The Fourth Christian Song Festival in El- Batroun: Hymns That Praised The Lord and Lit Up a Path To Heaven
For the fourth consecutive year, The May Your Will Be Done Association organized its three-day Christian Song Festival on August 26th, 27th and 28th. The festival was announced in a press conference held at the Catholic Media Center in the presence of several media agencies. Fr. Abdou Abou Kassem commended the festival noting that the members of the MYWBD association by glorifying the Lord have taken it upon themselves to, help other people live a life closer to God and spread love and peace. He also called on the Christian youth to join this association that relies on God’s will and providence, in this way we can be the messengers of love and peace. Fr. Abou Kassem thanked all the media companies for their support and coverage of this event.
On the first day of the festival, Ms. Rosine Saab, president of the association, welcomed all attendees and affirmed that everyone’s presence here, for the fourth year in a row, is clear evidence of the work of the Holy Ghost and the spirit of God within the MYWBD Association; and that despite all the challenges we will always quote Peter the profit saying: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.She also thanked both the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for their support and for listing this festival, for the first time ever, on the list of Lebanese Touristic and Cultural Events.
The opening night of this annual event was a special one presented by Joumana Mdawar who sang Hymns composed by Joseph Khalifeh accompanied by the musician Mark Abou Naoum. The Ceremony was attended by, MonsenieurMounir Khairallah representing His Excellency Patriarch Mar Bechara Botrous Al Raii, the Head of the Capuchin Congregation in the Far East Fr. Toni Haddad and several prominent officials, men of the cloth, reporters, and heads of associations and society members. At the end of the memorable night Miss Rosine Saab presented trophies as a token of appreciation to the Head of the Batroun Municipality Mr. Marcelino Al Hirk, Lebanon Chemicals represented by its CEO Mr. Shafic Rbeiz, Hannoush Conceptions represented by its GM Mr. Joseph Hannoush for their continuous support of the festival. Furthermore, appreciation trophies were also presented to Ms. Joumana Mdawar, Musician Mark Abou Naoum and composer Joseph Khalifeh. Prior to Ms. Mdawa’s recital, a documentary was shown highlighting her contributions and support of this association throughout the years.
On the second night of this festival, Monseniour Mansour Labaki blessed this event with his hymns and usual sermons that turned the evening into a night of prayer and contemplation.At the end of the evening, a trophy was awarded to the Monseniour while presenting a special documentary of his professional journey that has spread over more than half a century.
The third and final night echoed with the performance of the chanter Ayman Kafrouni accompanied by the Intisar Choir. Their performance was so breathtaking the audience was carried away with the beautiful hymns and the lovely voices, and joined Ayman in his spiritual recital in glorifying the lord. At the end, the chanter was awarded with the association’s trophy and a documentary about his spiritual and artistic journey was presented.
Additional trophies were presented to Fr. Abdou Abou Kasem head of the Catholic Media Center, Tele Lumier represented by the Producer Mr. Edmond Saadeh who has covered this festival for the past four years, Fr. Andre Rizkallah representing the Capuchin congregation, the media person Elie Hawshan, The poet Marlene Saadeh, Director Toni Saadeh, and Sound Engineer Toni Bassil. These trophies were presented as a token of appreciation for all their efforts that lead to the success of this event.
The raffle draw was the closing activity of the festival.
