New Zealand's Lebanese community will celebrate its
integration into New Zealand society and its connections to
Lebanon with a gathering in Dunedin in October.
Cedars of Lebanon Club president Richard Joseph said that
between 1860 and 1900, thousands of Lebanese left their
country seeking economic opportunities in New Zealand.
Many came to Dunedin.
"The Lebanese migrants that came to this country at the turn
of last century are now fully integrated into the community."
A Labour Weekend event, the "Gathering", would recognise
their contribution to the region and help preserve remnants
of the culture, Mr Joseph said.
"Ancestry is very important to us."
About 500 to 600 people were expected to attend the
Gathering, including people from the UK and Australia.
Events over the weekend included the ceremonial planting of a
cedar, the national tree of Lebanon, and a tour of the
"Lebanese precinct" in Dunedin - a block bounded by Carroll,
Maitland, Stafford and Hope Sts. An exhibition at the Dunedin
Town Hall would include family photographs and a feature on
Khalil Gibran, who wrote The Prophet and came from the same
village, Becharie, as many of Dunedin's Lebanese.
A highlight of the weekend would be a black tie ball at the
town hall.
The Gathering was an opportunity to honour the efforts of the
Lebanese community's ancestors, but at the same time face the
reality of a culture that had become "diluted", Mr Joseph
said.
"We need to think about what we want our community to be in
the next five to 10 years, so we don't just fade out over
time.
"It's now time for the younger generation to take the reins."
- Rebecca Ryan
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