São Paulo – A group of 25 Brazilians returned from Lebanon early this month following a root-seeking trip. The trip is arranged once a year by a monk from the Lebanese Maronite Order, Silouanos Chamoun, a native of Lebanon who has been based at the São Charbel parish, in Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, for three years and a half now. The group was in Lebanon from June 27th to July 9th.
“These trips are designed to take Lebanese descendants to Lebanon so they can see their motherland, and to encourage them to apply for Lebanese citizenship. I also take plain Brazilians [of no Lebanese ascent], who have welcomed me so warmly to the land of Santa Cruz, i.e. Brazil, so they will be welcomed in Lebanon just like I was here,” Chamoun said in an interview to ANBA.
The priest also organizes the trips to show the real face of his home country. “I am always eager to tell the whole world that Lebanon is not a land of war, it is a land of peace and joy. The country has been rebuilt several times, and all it wants is life, not death; peace, not war,” he says.
There is no limit to the number of travellers. Last year, for instance, 45 people went on the trip. The group takes collective tours, including visits to tourist and religious sites, a walk on the Sacred Valley Mountain, a day at the beach. “The trip provides an overview of Lebanon and of how the Lebanese live,” says the monk. Each participant also meets their relatives – most of them for the first time.
They also met with the Lebanese-Brazilian Roberto Khatlab, director of the Center for Latin America Studies and Cultures at University Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (Cecal-Usek), who gave a lecture on the Arab country, its history, archaeology, immigration, and the importance of maintaining family ties between Brazil and Lebanon. “Lebanese immigrants and their children are where Lebanon’s great strength lies,” said Khatlab, who is also the author of a Lebanon tour guide in Portuguese.
“It is important for descendants to get to know the culture of their homeland. In Brazil, the descendants are called Lebanese descendants. In Lebanon, they are called Lebanese immigrants. Lebanon has never forgotten them, and the Maronite Church has also immigrated after them to give them support and spiritual sacraments,” said Chamoun, who said he feels responsible for these immigrants and for providing a bridge between them and their country of origin, between Brazil and Lebanon.
In addition to this yearly trip, the monk carries out a series of activities in Campinas pertaining to Arab and Lebanese culture. He teaches music and Aramaic singing, and he has set up a choir which performs in Aramaic. He also teaches Arabic language classes, and he has put together a group of dabke, an Arab folk dance. “After teaching classes and giving lectures, the next step was encouraging these people to go to Lebanon, the land of Cedar and Saint Charbel,” says Chamoun.
The date for the next trip, due next year, has not been set yet. According to the priest, there are people interested in spending the New Year in Lebanon, and this possibility is being considered. The trip is non-profit, therefore prices are not high. Tickets vary from one airline and travel agency to another, but this year, for instance, costs excluding airfare have amounted to US$ 1,300. The sum includes lodging, three meals, transportation, and tickets to tourist spots. The Lebanese Maronite Order helps with expenses, and that makes the trip cheaper.
Contact:
Monk Silouanos Chamoun
Paróquia São Charbel – Campinas – SP
Telephone: (55 19) 3266-7222
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
