NNA - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, represented by Minister of Information Ziad Al-Makari, patronized a ceremony honoring the late novelist and media figure George Farshakh, organized by friends of the late following his recent passing in Paris, at the Municipal Theater - Pierre Farshakh Hall, with a crowd of officials, prominent figures and family members attending. 

In his word of tribute, Minister Al-Makari recalled his years of friendship with the late George Farshakh, as a novelist and person, with the love for the homeland and their Zgharta roots bringing them closer together during their times of residing in the French capital, Paris. "Zgharta brought us together in Paris, and I fully remember our repeated meetings, and how we used to listen with admiration to him talking about Zgharta, Ehden and Lebanon. The relationship developed at that time, and we decided to organize a dinner for the people of Zgharta in Paris, which later became an annual event," he said.

"George was like a mayor for Zgharta in Paris...always initialling his writings and texts as if he had written them in two cities: the city of residence, Paris, and the city of the heart, Zgharta," Al-Makari added.

He paid tribute to the late's intellect and writings about the history of Lebanon, saying, "George was not a mere historian, nor a journalist, nor a novelist, but he was a visionary."

"At a time when we find ourselves at rock bottom, we must return to George's writings to restore hope, for hope is a central theme in his writings," Al-Makari said, quoting one of his excerpts on the subject where he distinguished between false hope and real hope, the hope of real people.

"George Farshakh migrated away from the homeland, but he returned today to give us hope. Hope for a better homeland despite all the hardships of the current stage," Al-Makari asserted.

He concluded by praying for his soul to rest in peace, adding, "It is a great honor for me to bestow upon George Farshakh, in the name of the Lebanese Republic, the Lebanese Silver Medal of Merit, and present it to his honorable family."

During the ceremony, a printed biography of the late novelist including his works and writings was distributed to the attendees.

==========R.Sh.