December 2023 witnessed two remarkable events hosted by the World Lebanese Cultural Union Sydney Inc., bringing together the community to celebrate Lebanese culture and honor literary excellence. One event, “An Evening with Gibran,” paid tribute to the iconic Lebanese American author Kahlil Gibran on the 100th anniversary of the publication of his masterpiece, “The Prophet.” The other event, the Dr Charles Malik Literary Award Competition, recognised outstanding writers who penned essays with a Lebanese theme.

An Evening with Gibran: A Centennial Celebration

On Saturday, December 2, the World Lebanese Cultural Union Sydney Inc. transported over 350 attendees into the world of Kahlil Gibran with “An Evening with Gibran.” The event marked the 100-year milestone of “The Prophet,” a literary masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on readers worldwide.

The evening unfolded with a journey through four significant locations in Gibran’s life: Lebanon, Boston, Paris, and New York. Attendees were treated to a meticulously crafted four-course menu, each dish representing the culinary delights of these iconic cities. A multimedia presentation featuring videos and music from these locations immersed the audience in Gibran’s cultural influences.

A highlight of the night was a captivating performance of Gibran’s play, ‘Lazarus and His Beloved,’ bringing his words to life on stage. The event featured two insightful interview segments, with former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks AC providing his insights as the Patron of The Kahlil Gibran Gallery. Additionally, renowned journalists Antoine Azzi and Glen Kalam Habib shared their expertise on Gibran’s works.

Lebanese spirits flowed freely, with an array of beverages, including Gibran’s favorite drink, arak, as well Almaza beer and Lebanese red and white wines.  Attendees discovered a booklet on their tables containing summaries of Gibran’s books in English and Arabic, along with a collection of over 250 quotable quotes, put together by our President Dr Shane Geha. The evening also included an auction and raffle with prizes contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. All funds raised on the night will be donated to those in need of aid in Lebanon.

Dr Charles Malik Literary Award: Inspiring Excellence in Writing

2023 was the second year that WLCU Sydney Inc. hosted the Dr Charles Malik Literary Award Competition, an annual event named in honor of Dr Charles Malik, the first United Nations Ambassador for Lebanon. This international essay writing competition aims to recognise outstanding literary contributions on any given topic inspired by Lebanon.

This year’s competition included over a dozen entries with prizes generously donated by Montblanc. Montblanc, known for its Meisterstück writing instruments, presented each winner with a Montblanc Meisterstück Platinum Coated Ballpoint Pen valued at $700 and engraved with their name. In addition to the prestigious pens, the second prize winner received $1000, and the first prize winner was awarded $1500, recognising and encouraging their outstanding literary achievements.

The deserving winners of the competition were:

• First Prize: “Moo For A Better Tomorrow” by Wael (William) Khalil Manoun
• Second Prize: “Dear Mr Gibran” by Chadielle Fayad
• Third Prize: “The Lebanese Emigrant” by John Abi-Saab

Dr Charles Malik – supporting a book in his legacy

WLCU Sydney are supporting the publishing of a book on Dr Charles Malik, one of Lebanon’s greatest sons who played a significant role on the world stage. The funding of the book commenced in December 2023 after six months of negotiations with various parties.

In June 2023 WLCU Sydney was approached by Dr Habib Malik, the son of the late Dr Charles Malik, requesting financial aid to publish an intellectual biography of Charles Malik, to be written and published in English. Charles Malik, as briefly defined by his son Dr Habib Malik: “My father initially trained in the basic sciences, he was a philosopher who studied under two of the 20th century’s leading thinkers of the Western world (Whitehead and Heidegger), he was a diplomat, international statesman, Christian thinker and ecumenist, and principal framer of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arguably the most important international document of the last century. To date, there is no comprehensive scholarly study of the intricate development of this man’s thought and convictions and how these shaped his numerous contributions on the world stage.”

WLCU Sydney have committed to a multi-year funding of this valuable project and are excited that there will be an authoritative account of Dr Malik’s work. We expect this fascinating story will make an interesting read and will be accessible to the general public. Currently we have two Lebanese Australian families that have contributed to the first installment of the book with us. We would welcome any other support. Please contact us for further information on: info@wlcusydney.org.au

These three events showcased the World Lebanese Cultural Union of Sydney Inc.’s commitment to preserving Lebanese culture, fostering intellectual discourse, honoring literary excellence, and promoting the Lebanese brand in the wider community. These celebrations served as a testament to the rich heritage and creative spirit of the Lebanese community and the book on Dr Charles Malik will showcase his contribution to the world.