Düsseldorf, Germany—A young German woman who moved to Lebanon as a child was the speaker at a program about Lebanese culture.
Arriving at the UPF offices, the guests were greeted by the sound of Lebanese music and the aroma of fresh herbs, stimulating their interest and curiosity.
The Düsseldorf chapters of UPF and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), an affiliated organization, held the program jointly on July 16, 2017.
Natascha Schellen, who moved with her family to Lebanon as a child and went to school there, started her presentation by showing some pictures of the natural beauty of that country.
She delivered an enthralling talk about the culture of Lebanese: its history, architecture, literature, and politics.
Among the facts that she conveyed: Lebanon lies on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean and shares borders with Syria and Israel. It is only about 1/35 the size of Germany. A cedar tree, the national symbol of Lebanon, is depicted on the red and white national flag. There are 18 recognized religious organizations, of which most are Christian Maronites or Sunni and Shi’a Moslems.
Ms. Schellen’s enthusiastic description and photos of Lebanese cuisine, including falafel, tabbouleh and baklava, whetted the guests’ appetite for the Lebanese buffet that awaited them after the presentation.
But first, there was Lebanese dancing, and Ms. Schellen demonstrated a traditional dance in which one stands in rows and holds hands while one’s feet move with the rhythm of the music.