04 August 2005
CHOUF: A group of around 60 Lebanese expatriates headed towards the Barouk Forest on Tuesday, where cedar trees were planted in their names as part of a Byblos Bank campaign to make expatriates feel closer to their country. The campaign, launched in December 2004, promised that a cedar tree would be planted in the name of any expatriate who opened an account with the bank.
About 200 trees have been planted by the bank so far. "Byblos Bank is encouraging expatriates not only to own a house but to own their roots as well through a cedar, a natural property" said Joumana Chelala, head of marketing, sales and retail products department at the bank.
The group included Lebanese from all over the world, united in patriotism and solidarity.
It was clear that owning a cedar was of great significance to them. "This is our roots," said Elie Dib, who has been living in Dubai for the past eight years.
"It's an honor for me; it allows me to feel that I still have roots here," added Carmen Stamboly, who has been in France since 1988,
"Even if I live in France, a part of my life is here and the cedar tree symbolizes Lebanon in the best way. It is a must that all expatriates remain concerned with Lebanon."
Many more Lebanese from the U.K., Spain, Venezuela, and a host of other countries echoed similar sentiments.
Upon arrival at the Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve, the enthusiastic group was taken for a short walk through the reserve by a charismatic guide who explained the importance of the Barouk forest to Lebanon, and the great need to preserve it.
He emphasized the important natural and cultural heritage of the forest, which holds 24 kinds of tree, of all ages, over 200 different types of birds, and 550 species of plants, most of which are endangered.
The guide ended his talk with the words: "We protect whom we love, we love what we understand, and we understand what we learn" to cheers and applauds from the proud onlookers.
Nisrine al-Hachem, who works in client servicing at Grey Worldwide, the company that handled the advertising and marketing for this event, added "The Barouk has given many things to Lebanon over the years. Mainly the cedars, some of which are thousands of years old, but also Rachid Nakhle, who wrote the Lebanese national anthem, is from here, and the Nahr Barouk distributes water to about 100 villages in Lebanon."
The group was then led to the piece of land where Byblos Bank had planted the trees, and the thrilled owners were able to put up signs baring their names next to their tree. A tree was planted in the name of freedom of speech, as well as one ascribed to Byblos Bank.
Finally, the group made a short stop at the entrance of the reserve where they were able to buy local products such as honey and young cedar saplings, before enjoying a delicious lunch at a Lebanese restaurant in Barouk.
