the entire proceeds (around $50,000) of which will go to the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon.

Later in the month, a backgammon tournament and a food competition in Byblos allowed students to enjoy themselves not only by being spectators but also by actively participating in competitions.

In the backgammon tournament organized by the Discovery Club in mid-March, students competed with faculty and staff members. They also enjoyed Lebanese coffee served by the club in the area next to the cafeteria.

Students also had fun participating in the sandwich-wrapping and pizza-eating competitions organized by the Campus Life Club a few days ago. A professional chef was present to evaluate the participants, who won prizes in front of a crowd of students gathered near the Science Bridge.

To learn about similar upcoming activities, check out the calendar of events.