We are very pleased to host a book signing for the rediscovered works of writer and early patriot Chekri Ganem. Considered the father of Lebanese literature in the French language, Ganem was also a prominent political figure and acclaimed author in late 19th-century Paris—his play Antar was met with great success. He later became a key advocate for the creation of an independent Lebanon, tirelessly defending its cause at the Paris Peace Conference following the First World War.

A roundtable discussion, held under the high patronage of Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, will explore Ganem’s literary and political legacy. It will feature Christian Taoutel, Head of the Department of History and International Relations and curator of the archives at Saint Joseph University of Beirut; Ghada Chreim, Professor of French Literature at the Lebanese University and former Minister of the Displaced; Nidal Haddad, publisher at Calima Artliban; and Michel Edmond Ghanem, great-grandnephew of Chekri Ganem, author of the book and president of the Association of the Friends of Chekri and Halil Ganem.

Thursday, July 24 at 6:00 PM.