Bourj Hammoud

On Friday, the 19^th of November 2010, at 10:00 AM, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School and Technical College students were gathered in the schoolyard to celebrate the Lebanese Independence Day.

The school administration and the teachers as well as members of the school parents’ committee were present at the ceremony.

The ceremony began with the school choir’s performance of the Lebanese and Armenian national anthems. Then, the choir performed also two more songs.

After that, the opening speech of the ceremony was made in Armenian and Arabic by the 12^th grade students Mariam Seraydarian and Tania Dib. They said « Lebanon is a country of small area but it is not unknown to the world. For 67 continuous years, it was our country with its very different cultural heritages. Today, it is one of the first commercial, educational and cultural centers among the other countries.

By spilling blood to regain its independence, Lebanon is also the homeland of the Armenians living in Lebanon. Today is a feast day for us too. Happy Independence Day to all of us! Long Live Lebanon! ».

By continuing the program, a group of students from the KG3 class made an interesting show by presenting a live image of the Lebanese army’s life.

Then, the school Principal Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, who was the lecturer of the day, made a speech by saying « Lebanon is life and we belong to that group of lucky Armenians whose grandfathers, by escaping Genocide, were able to dwell and to put down roots in this country ». By continuing his speech, the school principal said to the audience « We owe many things to Lebanon, this unlike homeland that we love and to which we are obliged as Armenians. Dear students, you are the future owners of this country, therefore protect this homeland by always being obliged to it ».

After the principal’s speech, the students of Mesrobian recited poems, in Arabic, Armenian and French, dedicated to Lebanon.

The ceremony ended with the performance of the school guitarists’ band.