Report: Antoinette Shalita
Translated by Aline Aoun

NNA - Hasroun is the rose of the mountain and bride of the resorts in the district of Beshari. Its unique location on the edge of Qannoubine valley and the roofs of its homes which are made of bricks, attract the viewer from a distance and invite the viewer to visit and enjoy its beauty.
This village offered for the region and Lebanon sage and wise men. It is the village of patriarchs, bishops and writers. From here, we must return to the roots of this breathtaking village and highlight the important phases of its history.
The history of the village goes back to the history of its sons, the Maronites, who had lived in this geographical part of north Lebanon, and settled in the "Sacred Valley".

Families

Hasroun's families are: Awad , Semaani , Hourani, Maarbis, Farah, Jbara, Hakim, Sayyed, Abdo, Merhib, Bou Nassar, Souma, Chakour, Beit Touma, Beit Assaf, Matta, Laba, Naiim and Chalita.

Immigration

Its people are spread in all parts of the world from America to Africa and Australia. They seek to migrate to achieve their dreams and build their future, to later return to their homeland to continue their lives in it.
Hasroun citizens are famous of their faith and deep piety, and are the masters of art, hospitality and reception. They love life and evolution without abandoning their originality and preserving the Lebanese heritage and glories.

Population

Its population is estimated by five thousand people in the summer while in the winter the number drops to 2000.

Roads

Hasroun is reached through several roads: From Beirut - Chekka - Hadath el Jebeh, or Ehden - Beshari , or through the Bekaa : Deir el Ahmar Aynata Arz then Beshari.

Its characteristics

This village in the district of Beshari is characterized by its large size, and the names of its neighborhoods. It extends upwards and touches the mountain, and goes all the way to the bottom and reaches Qannoubine Valley. It constitutes a vital artery that links it to the capital of the district and a bridge to important places: Bqaakafra, the town of Saint Charbel, Khalil Jebran Museum, Kadisha Cave and Cedar forest.

Its important location which overlooks Qannoubine Valley makes it a destination for guests. It is also close to the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Diman.
"Glass window cafes" still spread along its main street till today, and attract men who come to play cards.

Summer in Hasroun

Hasroun town enjoys a healthy climate. Its unique position overlooks the valley, while the majority of people who reside in it in summer are from Tripoli.

It is said that former Prime Minister Najib Mikati has dear memories in this region, where he used to ride his bike to Diman and practice his favorite hobby.

The first pharmacy which was opened in the region was owned by late Joseph Boustani, who was known as "the doctor of the region."
As well, a cinema was established in Hasroun. Young men and women used to watch cinema coming from near villages.

Hasroun also had its own "call center" which still exists to allow the people to stay in touch with the outside world.

Fuel stations have been established in Hasroun, in addition to the old mill which still exists nowadays.

The political work is not new for the residents of Hasroun. The lawyer and university professor, Antoine Maarbis, had been nominated to the parliamentary elections during the period of the war but did not win; also, the late Edmond Awad and Tawfik Awad have been nominated, but did not win the parliamentary elections too.

Saint Jude

Hasroun Village celebrates Saint Jude day the last Sunday of September of every year. Saint Jude is one of the apostles of Christ and the relative of Jesus and Mary. Saint Jude did lots of miracles.

Three churches have the name of St. Jude in north Lebanon, in Bshanin, Bursa, Akkar and the most important archaeological church is that of Hasroun.

Temples and shrines

Hasroun has a lot of historic shrines, like the shrine of Saint Thomas, the shrine of Saint Michael, and the shrine of St. James.

These three shrines are in the bottom of the town. There is also a shrine on the top of the mountain that holds the name of Saint Simeon, and a famous shrine known as the "mother of wonders "near the Church of Our Lady.
Hasroun has at least 4 patriarchs, 17 bishops and 42 priests and a nun.

Municipality

Hasroun Municipality plays an important and prominent role in the rebirth of the village, and highlights its historical and cultural value through several activities, including the annual dinner during the summer to revive the heritage by providing Lebanese food prepared by Hasroun's women, as well as celebrations which are held several times each summer.

During the period of Christmas and New Year the municipality holds celebrations and offers gifts to the children, and the population feels that they are not abandoned in the winter.

The municipality encourages sport activities in summer. Also, it seeks to provide a stadium to allow the younger generation to exercise their favorite sports and enjoy the view of their charming town.

In winter, the municipality removes snow in order to facilitate the movement of traffic.

The municipality provides assistance to schools: Antonine, Azarieh, official and technical schools.

The municipal police are the watchful eye day and night to ensure the comfort of the citizens by facilitating the movement of traffic, especially on special occasions, holidays and the end of the weekend.

A gendarmerie station is found in Hasroun to facilitate the lives of people in collaboration with the Municipal Council.

Hasroun's municipality has established two parks, the first near the shrine of Saint Jude, and the second on the banks of Almashrawi River.

On the other hand, the municipality is making a new study to set up a lake. The studies have been made awaiting the execution once the funding sources are available.

Municipality head

The municipality head Jude (Laba) Awad stressed the need to set up ponds because of the shortage in drinking water, especially during the summer, adding that the municipality is preparing a study for the establishment of a third pool.

Three years ago, a lake was inaugurated in Hasroun outskirts with 3 villages in the district in Bqaakafra, Bkerkasha, and Bzon, to help farmers irrigate their crops with the contribution of the Union of Municipalities of the district and in collaboration with the region's Deputies, Strida Geagea and Elie Keyrouz.
Awad added that the municipality encouraged the movement of construction and sought the means to secure the necessary licenses within the required standards to maintain Hasroun's feature.

"The municipality cooperates with the Union of Municipalities of the district to maintain human existence in this region and to ensure the minimum requirements to keep residents in their homes and iron out the idea of fleeing," he said.

Awad asserted that the deputies of the region have contributed to the distribution of the amount of $150,000 provided by the Kuwait Fund for each municipality in the villages of the district to help farmers.

"The municipality worked to boost the infrastructure and strengthened the electricity network of the old one and set up a new network. It has also replaced the old cables with new ones in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy," the municipality head said.

He praised the "fruitful cooperation with the Union of Municipalities of the district to create a clean environment and create job opportunities to prevent its residents from fleeing."

Makhlouf

The head of the Union of municipalities, Elie Makhlouf, said that the subject of sanitation is a priority, adding "we seek along with the French delegation under the supervision of the French Ambassador Patrice Paoli to find a fruitful solution to this problem."

He pressed the need to protect the valley and prevent its infringements and rehabilitate its entrances.

He pointed that the union would seek to build two athlete stadiums in each of Bqaakafra and Abdin, in addition to the establishment of Hadchit Lake.
Hasroun the "Mountain Rose" has written for history letters of gold, and a life filled with dignity, wealth and splendor to remain a model for the Lebanese villages.

==================A.A.M/R.H.