Green Cedar Lebanon celebrated the 2019 International Day of Forests in an exceptional and innovative way by organizing an exhibition titled “Draw Me a Cedar” (Dessine moi un Cèdre). The event sponsered by Banque du Liban, honored the cedar tree, which is a symbol of Lebanon’s national flag and one of the most ancient and rich tree species in the world. However, the cedar is seriously endangered due to climate change.
The exhibition took place at Le Yacht Club in Zaitunay Bay, Beirut, on Sunday, March 24, 2019, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event was attended by a large number of environmental advocates, officials, diplomats, artists, and media representatives.
The exhibition showcased a diverse collection of unique artworks created by fifty-seven Lebanese and international artists, all of whom drew inspiration from the cedar tree.
Proceeds from the sale of these artworks were allocated to the reforestation of a barren land area in Kfardebian, Mount Lebanon, designated by the Kfardebian Municipal Council for transformation into a cedar forest. This initiative contributed to increasing green spaces and restoring cedar trees across a wider area of Lebanese land.
The participating artists painted, sculpted, and created artistic pieces based on their unique interpretations of the Lebanese cedar tree. Their works were put up for sale, and the revenue was dedicated to planting the forest, which was named “The Artists’ Forest.” Each artist was honored with a cedar tree named after them.
On this occasion, the President of Green Cedar Lebanon, Pascale Choueiry Saad, “This initiative would not have been possible without the efforts of a large group of people who strongly believe in the need to protect Lebanon’s forests and cedar trees.
Green Cedar Lebanon collaborated with the Association for Forests, Development, and Conservation (AFDC), which undertook the planting, care, and maintenance of the newly established forest. The forest spanned 10,000 square meters, with around 1,000 cedar trees planted.
About Green Cedar Lebanon
Green Cedar Lebanon was founded in 2010 by Pascale Choueiry Saad and Lara Hanna Debs with the goal of highlighting the importance of preserving Lebanon’s forests in general and the cedar tree in particular. Over the past decade, the association has carried out numerous initiatives aimed at reforesting barren lands across Lebanon. Green Cedar Lebanon continues to pursue its vision of fostering a healthy green environment amid worsening environmental issues and increasing pressure on natural resources.
Participating Artists in the Exhibition:
Lodi Abi Lamaa, Raed Abi Lamaa, Lamia Maria Abi Lamaa, Samer El Amin, Ziad Antar, Youssef Aoun, Salim Atieh, Ghazi Bakr, Carla Baz, Sarah Beydoun, Bokja, Nevine Bouez, Karim Chaya, Serene Chaya, Marc Diba, Fouad El Khoury, Georgi Gatsirla, Clara Gibran, Rawia Ghandour Zantout, Emmanuel Guiragossian, Manuela Guiragossian, Hawini Harir, Nada Karam, Rabih Kayrouz, Layal Khoury, Bassam Kareilos, Karen Latif, Janan Maki Bashou, Cherine Moktari, Mohamed Moktari, Marlene Massoud, Rasha Noam, Claude Messir, Georges Mohassab, Roger Merkzel, Alya Muznar, Salim Muznar, Nabil Nahas, Norma Nassif, Louma Rabah, PK Architects, Rudy Rahme, Hania Reiss, Raouf Rifai, Nayla Romance Elia, Elie Saab, Sandra Sahioun, Tessa Sakhi, Tara Sakhi, Karma Salman, Lina Shama, Ibrahim Soltani, Raffi Tokatlian, Mona Yazbek, Tom Young, Ghassan Zard, Nelly Zeidan.