Evariste

In the heart of the Mediterranean lies a country with the resilience of the cedar and the tumultuous history of ancient crossroads. Once a beacon of financial prosperity and cultural dynamism in the region, Lebanon now grapples with an economic crisis of epic proportions. Once proud and steadfast, the Lebanese pound has faltered, echoing through empty markets and quieted streets.

In this land where the past is a mosaic of civilisations, our present seems dictated by the ebb and flow of economic calamity. The shadows of once-esteemed leaders loom large, cloaked in a guise of virtue, reminiscent of Orwell’s chilling prophecy: “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” Yet, the past they control tells a tale of splendour amidst adversity—a narrative we must reclaim to rewrite our future.

We returned from our exiles, lured by the hope of reviving the Lebanon of our fathers’ tales, of rebuilding a nation that could once again stand proud. The reality we encountered was jarring—a struggle for survival now overshadowed the customs and ethics we held dear. Like an ancient temple, it was as if the very essence of our society crumbled under neglect while new edifices, hollow and fragile, sprouted like weeds in its stead.

However, amidst the cacophony of despair, the roots of our cedar-strong identity persist. They remind us that resilience is etched in our lineage. With each challenge, we can harvest wisdom and sow the seeds of change. It is not enough to lament the loss of what was; we must act decisively to salvage what remains and foster growth.

This is our clarion call: not to return to yesterday’s splendour but to cultivate tomorrow’s promise. In the spirit of Imru’ el Qais, let us not drown in the intoxication of despair. “There will be no alertness today and no drunkenness tomorrow,” he implored. We must heed his counsel, for our alertness today will shape the sobriety of our future.

We stand at the threshold, beholding the potential of a new dawn. Let us draw from our storied past the fortitude to confront our present challenges. Together, we can nurture the foundations for a Lebanon reborn, not from the ashes of what was, but from the resolve and vision of what could be.

In this resolve, we find our call to action—to unite in purpose, to innovate in adversity, and to build, tirelessly, a Lebanon that our children will be proud to inherit. Tomorrow beckons with the promise of a nation restored, a society rebuilt on the enduring pillars of integrity, ingenuity, and hope. This is the Lebanon we strive for, a land where the sun’s rise is matched only by the ascent of its people’s spirits.